Trends in the Treatment of Hypertension from the Perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Abstract

Hypertension is a major public-health issue. Much consensus has been reached in the treatment, and considerable progress has been made in the field of antihypertensive drugs. However, the standard-reaching rate of blood pressure is far from satisfaction. Considering these data and the seriousness of the effects of hypertension on the individual and society as a whole, both economically and socially, physicians must look for more effective and alternative ways to achieve the target blood pressure. Could treatment of hypertension be improved by insights from traditional Chinese medicine? As one of the most important parts in complementary and alternative therapies, TCM is regularly advocated for lowering elevated blood pressure. Due to the different understanding of the pathogenesis of hypertension between ancient and modern times, new understanding and treatment of hypertension need to be reexplored. Aiming to improve the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine in treating hypertension, the basis of treatment is explored through systematically analyzing the literature available in both English and Chinese search engines. This paper systematically reviews the trends in emerging therapeutic strategies for hypertension from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine.

Yiqi Huaju formula, a Chinese herbal medicine, reduces arterial pressure in salt-sensitive hypertension by inhibiting renin-angiotensin system activation

“…TCM may be a potential option for lowering blood pressure, as TCM is capable of functioning at a system level and with various targets. Numerous review articles demonstrated that TCM administered alone or in combination with antihypertensive therapeutic agents may exert certain beneficial effects on patients with essential hypertension (3,6,8). In the present study, the YQ formula was observed to reduce MAP, which was consistent with the findings of our previous population study (12).…”

“…Combination therapy is required in numerous cases for the management of hypertension. However, due to the inadequate effectiveness of current Western antihypertensive therapeutic agents, as well as safety concerns, there is a significant requirement for the development of efficacious pharmaceutical treatment strategies to combat hypertension (3).…”

Efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine on health-related quality of life (SF-36) in hypertensive patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…From the 1950s, Chinese physicians have been concentrating on effective prevention strategies for hypertension using CHM, and considerable progress have been achieved. 36 Recently, a large number of systematic reviews and RCTs have been conducted and proved that CHM is effective in controlling hypertension. 37 This metaanalysis also demonstrated that CHM can decrease SBP.…”

Protective effects on vascular endothelial cell in <i>N'</i>-nitro-<i>L</i>-arginine (<i>L</i>-NNA)-induced hypertensive rats from the combination of effective components of <i>Uncaria rhynchophylla </i>and <i>Semen Raphani </i>

“…Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) provides a potential option to the treatment of hypertension. From the 1950s, Chinese physicians have been concentrating on effective prevention and cure for hypertension using TCM, and considerable progress has been achieved (4). Many TCMs and their active components have been reported to have antihypertension effects.…”