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- Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis, Lamiaceae)
- Lipid Profiles
- Hyperlipidemia
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Date:
01-13-2017 | HC# 071611-560
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Re: Supplementation with Lemon Balm Leaf Powder Improves Lipid Profiles in Patients with Borderline Hyperlipidemia
Jandaghi P,
Noroozi M, Ardalani H, Alipour M. Lemon balm: A promising herbal therapy for
patients with borderline hyperlipidemia—A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled
clinical trial. Complement Ther Med.
2016;26:136-140.
Hyperlipidemia
is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The current treatment options for
hyperlipidemia are not always effective and are often associated with adverse
side effects. Studies suggest that lemon balm (Melissa
officinalis, Lamiaceae) may be a safer and more
effective treatment alternative. The aim of this parallel, randomized,
double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial was to explore the effects of
lemon balm supplementation on the lipid profiles of patients with borderline
hyperlipidemia.
This study
was conducted at Ansari Hospital in Tehran, Iran, between January and July 2014.
Male and female patients (age range, 25-65 years) were included if they had at
least 1 of the following:
serum total cholesterol, 200-260 mg/dL; low-density lipoprotein (LDL), 100-160
mg/dL; and serum triglycerides, 150-300 mg/dL. Patients were excluded if they
were smokers, had any health conditions/complications, were intolerant to lemon
balm, or consumed any medications that would interfere with the outcome of the
study.
Patients
were randomly divided into 2 different groups and instructed to consume 2 capsules
containing 500 mg of lemon balm leaves (collected and prepared in Tehran, Iran;
MO group) or a placebo (500 mg of starch powder; P group) 3 times a day (after
consuming a meal) for 2 months. Both capsules were the same size, shape, and
color. The chemical profile of the lemon balm leaves was evaluated using gas
chromatography and mass spectrometry. Patients were instructed to visit Ansari Hospital
twice per month to be monitored and ensure compliance. They were told not to
change their diet and to avoid physical activity and other similar products
during the study.
Patients
were interviewed at the beginning of the study to obtain demographic data. At
the beginning and end of the intervention period, body measurements, a 24-hour dietary
recall questionnaire, a physical activity questionnaire, and a blood sample
(after fasting) were obtained from the patients. Lipid profiles and liver
enzymes were evaluated from the blood samples.
A
total of 64 patients participated in the study (32 in each group). A few
patients discontinued the study (2 in the P group and 3 in the MO group). The
only adverse effects reported were headaches (n=1) and dizziness (n=1) in the
MO group and dizziness (n=1) in the placebo group. There were no significant
differences between the 2 groups in terms of patient demographics and daily
dietary intake (except for saturated fatty acids, P<0.05).
At the
end of the study, total cholesterol was significantly reduced for both the MO
group (P=0.000) and the P group (P=0.03) compared to baseline, but these
effects were not significantly different between the 2 groups (P=0.27). At the
end of the study, there were no significant differences found between the
groups for high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides, fasting blood glucose,
body mass index, or physical activity. By the end of the study, LDL was
significantly decreased in the MO group (P=0.002) and significantly increased
in the P group (P=0.8); the difference between the 2 groups was significant
(P=0.02). The LDL:HDL ratio significantly increased only for the P group
(P=0.003). There were no significant effects on liver enzymes, with the
exception of aspartate transaminase (AST), which was significantly increased in
the P group (P=0.003) but not in the MO group (a significant difference was
found between the groups, P=0.009).
The
results of this 2-month study indicate that consumption of lemon balm leaf
powder significantly lowered LDL and the liver enzyme AST compared to a placebo
treatment. Such outcomes suggest that lemon balm supplementation is both safe
and effective for patients with mild hyperlipidemia. Although the lipid profiles
did not improve to the extent that they did in a study that used lemon balm
essential oils, the authors suggest that this is a safer form of supplementation.1
The authors also suggest that larger and longer trials with mechanistic
investigations are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of this
supplement.
—Laura M. Bystrom, PhD
Reference
1Chung
MJ, Cho SY, Bhuiyan MJ, Kim KH, Lee SJ. Anti-diabetic effects of lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) essential oil on
glucose- and lipid-regulating enzymes in type 2 diabetic mice. Br J Nutr. 2010;104(2):180-188.
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