Aged garlic extract lowers blood pressure in patients with treated but uncontrolled hypertension: a randomised controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the effect, tolerability, and acceptability of aged garlic extract as an adjunct treatment for patients with treated but uncontrolled hypertension.
Results Summary
Aged garlic extract significantly lowered systolic blood pressure by 10.2 mmHg in patients with uncontrolled hypertension (SBP ≥ 140 mmHg) compared to placebo, with high tolerability (92% acceptability). No significant effect was observed in patients with SBP < 140 mmHg.
Population
Patients with treated but uncontrolled hypertension (SBP ≥ 140 mmHg at baseline).
Effective Dosage
960 mg aged garlic extract (containing 2.4 mg S-allylcysteine) daily, divided into four capsules.
Duration
12 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
aged garlic extract | decrease | systolic blood pressure | patients with uncontrolled hypertension (SBP ≥ 140 mmHg at baseline) | 10.2 ± 4.3 mmHg | was on average lower | #1 |
aged garlic extract | no change | blood pressure | patients with SBP<140 mmHg at baseline | - | was not significant | #2 |
aged garlic extract | neutral | tolerability | patients with treated, but uncontrolled, hypertension | - | was generally well tolerated | #3 |
aged garlic extract | neutral | acceptability of trial treatment | patients with treated, but uncontrolled, hypertension | 92% | was high | #4 |
aged garlic extract | decrease | systolic blood pressure | patients with treated but uncontrolled hypertension | - | is superior to placebo in lowering | #5 |
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect, tolerability and acceptability of aged garlic extract as an adjunct treatment to existing antihypertensive medication in patients with treated, but uncontrolled, hypertension. DESIGN: A double-blind parallel randomised placebo-controlled trial involving 50 patients whose routine clinical records in general practice documented treated but uncontrolled hypertension. The active treatment group received four capsules of aged garlic extract (960 mg containing 2.4 mg S-allylcysteine) daily for 12 weeks, and the control group received matching placebos. The primary outcome measures were systolic and diastolic blood pressure at baseline, 4, 8 and 12 weeks, and change over time. We also assessed tolerability during the trial and acceptability at 12 weeks. RESULTS: In patients with uncontrolled hypertension (SBP ≥ 140 mmHg at baseline), systolic blood pressure was on average 10.2 ± 4.3 mmHg (p=0.03) lower in the garlic group compared with controls over the 12-week treatment period. Changes in blood pressure between the groups were not significant in patients with SBP<140 mmHg at baseline. Aged garlic extract was generally well tolerated and acceptability of trial treatment was high (92%). CONCLUSION: Our trial suggests that aged garlic extract is superior to placebo in lowering systolic blood pressure similarly to current first line medications in patients with treated but uncontrolled hypertension.