Potential Cardioprotective Effects of Sumac Capsule in Patients With Hyperlipidemia: A Triple-Blind Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Crossover Trial Publisher Pubmed

Summary: A study found sumac lowers cholesterol, blood pressure, and BMI, boosting heart health in people with high lipids. #HeartHealth #Nutrition

Asgary S¹ ; Salehizadeh L² ; Keshvari M¹ ; Taheri M³ ; Spence ND^{4, 5} ; Farvid MS^{5, 6} ; Rafieiankopaei M⁷ ; Sarrafzadegan N¹
Source: Journal of the American College of Nutrition Published:2018

Abstract

Objective: Alternative medicine and herbal drugs have been taken into account for managing cardiovascular risk factors. Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) is rich in biologically active ingredients known to improve cardiovascular health. We investigated the effect of sumac on systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, flow-mediated dilation (FMD), body mass index (BMI), and serum concentrations of lipids and fasting blood sugar (FBS) in participants with hyperlipidemia in a triple-blind randomized placebo- controlled crossover trial. Methods: Thirty adults with dyslipidemia (mild to moderate elevation of plasma total cholesterol and/or triglycerides [TG; total cholesterol ≥ 6.0 mmol/L or TG ≥ 1.7 mmol/L and TG ≤ 5.0 mmol/L]) were assigned randomly to a sumac or a placebo group. Participants in the sumac group received sumac capsules (500 mg/twice daily) for the first 4 weeks, followed by 2 weeks’ washout period; the patients were then switched to a 4-week interval and received placebo for 4 weeks in the second period. The placebo group received these treatments in reverse order. FMD, BMI, SBP, DBP, lipids, and FBS were measured at baseline and after each period. Results: Differences between placebo group and sumac group (placebo-sumac) were significantly decreased for BMI (0.21 ± 0.075 kg/m 2 ), SBP (1.87 ± 0.83 mm Hg), DBP (1.32 ± 0.46 mm Hg), and total cholesterol (14.42 ± 4.95 mmol/L) and significantly increased for FMD (−0.23% ± 0.065%). Plasma level of TG did not change significantly across the treatment. Conclusion: Sumac consumption may decrease cardiovascular risk factors in persons with mild to moderate hyperlipidemia. © 2018 American College of Nutrition.