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Green cardamom plus low-calorie diet can decrease the expression of inflammatory genes among obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a double-blind randomized clinical trial.

  • 2021-05-31
  • Eating and weight disorders : EWD 27(2)
    • Sahar Cheshmeh
    • Maysa Ghayyem
    • Firoozeh Khamooshi
    • Neda Heidarzadeh-Esfahani
    • Negin Rahmani
    • Niloofar Hojati
    • Elaheh Mosaieby
    • Shima Moradi
    • Yahya Pasdar

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size
n = 99
Population
194 obese women with PCOS
Methods
randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial; 3 g/day green cardamom plus low-calorie diet vs placebo plus low-calorie diet
Blinding
Double-blind
Duration
4 months
Funding
Unclear

Purpose

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder and a common cause of infertility among women that is associated with low-grade inflammation. Therefore, the current randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to assess the effects of green cardamom supplementation on the serum level of inflammatory markers and their gene expression among obese women with PCOS.

Methods

We included 194 obese women with PCOS and administered low-calorie diet to all of them. These subjects were randomly divided into two groups including the intervention group with 3 g/day green cardamom (n = 99) and the placebo group (n = 95). Anthropometric indices, androgen hormones, and inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CRP)] were assessed before and after the 4-month intervention. TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP gene expression levels were measured using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method.

Results

Anthropometric indices were improved in both studied groups (P < 0.001). Among androgen hormones, luteinizing hormone, androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone were significantly decreased (P < 0.001), and follicle-stimulating hormone was significantly increased (P < 0.001) in the green cardamom group. Our findings showed that TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP serum levels were significantly decreased after the intervention with green cardamom plus low-calorie diet (P < 0.001). In addition, the expression levels of TNF-α and CRP genes were significantly decreased in the intervention group (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The present study supports the beneficial anti-inflammatory effect of green cardamom on the inflammatory state in PCOS women.

Level of evidence

Level I: randomized clinical trial. Trial registration This trial was registered with the Iranian Clinical Trials Registry (registration number: IRCT20200608047697N1). 1 August, 2020; https://www.irct.ir/trial/48748 .

Research Insights

  • Cardamom→Increased Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Level

    follicle-stimulating hormone was significantly increased (P < 0.001) in the green cardamom group.

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    3 g/day
  • Cardamom→Reduced Androstenedione Level

    Among androgen hormones, luteinizing hormone, androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone were significantly decreased (P < 0.001)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    3 g/day
  • Cardamom→Reduced Body Weight

    Anthropometric indices were improved in both studied groups (P < 0.001).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    3 g/day
  • Cardamom→Reduced C-Reactive Protein Levels

    TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP serum levels were significantly decreased after the intervention with green cardamom plus low-calorie diet (P < 0.001). In addition, the expression levels of TNF-α and CRP genes were significantly decreased in the intervention group (P < 0.001).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    3 g/day
  • Cardamom→Reduced Dehydroepiandrosterone Level

    Among androgen hormones, luteinizing hormone, androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone were significantly decreased (P < 0.001)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    3 g/day
  • Cardamom→Reduced Interleukin-6 Levels

    TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP serum levels were significantly decreased after the intervention with green cardamom plus low-calorie diet (P < 0.001).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    3 g/day
  • Cardamom→Reduced Luteinizing Hormone Level

    Among androgen hormones, luteinizing hormone, androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone were significantly decreased (P < 0.001)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    3 g/day
  • Cardamom→Reduced Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha

    TNF-α, IL-6, and CRP serum levels were significantly decreased after the intervention with green cardamom plus low-calorie diet (P < 0.001). In addition, the expression levels of TNF-α and CRP genes were significantly decreased in the intervention group (P < 0.001).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    3 g/day
  • Cardamom→Reduced Waist Circumference

    Anthropometric indices were improved in both studied groups (P < 0.001).

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    3 g/day
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