Supplementation with Cynanchum wilfordii radix extract for 8 weeks lowers serum total cholesterol: A controlled, randomized, double‐blind clinical trial

Abstract

This trial aimed to determine the effect of a standardized Cynanchum wilfordii Radix extract (CWE) on the lipid profiles of individuals with elevated total cholesterol (T‐Chol) using a double‐blind randomized placebo‐controlled design. Ninety‐six Korean individuals with elevated T‐Chol level (200–240 mg/dL) were recruited and randomly allocated to groups that received VasH300 (300 mg CWE/day, n = 32), VasH600 (600 mg CWE/day, n = 32), or a placebo (n = 32) groups. Primary outcomes included T‐Chol, low‐density lipoprotein (LDL)‐cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol, triglyceride, and safety (adverse events, biochemical parameters, and hematological parameters). Data were compared using a one‐way analysis of variance followed by Duncan's post‐hoc tests (among groups) and paired t tests (within groups). Values for T‐Chol and LDL‐cholesterol were significantly reduced in the VasH300 and groups (VasH300: 4.0 and 6.4%, respectively; VasH600; 3.8 and 5.8% respectively; both p < .05) compared with the placebo group and were not dose‐dependent. VasH300 significantly improved the lipid profiles of individuals with elevated T‐Chol without any serious side effects. Daily supplementation with VasH might be an alternative strategy with which to modify cholesterol‐related parameters, especially in individuals with elevated T‐Chol levels.

Comparative sub-chronic toxicity studies in rats of two indistinguishable herbal plants, Cynanchum wilfordii (Maxim.) Hemsley and Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight

“…Several researches and studies about beneficial aspects of CW and CA, and its components have been reported since then. Especially, liver protection (Qin et al, 2021 ) and lipid profile control (Shin et al, 2020 ) of CH and CA were published in recently conducted in vitro tests and clinical trials. Still, toxicities of CW and CA were not been clearly identified.…”

Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight., Cynanchum bungei Decne. and Cynanchum wilfordii (Maxim.) Hemsl.: Current Research and Prospects

“…However, all these events were mild reactions and not statistically significant. Subsequently, 64 subjects with high cholesterol were selected to take ethanol extract of CW at the dosages of 300 and 600 mg/d in 2020, resulting in four participants with emerging symptoms of blepharospasm, constipation, vomiting, and pruritus [ 160 ]. The manifestation of these symptoms was mild enough with low toxicity that no medication was required and there were no significant abnormalities based on the complete blood counts and blood chemistry results.…”