also the reason that studies are going on to suggest benefits of hempseed in hormone
imbalances and inflammation associated with menopause (Rocha Filho et al. 2011).
15.4.4 In Hypercholesterolemia
In hypercholesterolemia, the aggregation of platelets is greatly enhanced which can
lead to the development of various cardiovascular diseases (Prociuk et al. 2008).
Platelet aggregation can be induced by production of eicosanoids (arachidonic acid)
by metabolism of omega-6 fatty acids (Simopoulos 2008). In recent years, various
research groups have worked to study the effect of hempseed on platelet aggregation
in various animals. Hypercholesterolemic study of hempseed on male, white rabbits
of New Zealand proved that a 10% supplementation of hempseed could reduce the
platelet aggregation (caused by hypercholesterolemia) to normal levels within
8 weeks (Prociuk et al. 2008). They conferred that the effect was due to a higher
amount of plasma γ-linolenic acid in hempseed and not due to a decrease in the level
of cholesterol in plasma. A study on male Sprague-Dawley rats revealed that the
addition of 5–10% of hempseed could reduce the rate of platelet aggregation within
12 weeks (Richard et al. 2007). The positive results were attributed to the fatty acid
composition of hempseed, particularly omega-3 α-linolenic acid which can be
metabolised to form anti-aggregatory eicosanoids. Since most of the cardiovascular
diseases are caused mainly due to platelet aggregation, hempseed oil can be used as a
potential preventive against such diseases.
15.4.5 In Maintaining Blood Pressure
Increased blood pressure or hypertension is one of the significant problems linked
with the development of cardiovascular disease events, mainly heart failure, myocardial infarction and end-stage diabetes (Hong et al. 2008). Renin and angiotensin
are the major enzymes which regulate the blood pressure levels by modulating the
renin–angiotensin system. Hempseed protein hydrolysate and its peptide fractions
have been studied for their potential application in the reduction of hypertension
(Girgih et al. 2011b). In the experiment, peptide fractions were prepared by the
consecutive action of pepsin and pancreatin and followed by membrane ultrafiltration. The prepared hempseed protein hydrolysate was found to inhibit the activities
of angiotensin I-converting enzyme and renin and thereby reducing the chances of
abnormal increase in blood pressure level. It is reported that oral intake of hempseed
protein hydrolysate (200 mg/kg body weight) could reduce the blood pressure level
of 30 mmHg within 8 h, while hempseed peptide fractions could balance the
hypotension at the level of 15 mmHg after 6–8 h of oral intake. Thus, these results
suggest for the potential application of hempseed proteins for the low-cost treatment
of both hypertension and hypotension in human beings.
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385
imbalances and inflammation associated with menopause (Rocha Filho et al. 2011).
15.4.4 In Hypercholesterolemia
In hypercholesterolemia, the aggregation of platelets is greatly enhanced which can
lead to the development of various cardiovascular diseases (Prociuk et al. 2008).
Platelet aggregation can be induced by production of eicosanoids (arachidonic acid)
by metabolism of omega-6 fatty acids (Simopoulos 2008). In recent years, various
research groups have worked to study the effect of hempseed on platelet aggregation
in various animals. Hypercholesterolemic study of hempseed on male, white rabbits
of New Zealand proved that a 10% supplementation of hempseed could reduce the
platelet aggregation (caused by hypercholesterolemia) to normal levels within
8 weeks (Prociuk et al. 2008). They conferred that the effect was due to a higher
amount of plasma γ-linolenic acid in hempseed and not due to a decrease in the level
of cholesterol in plasma. A study on male Sprague-Dawley rats revealed that the
addition of 5–10% of hempseed could reduce the rate of platelet aggregation within
12 weeks (Richard et al. 2007). The positive results were attributed to the fatty acid
composition of hempseed, particularly omega-3 α-linolenic acid which can be
metabolised to form anti-aggregatory eicosanoids. Since most of the cardiovascular
diseases are caused mainly due to platelet aggregation, hempseed oil can be used as a
potential preventive against such diseases.
15.4.5 In Maintaining Blood Pressure
Increased blood pressure or hypertension is one of the significant problems linked
with the development of cardiovascular disease events, mainly heart failure, myocardial infarction and end-stage diabetes (Hong et al. 2008). Renin and angiotensin
are the major enzymes which regulate the blood pressure levels by modulating the
renin–angiotensin system. Hempseed protein hydrolysate and its peptide fractions
have been studied for their potential application in the reduction of hypertension
(Girgih et al. 2011b). In the experiment, peptide fractions were prepared by the
consecutive action of pepsin and pancreatin and followed by membrane ultrafiltration. The prepared hempseed protein hydrolysate was found to inhibit the activities
of angiotensin I-converting enzyme and renin and thereby reducing the chances of
abnormal increase in blood pressure level. It is reported that oral intake of hempseed
protein hydrolysate (200 mg/kg body weight) could reduce the blood pressure level
of 30 mmHg within 8 h, while hempseed peptide fractions could balance the
hypotension at the level of 15 mmHg after 6–8 h of oral intake. Thus, these results
suggest for the potential application of hempseed proteins for the low-cost treatment
of both hypertension and hypotension in human beings.
15 Hempseed (Cannabis sativa)
385