A Mini Review of Underutilized Native Plants from East Malaysia’s Rainforests as Potential Hypertensive Drugs

Abstract

Hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, which are on the rise throughout the world at an alarming rate. As a result, a variety of techniques to help in the prevention and control of hypertension have been tried, one of which is the use of natural medicines derived from medicinal plants. The relevance of plant-based medicine is now recognised by western countries, as seen by Canada's Natural Health Product Regulations, which were promulgated in January 2004. The Southeast Asian rainforests, notably in East Malaysia, are home to a diverse range of medicinal plant species with endless potential as pharmacological candidates, particularly as antihypertensive agents. The indigenous ethnic groups of East Malaysia have long utilised a broad variety of medicinal plant species to treat hypertension, thanks to their extensive usage of traditional remedies and in-depth understanding of ethnomedicine, which are fundamental elements of their culture. However, scientific understanding of ethnomedicines used to treat hypertension, particularly the processes underlying their antihypertensive action, is inadequate. Based on previous scientific studies, this review aims to address the antihypertensive effects of medicinal plants used by indigenous ethnic groups in East Malaysia, Sabah, in order to provide insights into the mechanisms of the plants' antihypertensive activity for the development of antihypertensive agents from these native plants.