Ferulic Acid Supplementation Improves Lipid Profiles, Oxidative Stress, and Inflammatory Status in Hyperlipidemic Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Ferulic acid is the most abundant phenolic compound found in vegetables and cereal grains. In vitro and animal studies have shown ferulic acid has anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory effects. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of ferulic acid supplementation on lipid profiles, oxidative stress, and inflammatory status in hyperlipidemia. The study design is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Subjects with hyperlipidemia were randomly divided into two groups. The treatment group (n = 24) was given ferulic acid (1000 mg daily) and the control group (n = 24) was provided with a placebo for six weeks. Lipid profiles, biomarkers of oxidative stress and inflammation were assessed before and after the intervention. Ferulic acid supplementation demonstrated a statistically significant decrease in total cholesterol (8.1%; p = 0.001), LDL-C (9.3%; p < 0.001), triglyceride (12.1%; p = 0.049), and increased HDL-C (4.3%; p = 0.045) compared with the placebo. Ferulic acid also significantly decreased the oxidative stress biomarker, MDA (24.5%; p < 0.001). Moreover, oxidized LDL-C was significantly decreased in the ferulic acid group (7.1%; p = 0.002) compared with the placebo group. In addition, ferulic acid supplementation demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in the inflammatory markers hs-CRP (32.66%; p < 0.001) and TNF-α (13.06%; p < 0.001). These data indicate ferulic acid supplementation can improve lipid profiles and oxidative stress, oxidized LDL-C, and inflammation in hyperlipidemic subjects. Therefore, ferulic acid has the potential to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors.

The Effects and Mechanisms of Cyanidin-3-Glucoside and Its Phenolic Metabolites in Maintaining Intestinal Integrity

“…Recent studies have suggested that C3G potentially exerts functions primarily through C3G metabolites (C3G-Ms) [7], and more than 20 kinds of C3G-Ms have been identified in serum by a pharmacokinetics study in humans [8]. Although the function and mechanism of C3G-Ms are still not clear, protocatechuic acid (PCA) [9][10][11][12], phloroglucinaldehyde (PGA) [1], vanillic acid (VA) [13][14][15], ferulic acid (FA) [16][17][18][19], and their derivates represent the main bioactive metabolites of C3G due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Figure 1.…”

MicroRNA-9 Mediated the Protective Effect of Ferulic Acid on Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury in Neonatal Rats

“…A growing number of researchers have discovered the beneficial influence of FA in stress-induced injury [33]. Treatment with FA has a protective effect by reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting ROS production in PC12 cells treated with the neurotoxin lead acetate [34].…”

High glucose induced calcium overload via impairment of SERCA/PLN pathway and mitochondrial dysfunction leads to oxidative stress in H9c2 cells and amelioration with ferulic acid

“…FA through its antioxidant properties is reported to be beneficial in prevention and/or treatment of disorders linked to oxidative stress, including Alzheimer's disease , diabetes , cancers , hypertension, dyslipidemia, and atherosclerosis . In addition, its derivatives have been found effective against several inflammatory diseases due to its anti‐inflammatory properties . There are reports on FA for its potential against diabetes and associated complications.…”