Athanasios Kartalis1, Matthaios Didagelos2, Ioannis Georgiadis2, Georgios Benetos2, Nikolaos Smyrnioudis2, Haralambos Marmaras3, Petros Voutas2, Christina Zotika2, Stefanos Garoufalis2, Georgios Andrikopoulos4.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chios mastic gum (CMG) possesses anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-atheromatic, lipid- and glucose-lowering properties. We evaluated the effects of CMG on cholesterol and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels of healthy volunteers.
DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, pilot study.
METHODS: One hundred and seventy nine volunteers with total cholesterol levels >200 mg/dl were randomized to four groups. Finally, 156 volunteers completed the follow-up period and were analysed: (1) control group (C, n = 23), receiving placebo; (2) total mastic (TM, n = 72) receiving daily a total dose of 1 g of crude CMG (330 mg capsules, tid); (3) polymer-free mastic (PFM, n = 33), receiving daily a total dose of 1 g of polymer free mastic (330 mg caps, tid); and (4) powder mastic (PM, n = 28), receiving daily a total dose of 2 g of crude CMG.
RESULTS: After eight weeks, the TM group reduced total cholesterol by 11.5 mg/dl (p < 0.05) and FPG by 4.5 mg/dl (p < 0.05) adjusted for age, gender, BMI and baseline characteristics. The effect was stronger in overweight and obese patients (BMI > 25), with an estimated mean reduction of total cholesterol by 13.5 mg/dl (p < 0.05) and FPG by 5.1 mg/dl (p < 0.05). Administration of PFM and PM resulted in no statistically significant alteration. No effect was observed on LDL, HDL, triglycerides, uric acid and CRP. No gastrointestinal, liver or renal adverse events were recorded.
CONCLUSIONS: CMG has a significant lowering effect on total cholesterol and glucose levels of healthy volunteers, with excellent tolerance and no detectable side effects, especially in overweight and obese individuals. © The European Society of Cardiology 2015.
RCT Entities:
BACKGROUND: Chios mastic gum (CMG) possesses anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-atheromatic, lipid- and glucose-lowering properties. We evaluated the effects of CMG on cholesterol and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels of healthy volunteers.
DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, pilot study.
METHODS: One hundred and seventy nine volunteers with total cholesterol levels >200 mg/dl were randomized to four groups. Finally, 156 volunteers completed the follow-up period and were analysed: (1) control group (C, n = 23), receiving placebo; (2) total mastic (TM, n = 72) receiving daily a total dose of 1 g of crude CMG (330 mg capsules, tid); (3) polymer-free mastic (PFM, n = 33), receiving daily a total dose of 1 g of polymer free mastic (330 mg caps, tid); and (4) powder mastic (PM, n = 28), receiving daily a total dose of 2 g of crude CMG.
RESULTS: After eight weeks, the TM group reduced total cholesterol by 11.5 mg/dl (p < 0.05) and FPG by 4.5 mg/dl (p < 0.05) adjusted for age, gender, BMI and baseline characteristics. The effect was stronger in overweight and obese patients (BMI > 25), with an estimated mean reduction of total cholesterol by 13.5 mg/dl (p < 0.05) and FPG by 5.1 mg/dl (p < 0.05). Administration of PFM and PM resulted in no statistically significant alteration. No effect was observed on LDL, HDL, triglycerides, uric acid and CRP. No gastrointestinal, liver or renal adverse events were recorded.
CONCLUSIONS: CMG has a significant lowering effect on total cholesterol and glucose levels of healthy volunteers, with excellent tolerance and no detectable side effects, especially in overweight and obese individuals. © The European Society of Cardiology 2015.
Entities:
Keywords:
Mastic gum; atherosclerosis; cardiovascular; diabetes; lipids; terpenes
Mesh：
Substances：
Year: 2015
PMID： 26311707 DOI： 10.1177/2047487315603186
Source DB: PubMed Journal: Eur J Prev Cardiol ISSN： 2047-4873 Impact factor: 7.804