The effect of garlic (Allium sativum) supplementation on the lipid parameters and blood pressure levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent female endocrine-related disorder in reproductive ages. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of garlic on the lipid parameters and blood pressure levels in women with PCOS. The present study was a randomized, double-blinded control trial, conducted on 80 PCOS patients. Participants were taught to intake either a total 800 mg/day garlic supplement or an identical placebo (starch) after lunch for 8 weeks. Physical activity, diet intake, anthropometric measures, and blood pressure were evaluated at baseline and end of the study. The blood sample was also taken to assess the change in outcomes of interest at the pre-and post-intervention. Garlic supplementation significantly reduced serum total cholesterol (change mean difference: À8.05, 95% CI: À15.47, À0.62) and LDL-C (change mean difference: À7.67, 95%CI: À14.64, À0.70) levels in comparison to the control group. In addition, a trend to a significant decrease was found in serum triglyceride levels and Systolic blood pressure; however, no significant difference was observed between two groups in HDL-C and diastolic blood pressure levels. The present study suggested that garlic supplementation might be effective on lipid markers improvement. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.

Biological properties and therapeutic applications of garlic and its components

“…84,85 In addition, (1 R ,3 S )-1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-β-carboline-3-carboxylic acid obtained from garlic was found to prevent adiposity by regulating the expression of genes involved in the lipid metabolism of adipocytes, downregulating lipogenic genes and upregulating lipolytic genes. 86 Likewise, experimental studies are in agreement with these findings, observing garlic supplementation to be beneficial in reducing plasma levels of total cholesterol and LDL in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, 87 polycystic ovary syndrome, 88 and hyperlipidemia. 89–91 In contrast, Jung et al observed that daily supplementation of 6 g of black AGE in patients with hypercholesterolemia did not decrease LDL, although they did report an increase in HDL.…”

A scoping review on natural cholesterol lowering supplements sold in South African pharmacies

“…The extracts derived from various plants were identified 22 times and seen in 5 different investigative products, making extracts the most common highest number of NCLSs identified on the South African market. Commonly used extracts such as garlic ( Allium sativum ) and red yeast rice (RYR) ( Monascus purpureus ) have been demonstrated to lower serum cholesterol (Barrat et al 2013b ; Zadhoush et al 2021 ). Red yeast rice (RYR) is not included into investigative products; however, it is found through rice fermentation by the fungus Monascus purpureus and contains monacolin K, which is chemically identical to lovastatin and can cause the same types of side effects and drug interactions as lovastatin (Nguyen, Karl & Santini 2017 ).…”

“…For most extracts, inadequate evidence exists to support its scientific claims of hypolipidaemic effects. Importantly, the daily intake of extracts as a supplement can maximally reach tens of milligrams, which is far below the therapeutic dosage of the hypolipidaemic effect (Dwyer et al 2018 ), thereby having little or no impact on the reduction of cholesterol levels (Ahmed Eid, Helal & Salah EL-Din Ahmed El-Wahsh 2011 ; Alobaidi 2014 ; Al-Azhary 2011 ; Arnaboldi, Corsini & Bellosta 2022 ; Bao, Bai & Borijihan 2012 ; Barrat et al 2013a , 2013b ; Bhandari et al 2013 ; Chew et al 2019 ; Cicero et al 2019 ; Donato et al 2021 ; Ghyasi, Mohaddes & Naderi 2019 ; Iskandar et al 2020 ; Koutsos et al 2020 ; Maruthupandian, Maruthupandian & Mohan 2011 ; Moelviani and Armansyah 2019 ; Mohammadi et al 2013 ; Ogier et al 2013 ; Okwu et al 2015 ; Pendurkar & Mengi 2009 ; Riva et al 2021 ; Rondanelli et al 2013 ; Ruscica et al 2019 ; Setyowati & Ulya 2021 ; Tripathi, Gupta & Singh 2019 ; Uchendu et al 2020 ; Upadya et al 2019 ; Whitfield et al 2016 ; Yang et al 2018 ; Zadhoush et al 2021 ; Zeb et al 2018 ). Despite the scientific claims of hypolipidaemic effects associated with most extracts, there is insufficient evidence to support these claims.…”

“…Those who are taking NCLS should be advised to have regular follow-ups with a medical professional to monitor for potential side effects and interactions with ingredients from the supplements and drugs. Common ingredients such as Allium sativum (Garlic), green tea extract, policosanol and fish oil should be taken with care as they may interact with some blood-thinning medications (Zadhoush et al 2021 ). Common gastrointestinal side effects such as diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting can be experienced in ingredients such as berberine, fish oil and green tea extracts (Zhao et al 2021 ).…”

Exploration of Physicochemical, Phytochemical, and HPTLC Analysis of Arputha Mathirai: A Siddha Herbo Mineral Formulation for Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

“…Arputha Mathirai and their individual therapeutic effects. Some of these studies have investigated the ovulation-inducing properties of asafetida [16], the hypolipidemic effects of cumin and black pepper [17,18,19], the anti-diabetic, antiatherosclerotic, anti-thrombotic, and antihyperlipidemic activities of garlic as well as its role as an oxidative stress marker [20,21], and the emmenagogue properties of asafetida [22,23]. These studies have collectively established the therapeutic significance of these specific ingredients within the formulation.…”