An Observational Clinical Study on the Effectiveness of the Aqueous Leaf Extract of Lippia multiflora (Mold) as an Antihypertensive Agent

Abstract

Hypertension is an issue of public health concern due to its impact on society hence the need to find new treatment options. The leaves of Lippia multiflora (Mold) has traditionally been used in the management of hypertension and stress for more than four decades in Ghana. This study reports on an observational clinical study conducted using twenty-eight (28) hypertensive patients visiting the clinic of the Centre for Scientific Research into Plant Medicine (CSRPM). Participants were asked to prepare an infusion of L. multiflora by boiling 30 g of the plant material in 250 mls of water for four minutes and then filter. The treatment was to be administered twice daily for a period of four (4) weeks. Results showed a significant decline in both systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) over the period with the difference in mean SBP of 11.6 mmHg and that of the mean DBP recording a 6.43 mmHg decline from the baseline. The aqueous leaf extract of the plant thus holds some prospects for use as an anti-hypertensive agent.

Keywords: diastolic BP, hypertension, herbal medicine, Lippia multiflora, observational clinical study, systolic BP