Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) oil could improve abdominal obesity, blood pressure, and insulin resistance in patients with metabolic syndrome: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

2021-09-04
Journal of ethnopharmacology 282
- Maede Ruyvaran
- Ali Zamani
- Alireza Mohamadian
- Mohammad M Zarshenas
- Mohammad Hassan Eftekhari
- Saeedeh Pourahmad
- Ebrahim Fallahzadeh Abarghooei
- Abolfazl Akbari
- Majid Nimrouzi

PubMed: 34487844
DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114590

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size: n = 67
Population: 67 patients with Metabolic Syndrome
Methods: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 8 g safflower oil daily for 12 weeks
Blinding: Double-blind
Duration: 12 weeks
Funding: Unclear

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Carthamus tinctorius L. (Safflower) has been widely recommended to treat metabolic disorders in traditional herbal medicine in Persia, China, Korea, Japan, and other East-Asian countries. The anti-hypercholesterolemic and antioxidant effects of this plant have been well documented, but its protective effects against Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) have not been fully illustrated.

Aim of the study

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of safflower oil on MetS risk factors.

Materials and methods

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 67 patients with MetS were administered either divided 8 g safflower oil or placebo daily for 12 weeks. All patients were advised to follow their previous diets and physical activities.

Results

Safflower oil resulted in a significant reduction in waist circumference (-2.42 ± 3.24 vs. 0.97 ± 2.53, p<0.001), systolic blood pressure (-8.80 ± 9.77 vs. -2.26 ± 8.56, p = 0.021), diastolic blood pressure (-3.53 ± 7.52 vs. -0.70 ± 6.21, p = 0.041), fasting blood sugar (-5.03 ± 10.62 vs. 2.94 ± 7.57, p = 0.003), and insulin resistance (-0.59 ± 1.43 vs. 0.50 ± 1, p = 0.012), but an increase in adiponectin level (0.38 ± 0.99 vs. -0.09 ± 0.81, p = 0.042) in the treatment group in comparison to the placebo group. The results revealed a direct relationship between leptin level and Body Mass Index (BMI) in both groups (p<0.001). In addition, increase in BMI resulted in a non-significant decrease in adiponectin level in both groups. Moreover, no significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding lipid profiles, leptin serum level, serum creatinine concentration, and other outcomes.

Conclusion

Safflower oil without lifestyle modification improved abdominal obesity, blood pressure, and insulin resistance in patients with MetS.

Research Insights

Safflower→Improved Insulin Sensitivity
Safflower oil resulted in a significant reduction in ... insulin resistance (-0.59 ± 1.43 vs. 0.50 ± 1, p = 0.012)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
8 g/day
Safflower→Increased Adiponectin Levels
Safflower oil resulted in ... increase in adiponectin level (0.38 ± 0.99 vs. -0.09 ± 0.81, p = 0.042)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
8 g/day
Safflower→Increased HDL Cholesterol Levels
no significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding lipid profiles
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
8 g/day
Safflower→Reduced Blood Cholesterol
no significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding lipid profiles
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
8 g/day
Safflower→Reduced Creatinine
no significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding ... serum creatinine concentration
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
8 g/day
Safflower→Reduced Diastolic Blood Pressure
Safflower oil resulted in a significant reduction in ... diastolic blood pressure (-3.53 ± 7.52 vs. -0.70 ± 6.21, p = 0.041)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
8 g/day
Safflower→Reduced Fasting Blood Glucose Levels
Safflower oil resulted in a significant reduction in ... fasting blood sugar (-5.03 ± 10.62 vs. 2.94 ± 7.57, p = 0.003)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
8 g/day
Safflower→Reduced LDL Cholesterol
no significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding lipid profiles
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
8 g/day
Safflower→Reduced Systolic Blood Pressure
Safflower oil resulted in a significant reduction in ... systolic blood pressure (-8.80 ± 9.77 vs. -2.26 ± 8.56, p = 0.021)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
8 g/day
Safflower→Reduced Triglyceride Levels
no significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding lipid profiles
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
8 g/day
Safflower→Reduced Uric Acid Levels
no significant difference was observed between the two groups regarding ... leptin serum level
Effect
Neutral
Effect size
Small
Dose
8 g/day
Safflower→Reduced Waist Circumference
Safflower oil resulted in a significant reduction in waist circumference (-2.42 ± 3.24 vs. 0.97 ± 2.53, p<0.001)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
8 g/day