title: Phellodendron and Citrus extracts benefit cardiovascular health in osteoarthritis patients: a double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this clinical study was to assess the potential benefit of a dietary supplement, NP 06-1, on cardiovascular protective properties in overweight and normal weight adults diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the knee.
  
  
  METHODS
  An 8-week, placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study was conducted with four groups, comparing the effects of NP 06-1 to placebo in overweight and normal weight subjects diagnosed with primary osteoarthritis of the knee. NP 06-1 (a combination of two botanical extracts; Phellodendron amurense bark and Citrus sinensis peel) or matching placebo was given in a dose of two capsules (370 mg each) twice daily. The outcome measures reported are lipid levels, weight, BMI, blood pressure and fasting glucose. Analyses of variance were used to compare changes of physiological measures over the trial period and between groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighty (80) subjects were enrolled and 45 subjects completed the study. No serious adverse events were reported. NP 06-1 administration was associated with a general improvement in lipid levels. Both the overweight and normal weight treatment groups had significant reductions in triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol, as well as a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol compared to their respective control groups. Overall there were decreases in blood pressure in both overweight and normal weight treatment groups compared to respective placebo groups. There was also a significant decrease in fasting glucose levels in the overweight treatment group compared to the start of the study and to the overweight placebo group. There was no change in fasting blood sugar for the normal weight groups. Both overweight and normal weight treatment groups lost a significant amount of weight compared to their respective placebo groups. The overweight treatment group lost an average of 5% body weight after 8 weeks, which was associated with a significant loss in BMI over time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this pilot study NP 06-1 had a beneficial effect on cardiovascular risk factors; namely lipid levels, blood pressure and fasting glucose levels. Administration of NP 06-1 was also associated with weight loss.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Nutrition & Nutritional Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, University of Yaounde I, Cameroon. juliusoben@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Julius
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Oben
authors.forename: Ebangha
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Enonchong
authors.forename: Shil
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kothari
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chambliss
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Garrison
authors.forename: Deanne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dolnick
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control; D002957:Citrus / Q000737:chemistry*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000097:blood; D050177:Overweight; D032102:Phellodendron / Q000737:chemistry*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D010936:Plant Extracts