New study finds that aged black garlic extract may complement conventional hypertension therapies

Photo © iStockphoto.com/MarkGillow

A recent study¹ investigated the effects of an aged black garlic extract, called ABG10+ from Pharmactive (Madrid, Spain), in patients exhibiting Grade-1 hypertension and receiving a prescribed drug treatment. The study consisted of two periods, a run-in phase in which all volunteers were treated with placebo and had their blood pressure monitored daily for two weeks. This serves as the basis for the evaluation of future blood pressure changes. During the experimental phase, volunteers were divided randomly into two groups where they were either treated with placebo or the aged black garlic extract.

Blood pressure measurements were taken by researchers at baseline and 12 weeks, while volunteers took daily measurements at home. The measurements taken by the researchers at baseline at 12 weeks did not show a significant difference in systolic or diastolic blood pressure. However, based on measurements taken at home by volunteers on a daily basis, a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels of about 1.8 and 1.5 mmHg, respectively, were observed. While inflammatory markers did not show a significant change in subjects taking the aged black garlic extract, post-hoc analyses suggested that the extract increased nitric oxide, antioxidant capacity measured by the FRAP method, cytokine IP-10 levels, and reduced ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) activity as well as blood uric acid levels.

“These secondary parameters help us gain an understanding of the likely mechanism behind ABG10+’s effect on blood pressure,” explained Alberto Espinel, open innovation director of Pharmactive, in a press release. “Nitric oxide is a natural vasorelaxant produced in the body to maintain cardiovascular function, improving blood pressure, and increasing blood flow. Nitric oxide also is a cellular antioxidant and thus helps mitigate oxidative stress and its associated negative effects on blood vessels and the cardiovascular system. Reducing the angiotensin converting enzyme activity is a key strategy to decrease blood pressure in hypertensive patients.”

This latest study follows previous research, published in 2022, demonstrating that Pharmactive’s ABG10+ significantly reduced diastolic blood pressure in subjects with moderately elevated cholesterol levels. According to Pharmactive, its proprietary aging process increases garlic’s antioxidant compounds, including polyphenols, flavonoids, melanoidins, and S-allyl cysteine (SAC).

“As garlic ages, its fresh compounds like allicin and sulphur undergo chemical changes, forming new compounds, including SAC and melanoidins,” explained Carlos Rodríguez, Pharmactive’s communication manager, in a press release. “These compounds create the special flavor, aroma, and color of aged black garlic which is why it is a culinary favorite of chefs. Yet these same bioactive compounds are believed to possess powerful antioxidant and support cardio health.”

Reference

Serrano, J.C.E.; Castro-Boqué, E.; García-Carrasco, A.; Morán-Valero, M.I.; González-Hedström, D.; Bermúdez-López, M.; Valdivielso, J.M.; Espinel, A.E.; Portero-Otín, M. Antihypertensive Effects of an Optimized Aged Garlic Extract in Subjects with Grade I Hypertension and Antihypertensive Drug Therapy: A Randomized, Triple-Blind Controlled Trial. Nutrients, 2023, 15(17): 3691. DOI: 10.3390/nu15173691