Comparison of the effectiveness of garlic capsules with captopril in lowering blood pressure in hypertensive patients

Hypertension is a global health concern with a high prevalence, particularly in Southeast Asia. While pharmacological treatments such as captopril are commonly used, many patients seek natural alternatives like garlic, which is known for its blood pressure-lowering properties. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of garlic capsules and captopril in reducing blood pressure in hypertensive patients. A quasi-experimental design was used, involving 30 participants divided into two groups: the garlic capsule group and the captopril group. Both groups showed significant reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In the garlic group, systolic blood pressure (p = 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.027) showed significant decreases; in the captopril group, systolic (p = 0.001) and diastolic (p = 0.020) also showed significant reductions (α = 0.05). However, comparison between the two groups revealed no significant difference in effectiveness (systolic p = 0.896; diastolic p = 0.586). These findings suggest that garlic capsules may serve as an effective alternative or adjunct therapy for hypertension, potentially acting through mechanisms similar to captopril—such as increasing nitric oxide production, inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzymes, and providing antioxidant effects.