Investigation of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Effects of Indonesian Traditional Medicine (Jamu) doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v5i4.17

Abstract

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is a significant factor in maintaining blood pressure. Several Indonesian plants in herbal medicine (jamu) have been proven in vitro to be ACE inhibitors. This study assessed the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory effects of antihypertensive jamu in Wistar rats. Thirty rats were divided into six groups. Group I represented the standard controls (SC), which was administered standard diet, and aqua dest drinks. Groups II to VI were made hypertensive by administering 0% fructose drink for ten weeks. Group II was the negative control (NC), and was administered standard diet and 10% fructose solution. Captopril (0.5 mg/kg BW) was administered to group III, while  groups IV – VI were administered jamu at doses of 120 mg/kg BW (D1), 240 mg/kg BW (D2), and 360 mg/kg BW (D3), respectively from day 57 to 71. Blood pressure was measured every week before giving fructose until the last day of treatment. On day 72, rats were sacrificed, and plasma was taken to measure angiotensin-converting enzyme activity using an ELISA reader. The blood pressure rise started at week 3 of fructose administration. In the groups:  aptopril, D1, D2, and D3, there was a significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to the negative control (p < 0.05). Plasma angiotensin-converting enzyme levels was significantly different between the negative control and the normal control, D1, D2, D3, and the captopril groups (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between D3 compared to the standard controls (p > 0.05). Antihypertensive jamu has angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitory activity in-vivo.