H. A. OBOH

Hypertension is closely linked to oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and reduced nitric oxide (NO) availability. Traditional medicinal plants are widely used for its management, yet scientific evidence supporting their efficacy remains limited. This study therefore evaluated the in vitro antihypertensive potential of a polyherbal indigenous tea prepared from Justicia carnea (Hospital too far), Moringa oleifera (miracle tree), Vernonia amygdalina (bitter leaf), Gongronema latifolium (Utazi), Telfairia occidentalis (fluted pumpkin), and Hibiscus sabdariffa (zobo). The formulation was assessed for nitric oxide scavenging activity and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), two key mechanisms involved in blood pressure regulation. Nitric oxide scavenging ability was determined using sodium nitroprusside as the NO donor, while percentage inhibition values were used to estimate the IC₅₀. Antioxidant capacity was evaluated using the phosphomolybdenum assay. The polyherbal extract demonstrated strong NO scavenging activity with an IC₅₀ value of 0.313 mg/mL, indicating consistent and concentration-dependent inhibition of NO radicals. The TAC results also showed a clear increase in antioxidant activity with rising extract concentration, confirming the presence of potent bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, and anthocyanins that can neutralize reactive oxygen species. These findings suggest that the polyherbal tea possesses significant in vitro antihypertensive potential through its ability to preserve nitric oxide and reduce oxidative stress. The study provides scientific support for the traditional use of these plants in managing hypertension and highlights the formulation as a promising complementary remedy. Further in vivo studies and clinical investigations are recommended to establish its safety and therapeutic applicability.