title: Efficacy of a Standardized Extract of Prunus mume in Liver Protection and Redox Homeostasis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.
abstract: The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects of Prunus mume (PM) have previously been demonstrated. This double-blind, placebo-controlled study was designed to evaluate the influence of two doses of a food supplement, made of 150 mg of a standardized PM extract on liver transaminases, lipid profile, glycemia, neopterin and reduced and oxidized thiols in plasma and erythrocytes, during a 3-month treatment period, in healthy subjects with transaminases levels between 20 and 40 UI/L. Forty-five subjects (56.0 ± 11.6 years) were enrolled. The results showed a beneficial and statistically significant effect versus placebo of PM extract on liver function, with a decrease versus baseline in alanine aminotransferase (47%), aspartate aminotransferase (7%), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (15%) and glycemia (11%). The lipid profile modification was also positive with an increase versus baseline in HDL cholesterol (13%), and a decrease in LDL/HDL ratio (12%) and triglycerides (8%). The antioxidant action of PM translated into a decrease in oxidized glutathione, reduced/oxidized cysteine-glycine, oxidized cysteine (intracellular pro-oxidant) and neopterin (inflammation biomarker), was associated with an increase in reduced glutathione. These results are in favor of the use of a standardized extract of P. mume for the support of liver health and prevention of common metabolic and inflammation-based diseases. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Clinic, Division of Immunology and Infectious Diseases, San Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Beretta
authors.affiliation: National Council of Research (NCR), Institute of Clinical Physiology, CardioThoracic and Vascular Department, Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Accinni
authors.affiliation: National Council of Research (NCR), Institute of Clinical Physiology, CardioThoracic and Vascular Department, Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dellanoce
authors.affiliation: National Council of Research (NCR), Institute of Clinical Physiology, CardioThoracic and Vascular Department, Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Annamaria
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tonini
authors.affiliation: Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Michel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cardot
authors.affiliation: Stragen Pharma SA, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bussière
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D027861:Prunus / Q000737:chemistry*
keywords: Prunus mume; glycemia; lipid profile; liver disorder; metabolic syndrome; transaminase