薬理と治療

Abstract

The efficacy of long pepper extract as a hypotensive agent in humans was analyzed. The study, designed as a randomized open-label parallel-group study, was conducted in individuals with blood pressure in the high normal range and patients with first-degree hypertension. The subjects ［50 subjects in total（male╱female＝38╱12, age＝29-64 years old）］took either test capsule（capsule containing 150 mg of long pepper extract）or control capsule（placebo; free of long pepper extract）or FOSHU［commercially available food for specified health uses for high blood pressure（efficacy of ACE inhibition）］once daily for 8 weeks. We observed systolic and diastolic blood pressures, pulse rate, side effect, adverse event, laboratory test data, body weight, and abdominal circumference. The test capsule group showed a significant reduction of the systolic and diastolic pressures compared to the placebo group at each time-point of evaluation from Week 1 onward（systolic pressure）and Week 4 onward（diastolic pressures）. Furthermore, the test capsule group showed a significant reduction of the systolic and diastolic pressures compared to the FOSHU group at each time-point of evaluation from Week 2 onward （systolic pressure）and Week 4 onward（diastolic pressure）. 1 side effect which was constipation was seen in 1 subject from FOSHU group. These results confirmed that capsule containing 150 mg long pepper extract exerts a sufficient reduction of both the systolic and diastolic blood pressures.