Effects of sumac (Rhus coriaria) on lipid profile, leptin and steatosis in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

The effect of Sumac on cardiometabolic parameters in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background

The current evidence on the effect of Sumac consumption on cardiovascular parameters has produced controversial findings.

Methods

We systematically searched several databases, including PubMed-Medline, SCOPUS, and ISI Web of Science, to find eligible studies until January 2023. Meta-analysis to calculated the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95 %CI, Sub-group meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis were conducted throughout the study.

Results

16 randomized controlled trials comprising a total number of 1,225 participants were included. The results of meta-analysis revealed that Sumac significantly affected low-density lipoprotein (WMD: -8.66 mg/dL; 95% CI: -14.2, -3.12), high-density lipoprotein (WMD: 3.15 mg/dL; 1.99,4.31), triglycerides (WMD: -11.96 mg/dL; -19.44, -4.48), fasting blood glucose (WMD: -4.15 mg/dL; -7.31, -0.98), insulin (WMD: -1.72; -3.18, -0.25), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR; WMD: -0.61; -1.22, -0.01), and anthropometric indices (p < 0.05). Moreover, the results significantly reduced total cholesterol when the intervention duration was ≥12 weeks (WMD: -8.58 mg/dL; -16.8, -0.37).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that Sumac is potentially an effective complementary intervention to improve cardiometabolic parameters. Thus, patients could utilize Sumac as part of their diet to improve their overall cardiometabolic status.

Effects of sumac supplementation on lipid profile: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

This systematic review aimed to gather data on the effects of sumac supplementation on lipid profile. A systematic literature search was carried out using electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) up to March 2023 to identify eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of sumac intake on lipid profile as an outcome. All participants enrolled in our study were adult individuals who consumed sumac, in various forms, as an intervention. The included articles were assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. Heterogeneity tests of the selected trials were performed using the I2 statistic. Random effects models were assessed based on the heterogeneity tests, and pooled data were determined as the weighted mean difference with a 95% confidence interval. In total, seven RCTs with a total sample size of 570 subjects were included. This study found a significant decrease in total cholesterol (TC) (weighted mean difference [WMD]: -10.01 mg/dL; 95% CI: -18.67, -1.34), triglyceride (TG) (WMD: -8.52 mg/dL; 95% CI: -14.79, -2.25), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-C levels (WMD: -9.25 mg/dL; 95% CI: -14.56, -3.93); Moreover, a significant increase was observed in high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-C concentration (WMD: 2.97 mg/dL; 95% CI: 0.75, 5.19). The reduction in TG and TC was greater in studies with a duration of ≥12 compared to <12 weeks. The increase in HDL-C was greater in participants with an intervention duration of ≥12 compared to <12 weeks. Moreover, subgroup analysis based on the dose of sumac suggested a significant reduction in TC and LDL, specifically for doses below 3 g. Consumption of sumac significantly decreased serum TC, LDL-C, and TG concentrations. This study suggested significantly positive effects on HDL-C by intake of sumac. Longer interventions (>12 weeks) have a more favorable impact on TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C, while sumac doses below 3 g/day show greater effects on TC and LDL-C. These findings underscore the potential of sumac supplementation as a valuable approach to lipid profile management.

Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) powder supplementation has beneficial effects on appetite in overweight/obese women with depression: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Appetite disturbance is a common problem in obesity and depression. The beneficial effects of polyphenols in promoting satiety have been shown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of sumac supplementation along with calorie restricted diet (CRD) on appetite in overweight and obese women with depression.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this trial, 60 overweight and obese women with depression were randomly assigned to receive a CRD plus 3 g/day of either sumac or placebo for 12 weeks. The appetite score, serum levels of leptin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), insulin, fasting blood sugar (FBS), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were assessed at baseline and at the end of the study.

RESULTS

Sumac supplementation significantly reduced the appetite score (p = 0.02), serum levels of leptin (p = 0.03), NPY (p = 0.01), insulin (p = 0.03), FBS (p = 0.03), and HOMA-IR (p = 0.02) compared to the placebo group. QUICKI increased significantly in the sumac group compared to the placebo group (p = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

Sumac along with a CRD may have some beneficial effects on appetite through possible modulatory effects on leptin resistance, insulin sensitivity, and NPY levels in overweight and obese women with depression.

Cardiovascular Effects of Cydonia oblonga Miller (Quince)

Cydonia oblonga Miller (quince) is a monotypic genus in the Rosaceae family which used to treat or prevent many medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer, infections, and ulcer. This review will summarize the current state of knowledge available on botany, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of this plant with a focus on its effect on some cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, blood pressure, lipid profile, and body weight. Databases of Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and SID were searched systematically for English published articles with no date limitation. There were no human studies found, and all of the studies were conducted on animals or in vitro models. Reviewing of all 12 included articles showed that different types of quince extract have positive effects on cardiovascular-related factors such as blood pressure, diabetes, glucose metabolism, lipid profile, ROS, body weight, liver dysfunction, and thrombosis. An antihypertensive effect of quince showed to be a magnitude that is comparable to captopril and the lipid-lowering effect of quince showed to be a magnitude that is comparable to simvastatin. However, two studies evaluated the effect of quince fruit extract on insulin levels; one of them reported no positive effect, and the other one reported a significant positive effect. It can be concluded that different parts of quince including leaf, seed, and fruit could be used for improving cardiovascular-related factors including blood pressure, glucose metabolism and diabetes, obesity, and lipid-adjusting purposes. Quince was also found to have strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capacity. This study paves the way for further studies on the cardiovascular effect of quince consumption as a beneficial nutraceutical in humans.