Effects of Chinese herbal medicine Yiqi Huaju Formula on hypertensive patients with metabolic syndrome:a randomized,placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND： Patients with hypertension coupled with metabolic syndrome （MetS） are among the high risk population in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. To reduce the prevalence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, it is essential to appropriately control b^ood pressure together with other cardiovascular risk factors. OBJECTIVE： The current study was designed to investigate the therapeutic effects on blood pressure, blood pressure variability and other cardiovascular risk factors by giving Yiqi Huaju Formula, a compound traditional Chinese herbal medicine, in addition to routine treatment to hypertensive patients coupled with MetS. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS： A total of 43 patients with hypertension coupled with MetS were recruited into this study. The enrolled patients were randomly divided into the Chinese herbal formula group （anti-hypertensive drugs plus Yiqi Huaju Formula, CHF） and the control group （anti-hypertensive drugs plus placebo）. The CHF group enrolled 22 patients while the control group received 21 cases. Treatments were given for 12 weeks in both groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Parameters examined include 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance （HOMA-IR）, fasting glycosylated hemoglobin （HbAlc）, fasting plasma glucose, 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose （PPG）, fasting plasma insulin, serum lipid, etc. RESULTS： Compared with the control group, the CHF group had significant improvement （P〈0.01） in anthropometric parameters, FPG, HOMA-IR, blood pressure amplitude, blood pressure variability and blood pressure load. CONCLUSION： This study showed that integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment can achieve better results in controlling blood pressure as well as other cardiovascular risk factors. The mechanism of controlling of blood pressure may be associated with the improvement of insulin sensitivity due to the Yiqi Huaju intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION IDENTIFIER： ChiCTR-TRC-11001633.

Clinical Application of Gaofang(Medicated Paste)in Cardiovascular Disease

Gaofang(medicated paste),also known as gaoji in Chinese,is one of the eight dosage forms of traditional Chinese medicine.Originated in the Han and Tang dynasties,it is widely used in Shanghai,Jiangsu,Zhejiang,and Guangdong of China at present.It is generally believed that Gaofang can help reinforce deficiency,delay aging,and regulate the overall health status.Currently,Gaofang has been extensively used in the treatment of cardiovascular disease.Based on the relevant literature and clinical experience,this article reviews the general situation and the clinical application of Gaofang as well as the common Chinese medicines in Gaofang for cardiovascular diseases.

Efficacy of Huoxue Qianyang Qutan Recipe on essential hypertension:A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled trial

Background:Hypertension,a prevalent disease,is a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease.Huoxue Qianyang Qutan Recipe (HQQR),a traditional Chinese herbal remedy,has been used for treating hypertension over several years.Objective:This study assesses HQQR’s efficacy for controlling blood pressure among patients with hypertension related to blood stasis,yang hyperactivity and phlegm.Design,setting,participants and interventions:A randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine,Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine,China,from July 2020 to June 2022.Major components of HQQR were identified using thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography.Participants aged18–80 years,exhibiting traditional Chinese medicine syndromes of blood stasis,yang hyperactivity or phlegm,along with grades 1 or 2 hypertension,were randomly categorized into two groups.The intervention group was given HQQR granules alongside conventional hypertension treatment,while the control group was given placebo granules in addition to conventional treatment for 12 weeks.Main outcome measures:The primary outcome was clinic blood pressure,whereas secondary outcomes included metabolic indices (e.g.,homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance[HOMA-IR],total cholesterol[TC],low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride),target organ damage indices (left ventricular mass index and urinary albumin creatinine ratio[UACR]) and inflammation indices(interleukin-6[IL-6]and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein[hs-CRP]).Results:HQQR’s primary components were identified as salvianolic acid B,emodin and ferulic acid.Of the 216 participants (108 in each group),compared to the control,the intervention group exhibited significant improvements (P<0.001) in clinic systolic blood pressure ([136.24±7.63]vs[130.06±8.50]mmHg),clinic diastolic blood pressure ([84.34±8.72]vs[80.46±6.05]mmHg),home systolic blood pressure([131.64±8.74]vs[122.36±8.45]mmHg) and home diastolic blood pressure ([78.47±9.53]vs[71.79±6.82]mm Hg).HQQR demonstrated a reduction in ambulatory blood pressure (24-hour systolic blood pressure:[133.75±10.49]vs[132.46±8.84]mmHg and 24-hour diastolic blood pressure:[84.12±8.01]vs[82.11±7.45]mmHg) and an improvement in HOMA-IR ([4.09±1.72]vs[3.98±1.44]),TC ([4.66±1.47]vs[3.75±1.81]mmol/L) and UACR (75.94[5.12,401.12]vs 45.61[4.26,234.26]).Moreover,HQQR demonstrated a decrease in hs-CRP (1.46[0.10,10.53]vs 0.57[0.12,3.99]mg/L) and IL-6 (6.69[2.00,29.74]vs 5.27[2.00,9.73]pg/mL),with no reported side effects (P<0.001).Conclusion:This study highlights the therapeutic potential of HQQR use in ameliorating blood pressure,glycolipid metabolism,and inflammation in patients with hypertension.