Green cardamom plus low-calorie diet can decrease the expression of inflammatory genes among obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a double-blind randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Purpose Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder and a common cause of infertility among women that is associated with low-grade inflammation. Therefore, the current randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to assess the effects of green cardamom supplementation on the serum level of inflammatory markers and their gene expression among obese women with PCOS. Methods We included 194 obese women with PCOS and administered low-calorie diet to all of them. These subjects were randomly divided into two groups including the intervention group with 3 g/day green cardamom ( n = 99) and the placebo group ( n = 95). Anthropometric indices, androgen hormones, and inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP)] were assessed before and after the 4-month intervention. TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP gene expression levels were measured using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. Results Anthropometric indices were improved in both studied groups ( P < 0.001). Among androgen hormones, luteinizing hormone, androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone were significantly decreased ( P < 0.001), and follicle-stimulating hormone was significantly increased ( P < 0.001) in the green cardamom group. Our findings showed that TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP serum levels were significantly decreased after the intervention with green cardamom plus low-calorie diet ( P < 0.001). In addition, the expression levels of TNF-α and CRP genes were significantly decreased in the intervention group ( P < 0.001). Conclusions The present study supports the beneficial anti-inflammatory effect of green cardamom on the inflammatory state in PCOS women. Level of evidence Level I: randomized clinical trial. Trial registration This trial was registered with the Iranian Clinical Trials Registry (registration number: IRCT20200608047697N1). 1 August, 2020; https://www.irct.ir/trial/48748 .

Cardamom

“…Compared with placebo, those consuming cardamom exhibited a significant decrease in serum levels of several androgen hormones and inflammatory markers. This effect on these markers is similar to other trials measuring indicators of inflammation, 11,23,26,27 in which intake of cardamom was associated with beneficial changes in at least 1 inflammatory marker. Although preliminary, these collective results suggest cardamom's potential anti-inflammatory efficacy could be studied in other conditions of chronic inflammation.…”

“…The effects of cardamom intake on overweight/obese subjects with different associated disorders were examined in 4 trials. In particular, 3 of these trials recruited women with signs and symptoms of prediabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, and atherosclerosis, 11,[22][23][24]27 and another studied patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. 25,26 In the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease trial of Daneshi-Maskooni et al, 25 more than half the participants were aged 40 to 60 years and had low physical activity and body mass index ≥30 kg/m 2 .…”

“…A methanolic extract of E. cardamomum seeds displayed estrogenic, antiestrogenic, and androgenic activities when evaluated in in vitro receptor-specific bioassays. 86 In light of the ability of cardamom seed intake to influence androgen and gonadotropin levels in women, 27 its potential action as an endocrine disruptor in humans should be examined. Supplements of cardamom seed powder currently marketed typically recommended intakes between 0.5 and 4 g/d, with or without food.…”

Supplementation of quinoa regulates glycolipid metabolism and endoplasmic reticulum stress in the high-fat diet-induced female obese mice

“…If present trends continue, by 2025, global obesity prevalence will surpass 21% in women. Obesity is associated with many negative influences on a female's health, such as infertility [24], polycystic ovary syndrome [25], breast cancer [26], and other adverse maternal and fetal effects prenatally. Therefore, finding strategies to address women's obesity is particularly significant and challenging.…”

Cardamom

“…The outcomes of the large RCT by Cheshmeh et al 27 are worth highlighting. Inflammatory markers were measured in women with polycystic ovary syndrome following green cardamom intake (3 g/d) for 4 months.…”