What is the influence of policosanol supplementation on liver enzymes? A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVE: Policosanol is a mixture of long chain alcohols refined from sugar cane. Significant reductions in liver enzymes have been observed in some studies. However, the impact of policosanol on liver enzymes remained controversial. The current meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effect of policosanol supplementation on the levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST). METHODS: The literature was systematically searched for studies published up to November 2023 in PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, EMBASE, and Scopus. Randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies were included to evaluate the intervention effect of policosanol compared to placebo on ALT and AST. DerSimonian and Laird models were used to calculate effect sizes. RESULTS: Twenty-three trials including 2535 participants were included in the study. The combination of effect sizes, regarding the random-effects model, demonstrated significant changes in ALT serum levels after intervention (WMD: -1.48 U/L; 95% CI: -2.33 to -0.64; P = 0.001), and AST (WMD: -1.10 U/L; 95% CI: -1.70 to -0.51; P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis of AST and ALT showed that this reduction effect was most often observed at the dose of 20 mg/d. The dose-response analysis represented a non-significant non-linear connection between the dosage and duration of policosanol intervention in ALT and AST serum reduction. CONCLUSION: Policosanol supplementation exerts a beneficial effect on liver enzymes as well as ALT and AST concentrations in adults. However, further long-term and well-designed RCTs with better quality are needed to further assess and confirm these results.

The effect of Cornus mas fruit extract on vasomotor symptoms and sex hormones in postmenopausal women: a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: Cornus mas fruit has various antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, so this study aims at assessing its effect on menopausal symptoms and sex hormones in postmenopausal women. METHODS: In the current randomized, double-blind clinical trial, 84 individuals (42 per group) were participated. C mas hydroalcoholic extract was prepared, and participants received 300 mg C mas extract or placebo three times a day (900 g in total) for 8 weeks. The demographic, dietary intake, and physical activity information were gathered. Anthropometric indices were measured by standard methods. Furthermore, menopause symptoms were assessed by Greene Climacteric Scale. Also, sex hormones were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: Based on the results, there was a significant difference in total Greene score reduction between the intervention and placebo groups (-3.19 ± 0.54, -0.76 ± 0.32, and P < 0.001). In addition, vasomotor symptoms had a remarkable decrease in the C mas extract group (P < 0.001). Also, the intervention group demonstrated a decreasing trend in the number and duration of hot flushes. Moreover, follicle-stimulating hormone remarkably decreased and estradiol increased in the intervention group (P = 0.016 and P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS: It has been found that the extract of C mas fruit has a favorable effect on vasomotor symptoms, sex hormones, and related complications in women experiencing menopausal symptoms.

The effect of Cornus mas extract consumption on bone biomarkers and inflammation in postmenopausal women: A randomized clinical trial.

The drastic decrease in estrogen levels in menopausal women can elevate bone resorption and osteoporosis. Cornus mas extract (C. mas extract) is a potential candidate for treating menopausal-related bone complications because of its phytoestrogen and anti-inflammatory contents. It was an interventional double-blind placebo-controlled randomized study. Eighty-four women aged 45-60 years old were randomly allocated to either the extract group receiving 3 capsules of 300 mg C. mas extract or the placebo group receiving 3 capsules of 300 mg of starch powder per day for 8 weeks. Then, venous blood was used to measure bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BAP), osteocalcin (OC), C-terminal telopeptide (TC) as well as serum levels of PTH and hsCRP. Our results indicated the decrease in alkaline phosphatase, PTH, and as an inflammation biomarker, hsCRP, between two groups at the end of the study. No statistically significant difference was observed in telopeptide C, osteocalcin, and calcium between the placebo and extract groups after 8 weeks of intervention. In conclusion, the results indicate that the C. mas extract supplement of 900 mg/day may decrease levels of BAP, PTH, and hsCRP. However, this intervention had no beneficial effect on OC and TC in healthy postmenopausal women.