Edible Seeds in the Fight Against Hypertension: A Review of In Vitro, In Vivo, and Clinical Evidences With a Mechanistic Insight of Bioactive Compounds

Hypertension, often referred to as a silent killer, is responsible for 7.5 million deaths, representing approximately 12.8% of all global mortality. This study aimed to (1) catalogue traditional uses of edible seeds for hypertension as recorded in ethnopharmacological surveys, (2) elucidate the antihypertensive attributes of these seeds based on in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies, and (3) assess the mechanisms of action of primary bioactive compounds derived from these seeds. Data were sourced from online databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, resulting in 155 reviewed studies, 47 of which were ethnopharmacological surveys. Data extracted from the studies included the species names of edible seeds, family names, year, countries where the study was conducted, study design, model used, extract, method of preparation, solvent used, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial blood pressure (MABP), pulse pressure (PP), and heart rate (HR). Predominant seeds included Nigella sativa L. (black seed), Peganum harmala L. (harmala), Persea americana Mill. (avocado seed), Linum usitassimum L. (flaxseed), and Moringa oleifera Lam. (drumstick seed). The protein extract of Arachis hypogaea L. (peanut) demonstrated the most potent inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) with IC50 values ranging from 0.07 to 0.08 mg/mL, whereas Hordeum vulgare L. (barley) exhibited the highest ACE inhibitory activity at 91.8%. Notably, N. sativa was observed to be especially effective in lowering both diastolic and SBP. This review highlights the potential antihypertensive benefits of traditionally employed edible seeds, presenting new perspectives and avenues for future research.