Gerard Lee Lo See, Florencio Villester Arce, Yolanda Chua Deliman
ACE plays important roles by catalyzing the conversion of angiotensin I into the potent vasoconstrictor, angiotensin II. The latter inactivates vasodilator nonpeptide bradykinin and results in an increase of blood pressure. Moreover, inhibition of ACE has proven to be an effective strategy in prevention and treatment of hypertension. Clinically, synthetic ACE inhibitors such as captoril, enalapril, are used for hypertension. However, these agents exert pronounced side effects such as cough, angioedema and many more. A major challenge is to search new drugs that will be more selective and thus, have lesser side effects. Sambong, Blumea balsamifera, is abundant in the Philippines and recommended by the Department of Health as a tea preparation for the treatment of kidney stones. Up to date, no published studies yet on the ACE inihibitory activity of Sambong. The study delved into the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition activity of Sambong tea. Specifically, the absorbance reading of FAPGG (Furylacryloyl – Phenylalanyl – Glycyl – Glycine) at 340 nm after exposition to the oven - dried and air – dried Blumea balsamifera tea and its inhibitory activity. This study employed rabbit lung ACE – induced hydrolysis of FAPGG quantified using a spectrophotometer. Quality control tests were performed on the tea samples. Study revealed that Sambong tea preparation showed inhibitory activity on rabbit lung ACE. It has been observed that the air – dried tea has a mean inhibitory activity of 211.30% while the oven – dried tea has a mean inhibitory activity of 70.42%. Flavanoids and terpenoids were attributed to the inhibition of ACE. © 2016, International Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemical Research. All rights reserved.
Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Care Professions, University of San Carlos, Robert Hoeppener Building, Nasipit Talamban, Cebu City, 6000, Philippines
