title: Anti-inflammatory effect of water extracts of Graptopetalum paraguayense supplementation in subjects with metabolic syndrome: a preliminary study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many studies have demonstrated that Graptopetalum paraguayense has good antioxidant ability; however, few studies have examined its anti-inflammatory effect. The study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of water extracts of G. paraguayense (WGP, 4 g day(-1)) in subjects with metabolic syndrome (MS). Intervention was administered for 12 weeks. Levels of inflammatory markers [high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6)] and antioxidant enzymes activities were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-two subjects completed the 12 week intervention study (placebo, n = 19; WGP, n = 23). After 12 weeks supplementation, subjects in WGP group had significantly lower levels of inflammatory markers than the baseline (P < 0.05) and the placebo group (CRP, P = 0.07; TNF-α, P = 0.04; IL-6, P = 0.03). The changes in levels of the inflammatory markers were significantly decreased in WGP group (CRP, P = 0.04; TNF-α, P = 0.06; IL-6, P = 0.01) compared to the placebo group. Levels of inflammatory markers were significantly negatively correlated with the antioxidant enzymes activities after supplementation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated a significant reduction in inflammatory status in MS after WGP supplementation. WGP may exert an anti-inflammatory effect on MS in addition to its antioxidant ability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Food, Chung Chou University of Science and Technology, Changhua, 51003, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shu-Ju
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 40201, Taiwan.|School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, 40201, Taiwan.|Center for Education and Research on Geriatrics and Gerontology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, 40201, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chi-Hua
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Yen
authors.affiliation: School of Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, 40201, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jen-Tzu
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: School of Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, 40201, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yu-Fen
authors.initials: YF
authors.lastname: Tseng
authors.affiliation: School of Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, 40201, Taiwan.|Department of Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, 40201, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ping-Ting
authors.initials: PT
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers; D029627:Crassulaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D015415:Biomarkers; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Graptopetalum paraguayense; antioxidant; inflammation; metabolic syndrome