Evaluation of the Effects of Vaccinium arctostaphylos L. Fruit Extract on Serum Lipids and hs-CRP Levels and Oxidative Stress in Adult Patients with Hyperlipidemia: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract EN

Background.

Dyslipidemia produces atherosclerosis, which in turn results in coronary artery disease (CAD).

Atherosclerosis is being considered as an inflammatory disease.

Vaccinium arctostaphylos L.

is a plant with fruits rich in anthocyanins.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of fruit extract of this plant on serum levels of lipids, hs-CRP, and malondialdehyde (MDA) as a marker of oxidative stress, in hyperlipidemic adult patients.

Methods.

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 50 hyperlipidemic adult patients were randomly and equally assigned to receive either medicinal (V.

arctostaphylos fruit extract) or placebo capsules twice daily for 4 weeks.

Each medicinal capsule contained 45 ± 2 mg of anthocyanins.

Fasting serum levels of total cholesterol, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C, hs-CRP, and MDA were obtained before and after the intervention and compared.

Results.

V.

arctostaphylos fruit extract significantly reduced total cholesterol (P<0.001), LDL-C (P=0.004), TG (P<0.001), and MDA (P=0.013) compared to placebo but did not have any significant effect on HDL-C (P=0.631) and hs-CRP (P=0.190).

Conclusion.

Fruit extract of Vaccinium arctostaphylos has beneficial effects on serum lipid profile and oxidative stress in hyperlipidemic adult patients.

Therefore, it could be considered as a supplement for treatment of dyslipidemia and prevention of atherosclerosis development.