Phenols, alkaloids and terpenes from medicinal plants with antihypertensive and vasorelaxant activities. A review of natural products as leads to potential therapeutic agents.

Numerous studies support the cardiovascular effects of medicinal plants. This review examines plants whose antihypertensive and vasorelaxant effects have been scientifically validated. Our study selected only chemically characterized plants whose mode of action had already been investigated. The aim of the paper is to provide a quick way to identify medicinal plants and their constituents with antihypertensive and vasorelaxant activities.