IngentaConnect Hypotensive effects of hawthorn for patients with diabetes taking...

Abstract:

Background:

Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) leaves, flowers and berries are used by herbal practitioners in the UK to treat hypertension in conjunction with prescribed drugs. Small-scale human studies support this approach.

Aim:

To investigate the effects of hawthorn for hypertension in patients with type 2 diabetes taking prescribed drugs.

Design of study:

Randomised controlled trial.

Setting:

General practices in Reading, UK.

Method:

Patients with type 2 diabetes (n = 79) were randomised to daily 1200 mg hawthorn extract (n = 39) or placebo (n = 40) for 16 weeks. At baseline and outcome a wellbeing questionnaire was completed and blood pressure and fasting blood samples taken. A food frequency questionnaire estimated nutrient intake.

Results:

Hypotensive drugs were used by 71% of the study population with a mean intake of 4.4 hypoglycaemic and/or hypotensive drugs. Fat intake was lower and sugar intake higher than recommendations, and low micronutrient intake was prevalent. There was a significant group difference in mean diastolic blood pressure reductions (P = 0.035): the hawthorn group showed greater reductions (baseline: 85.6 mmHg, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 83.3 to 87.8; outcome: 83.0 mmHg, 95% CI = 80.5 to 85.7) than the placebo group (baseline: 84.5 mmHg, 95% CI = 82 to 87; outcome: 85.0 mmHg, 95% CI = 82.2 to 87.8). There was no group difference in systolic blood pressure reduction from baseline (3.6 and 0.8 mmHg for hawthorn and placebo groups, respectively; P = 0.329). Although mean fat intake met current recommendations, mean sugar intake was higher and there were indications of potential multiple micronutrient deficiencies. No herb-drug interaction was found and minor health complaints were reduced from baseline in both groups.

Conclusions:

This is the first randomised controlled trial to demonstrate a hypotensive effect of hawthorn in patients with diabetes taking medication.

Keywords: COMPLEMENTARY THERAPIES; CRATAEGUS; HERB-DRUG INTERACTIONS; HYPERTENSION; PHYTOTHERAPY; PLANT EXTRACTS

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, School of Food Biosciences, The University of Reading, Reading 2: Diabetes Centre, Royal Berkshire Hospital and Battle Hospital NHS Trust, Reading 3: Department of Applied Statistics, The University of Reading, Reading 4: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading 5: Renal and Diabetes Centre, Glan Clwyd Hospital, Rhyl

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Hypotensive effects of hawthorn for patients with diabetes taking prescription drugs: a randomised controlled trial