Effects of garlic extract on lipid profile in patients with coronary artery disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials

Influence of Garlic on the Glycemic Control and Lipid Profile in Animals with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the hepatic sign of metabolic syndrome. Here, we aimed to assess the effects of garlic and its major components on fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, and lipid profile levels in animal models of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. A systematic search in PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, and Web of Science was performed. After the screening process and data extraction, the pooled effect sizes were estimated using a random-effect model and stated as standardized mean differences and a 95% confidence interval. Out of 839 reports, 22 articles were included in the present study. The pooled results revealed that garlic and its components significantly decreased fasting plasma glucose (standardized mean difference: - 0.77, 95% confidence interval: - 1.42 to - 0.12, I2 : 58.85%), fasting insulin (standardized mean difference: - 1.88, 95% confidence interval: - 3.07 to - 0.69, I2 : 70.42%), serum triglyceride (standardized mean difference: - 1.01, 95% confidence interval: - 1.43 to - 0.59, I2 : 61.41%), cholesterol (standardized mean difference: - 1.00, 95% confidence interval: - 1.39 to - 0.60, I2 : 52.12%), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (standardized mean difference: - 0.98, 95% CI: - 1.63 to - 0.32, I2 : 71.58%) and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (standardized mean difference: 1.05, 95% confidence interval: 0.52 to 1.58, I2 : 59.39%) levels. The type of animal, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease induction model, kind and duration of intervention, study model, and risk of bias were detected as possible sources of heterogeneity across studies. We conclude that garlic and its major components have a favorable impact on glycemic control and lipid profile in diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease animal models.

Potential antihypertensive activity of novel peptides from green basil leaves

Hypertension is among the risk factors of death globally. Novel antihypertensive peptides are alternative choices of antihypertensive assistance. This study aimed to discover novel antihypertensive peptides from green basil leaves. Two bioactive peptides with high angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition (Asp-Leu-Ser-Ser-Ala-Pro; peptide 1) and antioxidant (Asp-Ser-Val-Ser-Ala-Ser-Pro; peptide 2) activities were gavaged to male Wistar rats induced with NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl-ester (L-NAME). L-NAME-treated rats (HT) had decreased body weights and levels of nitrite and nitrate, which are metabolites of nitric oxide. The levels of their glucose and liver function indicators increased as compared to normal rats. HT rats receiving antihypertensive drugs (HTD) showed higher low-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein levels than HT rats. Peptide 1 seems to benefit the rat lipid profiles, liver functions, antioxidant, nitrite, nitrate, and angiotensin II peptide levels but not peptide 2. In conclusion, our findings indicate the antihypertensive potential related to vasodilation of peptides from green basil leaves.

Comparative Effects of Low-Dose Rosuvastatin, Placebo, and Dietary Supplements on Lipids and Inflammatory Biomarkers

BACKGROUND

Supplements are commonly used by individuals with indications for lipid-lowering therapy, but evidence of their effectiveness to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is lacking, particularly when compared with statins.

OBJECTIVES

The trial objective was to compare the efficacy of a low-dose statin with placebo and 6 common supplements in impacting lipid and inflammatory biomarkers.

METHODS

This was a single-center, prospective, randomized, single-blind clinical trial among adults with no history of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), an LDL-C of 70 to 189 mg/dL, and an increased 10-year risk of ASCVD. Participants were randomized to rosuvastatin 5 mg daily, placebo, fish oil, cinnamon, garlic, turmeric, plant sterols, or red yeast rice. The primary endpoint was the percent change in LDL-C from baseline for rosuvastatin 5 mg daily compared with placebo and each supplement after 28 days. The primary endpoint was evaluated in a hierarchical fashion with rosuvastatin first compared with placebo, then each supplement in a prespecified order using analysis of covariance.

RESULTS

A total of 190 participants completed the study. The percent LDL-C reduction with rosuvastatin was greater than all supplements and placebo (P < 0.001). The difference in LDL-C reduction with rosuvastatin compared with placebo was -35.2% (95% CI: -41.3% to -29.1%; P < 0.001). None of the dietary supplements demonstrated a significant decrease in LDL-C compared with placebo. Adverse event rates were similar across study groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Among individuals with increased 10-year risk for ASCVD, rosuvastatin 5 mg daily lowered LDL-C significantly more than placebo, fish oil, cinnamon, garlic, turmeric, plant sterols, and red yeast rice. (Supplements, Placebo, or Rosuvastatin Study [SPORT]; NCT04846231).

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) in diabetes and its complications: Recent advances in mechanisms of action

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and impaired islet secretion that places a heavy burden on the global health care system due to its high incidence rate, long disease course and many complications. Fortunately, garlic (Allium sativum L.), a well-known medicinal plant and functional food without the toxicity and side effects of conventional drugs, has shown positive effects in the treatment of diabetes and its complications. With interdisciplinary development and in-depth exploration, we offer a clear and comprehensive summary of the research from the past ten years, focusing on the mechanisms and development processes of garlic in the treatment of diabetes and its complications, aiming to provide a new perspective for the treatment of diabetes and promote the efficient development of this field.

Hypertension and Dyslipidemia Combined Therapeutic Approaches

Treating blood pressure (BP) alone may provide only limited benefits while it is recommendable to manage the total cardiovascular risk. To date, several studies have shown that concomitant treatment of hypertension and dyslipidemia with non-pharmacological approaches and/or metabolically neutral antihypertensive drugs and statins produce a significantly greater reduction of the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Thus, in this review article, we summarize the available evidence regarding non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches with a favourable effect on both BP and lipids.