Effects of Salacia oblonga on cardiovascular risk factors in chronic kidney disease patients: a prospective study.

2015
Saudi journal of kidney diseases and transplantation : an official publication of the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation, Saudi Arabia 26(1)
- Rana Gopal Singh
- Surendra Singh Rathore
- Imtiyaz Ahmad Wani
- Aruna Agrawal
- Govind Prasad Dubey

PubMed: 25579717
DOI: 10.4103/1319-2442.148736

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population: 60 patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), including non-diabetic and diabetic subgroups
Methods: Randomized into four groups: non-diabetic CKD given Salacia oblonga for six months, non-diabetic CKD placebo, diabetic CKD treated with Salacia oblonga for six months, diabetic CKD placebo. Renal function tests, lipid profile, IL-6, and CRP measured at baseline, monthly intervals, and at three and six months.
Duration: six months
Funding: Unclear

The present study is aimed to evaluate the effect of the herbal drug Salacia oblonga on reduction of cardiovascular risk factors in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Sixty patients were randomized in four groups; group A1 = non-diabetic CKD given trial drug Salacia oblonga for six months, group A 2 = non-diabetic CKD intended to receive placebo, group B1 = diabetic CKD treated with Salacia oblonga for six months and group B 2 = diabetic CKD patients intended to receive placebo. Estimation of renal function tests including blood urea, serum creatinine and creatinine clearance was performed at baseline and after that at monthly intervals. Lipid profile, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured at baseline and were repeated at three months and six months. After six months of treatment, Salacia oblonga could reduce the triglyceride levels by 23.66% (P = 0.008) in non-diabetic and by 17.45% (P = 0.01) in diabetic CKD patients. In comparison with placebo, both non-diabetic and diabetic CKD patients treated with Salacia oblonga showed significant reduction in CRP levels (P = 0.002 and 0.03, respectively), while significant reduction in IL-6 (P-value = 0.0003) and serum cholesterol levels (P-value = 0.0001) was seen only in diabetic CKD patients treated with Salacia oblonga. Stabilization of creatinine clearance with Salacia oblonga was observed in both non-diabetic (P = 0.05) and diabetic CKD (P = 0.04) patients in comparison with placebo. Salacia oblonga has significant beneficial effects on lipid profile and markers of inflammation and endothelial dysfunction in CKD patients. Salacia oblonga also seems to have a reno-protective effect, as reflected by stabilization of creatinine clearance at six months in this study.

Research Insights

Salacia→Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels
both non-diabetic and diabetic CKD patients treated with Salacia oblonga showed significant reduction in CRP levels (P = 0.002 and 0.03, respectively)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Salacia→Reduced Interleukin-6 Levels
while significant reduction in IL-6 (P-value = 0.0003) and serum cholesterol levels (P-value = 0.0001) was seen only in diabetic CKD patients treated with Salacia oblonga.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Salacia→Reduced Total Cholesterol Levels
while significant reduction in IL-6 (P-value = 0.0003) and serum cholesterol levels (P-value = 0.0001) was seen only in diabetic CKD patients treated with Salacia oblonga.
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Salacia→Reduced Triglyceride Levels
Salacia oblonga could reduce the triglyceride levels by 23.66% (P = 0.008) in non-diabetic and by 17.45% (P = 0.01) in diabetic CKD patients.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Salacia→Stabilized Creatinine Clearance
Stabilization of creatinine clearance with Salacia oblonga was observed in both non-diabetic (P = 0.05) and diabetic CKD (P = 0.04) patients in comparison with placebo.
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small