Celery Seed Extract Improves Blood Pressure in Adults with Hypertension

Written by Chrystal Moulton, Staff Writer. Researchers observed an average 12.12 and 10.16 mmHg decrease in daytime and nighttime systolic blood pressure, respectively (p< 0.001).

Hypertension is risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity worldwide and is best known as the silent killer^1,2. Conventional treatment for hypertension requires multiple drugs in some patients and has various side effects^2,3. Alternative therapies using herbs such as Hibiscus sabdariffa extract ⁴ or Luohuo capsules⁵ have demonstrated some positive anti-hypertensive effects. Celery seed extract has also shown anti-hypertensive effects in both animal and human trials^6,7. In the current trial², researchers investigated the anti-hypertensive effect of celery seed extract on patients with hypertension.

The study was designed as a randomized, triple-blind, placebo controlled, crossover trial. Individuals were assigned to 4 weeks of either placebo or celery seed extract followed by 4-week washout. After washout period, individuals were assigned to opposite the protocol (i.e. placebo à celery seed extract or celery seed extract à placebo). Participants had to be between 28 – 68 years old with systolic blood pressure between 120 – 160mmHg and diastolic blood pressure between 80 – 100 mmHg. Blood pressure was measured by 24-hr ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) using a portable automatic device set to take readings every 15 minutes for a 24hr period. ABPM readings were conducted 4 times for every patient at the beginning and end of each intervention (i.e. start and end of placebo trial/ start and end of celery seed extract trial). Participants consumed 4 celery seed extract capsules (1.34g extract) or placebo capsules per day (2 capsules every 12hr before meals). Blood samples and anthropometric measurements were taken at the beginning and end of each crossover trial. Compliance was assessed through weekly calls and at each visit to the physician (a patient requirement at the beginning and end of each trial period (placebo and treatment)). Physicians, researchers, patients, and data analyzers were blinded to group assignments.

Of 59 patients enrolled, 52 patients completed the study. No significant differences in medication use, serum biochemical parameters, dietary habits, or demographics were observed between the placebo and treatment groups at baseline. Following celery seed extract treatment for 4 weeks, researchers observed an average 12.12 and 10.16 mmHg decrease in daytime and nighttime systolic blood pressure, respectively (p< 0.001). Average decrease in diastolic blood pressure was 8.89 and 7.01 mmHg for daytime and nighttime blood pressure, respectively (p< 0.001) during the treatment period. No significant reduction in daytime or nighttime systolic or diastolic blood pressure was observed in the placebo period. Other significant changes were observed for blood pressure and serum biochemical parameters during the treatment period. Table 1 summarizes all the significant changes observed during the celery seed extract treatment period. Researchers noted a stronger effect in lowering blood pressure in patients with high systolic blood pressure at baseline. No significant effects were observed for heart rate. Patients reported better breathing, reduction in chest pain, and improved sleep quality during treatment period. Increased urination and decreased appetite were also reported during treatment period. No significant adverse effects were reported in treatment compared to placebo.

Table 1. Significant effects of 4-week celery seed extract treatment

In this study, celery seed extract significantly improved blood pressure and serum biochemical parameters in patients with hypertension. Patients also reported improvement in sleep, chest pain, and overall well-being while take celery seed extract.  Study limitations include the small sample size of each group and the short length of the study, along with the lack of evaluating potential confounding factors. Further studies are needed to validate these findings.

Source: Shayani Rad, Maryam, Mohsen Moohebati, Shahab MohammadEbrahimi, Vahideh Sadat Motamedshariaty, and Seyed Ahmad Mohajeri. “Safety evaluation and biochemical efficacy of celery seed extract (Apium Graveolens) capsules in hypertensive patients: a randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over, clinical trial.” Inflammopharmacology (2022): 1-16.

© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

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Posted August 1, 2022.

Chrystal Moulton BA, PMP, is a 2008 graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. She graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology with a focus on premedical studies and is a licensed project manager. She currently resides in Indianapolis, IN.

References:

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2. Shayani Rad M, Moohebati M, Mohajeri SA. Effect of celery (Apium graveolens) seed extract on hypertension: A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over, clinical trial. Phytother Res. Jul 2022;36(7):2889-2907. doi:10.1002/ptr.7469
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