Effects of Campomanesia xanthocarpa on biochemical, hematological and oxidative stress parameters in hypercholesterolemic patients.
BACKGROUND
In Southern Brazil, the plant Campomanesia xanthocarpa Berg. (Myrtaceae), popularly known as "guavirova", has been empirically used for its potential effect in reducing blood cholesterol levels.


OBJECTIVE
Since there are no scientific data confirming its popular use, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of Campomanesia xanthocarpa on biochemical, hematological, anthropometrical and oxidative stress parameters in hypercholesterolemic patients.


METHODS
Thirty three patients were selected according to total cholesterol (TC) levels: 200-240 mg/dL, undesirable level (UL), and >240 mg/dL, hypercholesterolemic level (HL). UL or HL patients were randomly divided into control group (CG), which received placebo capsules, and experimental group 250 (EG 250) or 500 (EG 500), which received either 250 or 500 mg of encapsulated Campomanesia xanthocarpa. All groups received a cholesterol restriction diet and capsules once a day. The biochemical (TC, triglycerides, HDL, LDL and VLDL), hematological (hematocrit and hemoglobin), anthropometrical (weight and abdominal circumference) and oxidative stress (protein carbonyl) parameters were measured before, 45 and 90 days after the treatment started.


RESULTS
There was no alteration on biochemical, hematological, anthropometric or oxidative stress parameters in UL patients of all groups. However, a significant decrease in TC and LDL levels was observed in HL patients from EG 500 group (reduction of 28+/-3% and 45+/-4% to levels before treatment) in relation to CG group patients (reduction of 12+/-2% and 29+/-4%). Moreover, a significant reduction in oxidative stress was observed in HL patients of EG 250 (51+/-12%) and EG 500 groups (34+/-18%) when compared to levels before treatment. A positive correlation between plasma oxidative stress PC and TC levels was observed. Finally, we found that Campomanesia xanthocarpa extract possesses anti-oxidant properties and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitory activity in vitro.


CONCLUSIONS
Confirming its popular use, the treatment with Campomanesia xanthocarpa encapsulated reduced blood TC and LDL levels in hypercholesterolemic patients.
Klafke
Jonatas Zeni
JZ
Instituto de Cardiologia de Cruz Alta, Cruz Alta, RS, Brazil.
da Silva
Mariane Arnoldi
MA
Panigas
Tiago Facchini
TF
Belli
Karlyse Claudino
KC
de Oliveira
Marileides Facco
MF
Barichello
Márcia Meister
MM
Rigo
Flavia Karine
FK
Rossato
Mateus Fortes
MF
Soares dos Santos
Adair Roberto
AR
Pizzolatti
Moacir Geraldo
MG
Ferreira
Juliano
J
Viecili
Paulo Ricardo Nazário
PR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D029582:Meliaceae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves
D010936:Plant Extracts