Safety and adherence of Umezu polyphenols in the Japanese plum (Prunus mume) in a 12-week double-blind randomized placebo-controlled pilot trial to evaluate antihypertensive effects

Abstract

Objectives Medications or lifestyle changes to prevent or improve hypertension often press considerable efforts on patients suffering from mild hypertension. Capsules including Umezu polyphenols (UP), polyphenols in Japanese plums, may help them to control their blood pressure (BP). The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of UP on BP and its safety. Methods A total of 15 healthy workers without antihypertensive medication who had some concerns about their BP, preferably normal-high BP or hypertension level 1, were randomized in a double-blind manner into UP ingesting and placebo groups. Each subject was instructed to take four capsules daily for 12 weeks (daily UP dose, 800 mg for the UP ingesting group; and 0 mg for the placebo group). These subjects were followed for 12 weeks, and their BP both at home and at the examination site, as well as self-perceived quality-of-life outcomes and possible side effects, was monitored during that period. Group 9 time interactions on BP changes were examined. Results All of the 15 subjects completed the 12-week intervention trial. The BP changes did not significantly differ between the UP ingesting and placebo groups, neither at the examination site nor at home. But during the study period, no adverse effects were observed. Conclusions No remarkable effect of UP on BP was observed. However, a higher dose of UP was confirmed safe and high in adherence in this 12-week randomized controlled trial. Its effect on BP and other outcomes shall be confirmed in a larger sample.

Antimicrobial Activity of the Phenolic Compounds of <i>Prunus mume</i> against Enterobacteria

“…Since UP is confirmed safe for animals and humans, it should be considered as a good food source that lacks toxicity. 19,20) Acknowledgments This work was supported by research Grants from the Regional Innovation Strategy Support Program (Wakayama Kihokukichu Area) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan and also by Heisei 27 and 28 year (FY2015 and FY2016) research Grants from the Kishu-Tanabe Ume Promotion Committee. The authors wish to acknowledge Dr. Ryoichi Araki, Associate Professor of Faculty of Education, Wakayama University, for his help in interpreting the significance of the results of this study.…”

Mumefural Improves Blood Flow in a Rat Model of FeCl3-Induced Arterial Thrombosis

“…Dietary supplements such as ginkgo biloba, resveratrol, quercetin, curcumin, catechin, and omega-3 fatty acids are known to inhibit platelet activation [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ]. In recent decades, Prunus mume fruit extracts (PMFE) has been reported to have various health benefits [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ], including improvements of blood flow [ 14 ] and inhibition of platelet aggregation [ 15 ]. We have previously reported that PMFE improves cognitive impairment induced by decreased blood flow through an inhibitory effect on the toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/myeloid differentiation primary response 88/ nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling pathways [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Antiviral and virucidal activities against herpes simplex viruses of umesu phenolics extracted from Japanese apricot

“…"umesu", a by-product obtained during the manufacture of pickled Japanese apricot with high salt concentration) 8 and reported many physiological activities of umesu phenolics, including antibacterial 9 and antihypertensive effects. 10 By performing a quantitative characterization of the phenolics in the Nanko-mume fruit, we found that the fruit contains a significant amount of polyphenols. The flesh of a fully matured fruit contains up to 1% of phenolics on a dry weight basis.…”

“…Recently, we have purified a phenolic fraction (umesu phenolics) chromatographically using a nonpolar macroporous adsorbent resin from the salt extracts (i.e. “umesu”, a by‐product obtained during the manufacture of pickled Japanese apricot with high salt concentration) and reported many physiological activities of umesu phenolics, including antibacterial and antihypertensive effects . By performing a quantitative characterization of the phenolics in the Nanko‐mume fruit, we found that the fruit contains a significant amount of polyphenols.…”