Supplementation of a standardized extract from Phyllanthus emblica improves cardiovascular risk factors and platelet aggregation in overweight/class-1 obese adults

Abstract

The objective of this study (clinicaltrials.gov NCT01858376) was to determine the effect of oral supplementation of a standardized extract of Phyllanthus emblica (CAPROS(®)) on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in overweight adult human subjects from the US population. Overweight/Class-1 obese (body-mass index: 25-35) adult subjects received 500 mg of CAPROS supplement b.i.d for 12 weeks. The study design included two baseline visits followed by 12 weeks of supplementation and then 2 weeks of washout. At all visits, peripheral venous blood was collected in sodium citrate tubes. Lipid profile measurements demonstrated a significant decrease in calculated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein following 12 weeks of CAPROS supplementation when compared to averaged baseline visits. Circulatory high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels were significantly decreased after 12 weeks of supplementation. In addition, both ADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation was significantly downregulated following 12 weeks of supplementation. Overall, the study suggests that oral CAPROS supplementation may provide beneficial effects in overweight/Class-1 obese adults by lowering multiple global CVD risk factors.

Keywords: Phyllanthus emblica; cardiovascular disease; high-sensitivity C-reactive protein; platelet aggregation.

Figures

FIG. 1.

CAPROS® supplementation decreased calculated blood LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol/HDL in overweight/Class-1 obese human subjects. Healthy human subjects were orally supplemented for 12 weeks with CAPROS (500 mg/b.i.d) followed by 2 weeks of washout. Lipid profile was measured in fasting plasma. Calculated LDL cholesterol concentrations plotted individual (A) and mean (B). Total cholesterol/HDL plotted individual (C) and mean (D). Values are mean±SEM (n=9). *denotes P<.05 compared to baseline. HDL, high-density lipoprotein; LDL, low-density lipoprotein.

FIG. 2.

CAPROS supplementation decreases high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in overweight/Class-1 obese human subjects. hs-CRP concentrations were measured in fasting plasma at baseline, 12 weeks (supplementation), and 14 weeks (2 weeks of washout). hs-CRP levels plotted individual (A) and mean (B). Values are mean±SEM. *denotes P<.05 (n=15) compared to baseline.

FIG. 3.

Significant reduction in platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) after CAPROS supplementation. Platelet function was measured at baseline, 12 weeks (supplementation), and 14 weeks (2 weeks of washout). Representative platelet aggregation graphs at baseline (A) and after 12 weeks of supplementation (B). The extent of platelet aggregation in response to ADP plotted individual (C) and mean (D) in platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Values are mean±SEM. *denotes P<.05 (n=12) compared to baseline.

FIG. 4.

Significant reduction in platelet aggregation induced by collagen after CAPROS supplementation. Platelet function was measured at baseline, 12 weeks (supplementation), and 14 weeks (2 weeks of washout). Representative platelet aggregation graphs at baseline (A) and after 12 weeks of supplementation (B). The extent of platelet aggregation in response to collagen plotted individual (C) and mean (D) in PRP. Values are mean±SEM. *denotes P<.05 (n=12) compared to baseline.