{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,30]],"date-time":"2026-07-30T15:23:08Z","timestamp":1785424988910,"version":"3.56.0"},"reference-count":31,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"13","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,3]],"date-time":"2026-07-03T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1783036800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100002842","name":"Chiang Mai University","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["028\/2568"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["028\/2568"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100002842","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"award":["028\/2568"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["028\/2568"]}],"id":[{"id":"https:\/\/ror.org\/05m2fqn25","id-type":"ROR","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Plants"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) to lower angiotensin is important in the treatment of hypertension (HT). ACE inhibitory activity is rarely documented in Thai traditional and indigenous medicine. Here, we evaluated the angiotensin I\u2013converting enzyme inhibitory (ACEi) activity through bio-screening of selected medicinal plant species traditionally used for HT treatment by ethnic communities in northern Thailand, including Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC., Clerodendrum chinense (Osbeck) Mabb., Rotheca serrata (L.) Steane &amp; Mabb., and Zingiber purpureum Roscoe. Using an in vitro assay, ethanolic extracts were evaluated for ACE inhibitory activity. Among the four extracts tested, the ethanolic leaf extract of Blumea balsamifera was the most effective by reducing ACE activity by 29, 36, and 64% at concentrations of 0.4, 2.0, and 10.0 mg\/mL, respectively. The rhizome extract of Zingiber purpureum showed the second highest activity, with inhibition rates of 34%, 39%, and 40% at the corresponding concentrations. Cytotoxicity testing in HEK293T kidney cells was conducted to underscore the detectable toxicity under the tested conditions. Interestingly, intercultural and cross-cultural comparisons revealed a degree of agreement in the use of medicinal plants for hypertension treatment. Plant species traditionally used across multiple cultures tended to show higher levels of ACE inhibitory activity, suggesting their potential as candidates for the development of novel anti-hypertensive agents. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the ACE inhibitory activity of medicinal plant species used for hypertension treatment by ethnic communities in northern Thailand.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/plants15132068","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,3]],"date-time":"2026-07-03T07:59:47Z","timestamp":1783065587000},"page":"2068","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor Activity of Some Plants Used in Thai Indigenous Medicine"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"15","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0006-0737-5931","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Prattana","family":"Sumridpiem","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Henrik","family":"Balslev","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biology, Aarhus University, Building 1540, Ny Munkegade 116, DK-8000 Aarhus C, Denmark"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1354-1247","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Pimonrat","family":"Tiansawat","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand"},{"name":"Forest Restoration Research Unit (FORRU), Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand"},{"name":"Environmental Science Research Center, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Oratai","family":"Neamsuvan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Faculty of Traditional Thai Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla 90110, Thailand"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Hataichanok","family":"Pandith","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3634-1881","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Aussara","family":"Panya","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand"},{"name":"Cell Engineering for Cancer Therapy Research Group, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Saruda","family":"Thongyim","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Cell Engineering for Cancer Therapy Research Group, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand"},{"name":"Office of Research Administration, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0107-519X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Angkhana","family":"Inta","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,3]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","unstructured":"World Health Organization (2019). Hypertension Care in Thailand: Best Practices and Challenges 2019, World Health Organization Country Office for Thailand Publishing. [1st ed.]."},{"key":"ref_2","unstructured":"Thai Hypertension Society (2019). Thai Guidelines on The Treatment of Hypertension 2019, Trick Think Publishing. [1st ed.]."},{"key":"ref_3","unstructured":"Takei, Y., and Ando, H. (2015). Subchapter 29A\u2014Renin. Handbook of Hormones: Comparative Endocrinology for Basic and Clinical Research, Elsevier Science."},{"key":"ref_4","unstructured":"Krogsgaard, L.P., and Bundgaard, H. (1991). Subchapter-Enzyme inhibitor as drugs. A Textbook of Drug Design and Development, Harwood Academic Publishers."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"761","DOI":"10.7326\/0003-4819-139-9-200311040-00011","article-title":"Pathogenesis of hypertension","volume":"139","author":"Oparil","year":"2003","journal-title":"Ann. Intern Med."},{"key":"ref_6","first-page":"1132","article-title":"ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibition activity of oven\u2013dried and air\u2013dried Sambong Blumea balsamifera L. (dc.) tea","volume":"8","author":"See","year":"2016","journal-title":"Int. J. Pharmacogn. Phytochem. Res."},{"key":"ref_7","first-page":"647","article-title":"Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor induced cough: Experience in Siriraj Hospital","volume":"86","author":"Buranakitjaroen","year":"2003","journal-title":"J. Med. Assoc. Thai."},{"key":"ref_8","first-page":"1","article-title":"Blood pressure targets for the treatment of people with hypertension and cardiovascular disease","volume":"11","author":"Saiz","year":"2022","journal-title":"Cochrane Database Syst. Rev."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1309","DOI":"10.1142\/S0192415X2550051X","article-title":"Plant-Derived Natural Products Ameliorating Hypertension via Signaling Pathways: A Review","volume":"53","author":"Feng","year":"2025","journal-title":"Am. J. Chin. Med."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"30","DOI":"10.4103\/0973-7847.79097","article-title":"Role of natural herbs in the treatment of hypertension","volume":"5","author":"Tabassum","year":"2011","journal-title":"Pharmacogn. Rev."},{"key":"ref_11","first-page":"1","article-title":"Review of Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Inhibitory Assay: Rapid Method in Drug Discovery of Herbal Plants","volume":"11","author":"Ahmad","year":"2017","journal-title":"Pharmacogn. Rev."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1429","DOI":"10.5530\/pj.2020.12.197","article-title":"Southeast Asian Medicinal Plants with Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibition Properties","volume":"12","author":"Anuar","year":"2020","journal-title":"Pharmacogn. J."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Li, J., Hu, C., Zhu, J.H., and Li, R.L. (2026). Multifaceted mechanisms of plant metabolites in pulmonary arterial hypertension: A critical review beyond vasodilation. Front. Pharmacol., 17.","DOI":"10.3389\/fphar.2026.1769990"},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"86","DOI":"10.1007\/s12231-018-9435-1","article-title":"Cross-cultural Comparison of Medicinal Plants Used to Treat Infections in Northern Thailand","volume":"73","author":"Srithi","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Econ. Bot."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"64","DOI":"10.1007\/s12231-018-9428-0","article-title":"Use of Medicinal Plants Among Thai Ethnic Groups: A Comparison","volume":"73","author":"Phumthum","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Econ. Bot."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sumridpiem, P., Balslev, H., Tiensawat, P., Neamsuvan, O., and Inta, A. (2025). Plants Used for Treating Hypertension Among Ethnic Groups in Northern Thailand. Plants, 30.","DOI":"10.3390\/plants14071066"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100916","DOI":"10.1016\/j.hermed.2024.100916","article-title":"The use of herbal medicine for hypertension in rural and urban Thailand: A cross sectional study","volume":"47","author":"Wiwatkunupakarn","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Herb. Med."},{"key":"ref_18","first-page":"S134","article-title":"Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitory and Antioxidant Activities of Kam-Lung-Rad-Cha-Si, A Thai Herbal Formulation, Extracts","volume":"22","author":"Chaiyawatthanananthn","year":"2022","journal-title":"AMJAM"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"21690","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-023-49074-5","article-title":"Phenolic profiles and in vitro biochemical properties of Thai herb ingredients for chronic diseases prevention","volume":"13","author":"Thangsiri","year":"2023","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref_20","first-page":"1","article-title":"Angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitor activity of some medicinal plants listed in traditional Thai medicine","volume":"15","author":"Madaka","year":"2017","journal-title":"Interprofessional J. Health Sci."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"92","DOI":"10.1016\/j.foodchem.2014.05.080","article-title":"Identification of a new angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor from Thai edible plants","volume":"165","author":"Simaratanamongkol","year":"2014","journal-title":"Food Chem."},{"key":"ref_22","unstructured":"Office of International Cooperation (2016). Department for Development of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine, Thai Traditional Medicine at a Glance, Magnate Store. [1st ed.]."},{"key":"ref_23","unstructured":"Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine in Collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration (2026, February 03). The Reference Database List of Thai Traditional Medicine Formulary for Herbal Products Registration, Bangkok, Thailand, 2023. Available online: https:\/\/dmsic.moph.go.th\/index\/detail\/9480."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"38","DOI":"10.30872\/jkm.v21i1.1263","article-title":"Active Compounds of Sembung Leaves (Blumea balsamifera DC) in Silico Screening as Antihypertensives","volume":"21","author":"Sjahriza","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Kim. Mulawarman"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.33140\/AJUN.06.01.03","article-title":"Diuretic and Anti-Hypertensive Activity of Clerodendrum Chinense (OSBECK) MABB. Aqueous Extract in 8% Salt Diet-Induced Hypertensive Rats","volume":"6","author":"Odimegwu","year":"2024","journal-title":"Adv. J. Uro. Nephro."},{"key":"ref_26","first-page":"11","article-title":"Clerodendrum serratum: A clinical approach","volume":"2","author":"Singh","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. App. Pharm. Sci."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1426","DOI":"10.3109\/13880209.2013.796391","article-title":"Potent antihypertensive activity of Thai-Lanna medicinal plants and recipes from MANOSROI III database","volume":"51","author":"Manosroi","year":"2013","journal-title":"J. Pharm. Bio."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"247","DOI":"10.1016\/S0378-8741(97)00158-X","article-title":"Ethnomedical information and in vitro screening for angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition of plants utilized as traditional medicines in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Kerala (India)","volume":"60","author":"Nyman","year":"1998","journal-title":"J. Ethnopharmacol."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"237","DOI":"10.1016\/S0378-8741(98)00176-7","article-title":"Antinociceptive, antiinflammatory and antipyretic effects of ethanol extract of Clerodendron serratum roots in experimental animals","volume":"65","author":"Narayanan","year":"1999","journal-title":"J. Ethnopharmacol."},{"key":"ref_30","first-page":"348","article-title":"Antioxidant, antiangiogenic and vasorelaxant activities of methanolic extract of Clerodendrum serratum (Spreng.) leaves","volume":"6","author":"Mohamed","year":"2012","journal-title":"J. Med. Plants Res."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"58","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jep.2017.11.032","article-title":"Medicinal plants used for hypertension treatment by folk healers in Songkhla province, Thailand","volume":"25","author":"Neamsuvan","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Ethnopharmacol."}],"container-title":["Plants"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2223-7747\/15\/13\/2068\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,3]],"date-time":"2026-07-03T09:51:15Z","timestamp":1783072275000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2223-7747\/15\/13\/2068"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,3]]},"references-count":31,"journal-issue":{"issue":"13","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,7]]}},"alternative-id":["plants15132068"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/plants15132068","relation":{},"ISSN":["2223-7747"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2223-7747","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,3]]}}}