Table 1.
Inflammatory parameters measured in metabolic syndrome.
| Method1 | Botanical or botanical derivatives used | No. of participants and length of treatment | Parameters measured | Results | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double-blind randomized controlled cross-over trial | Olive oil (Olea europaea L.) | 20 (6-week washout period plus 4-h study session) | Expression of inflammatory genes (CCL3, CXCL1, CXCL3, CXCR4, IL-1β, IL-6, and OSM | Expression of inflammatory genes was reduced | Camargo et al., 2010 [15] |
| Randomized double-blind controlled trials | ProAlgaZyme (freshwater algae infusion) |
60 (10 weeks) | hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α | Significant reduction of all parameters | Oben et al., 2007 [16] |
| Single-blind randomized controlled trial | Plant sterol margarines (30 g/day) | 53 (5 weeks) | CRP, IL-6, CD 40 ligand (CD40L), and E-selectin | No changes | Gagliardi et al., 2010 [17] |
| Randomized open controlled cross-over trials | Soy nut/soy proteins | 482 (8 weeks) | Serum endothelin-1, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, E-selectin, IL-2, IL-6, IL-18, TNF-α, SAA, and CRP | Reduction of CRP for soy protein, E-selectin, TNF-α, IL-18, and CRP for soy nuts | Azadbakht et al., 2007 [18] |
| Randomized open controlled clinical trials | Berries and derivatives* | 61 (20 weeks) | TNF-α, ICAM, VCAM, E-selectin, and hs-CRP | No significant differences | Lehtonen et al., 2010 [19] |
| Open nonrandomized noncontrolled clinical trials | Freeze-dried strawberry extract | 35 (4 weeks) | Malondialdehyde (MDA), hs-CRP, and adiponectin | No significant differences | Basu et al., 2009 [20] |
| Cross-sectional studies | Fruit food group** Vegetable fruit group*** |
486 (1 year) | CRP | Reduction of CRP for both groups | Esmaillzadeh et al., 2006 [21] |
*Participants consumed lingonberry, bilberry, black currant, sea buckthorn as such or as derivatives (juice, oil, and powder).
**Pears, apricots, cherries, apples, raisins or grapes, bananas, cantaloupe, watermelon, oranges, grapefruit, kiwi, strawberries, peaches, nectarines, tangerines, mulberry, plums, persimmons, pomegranates, lemons, pineapples, fresh figs, and date.
***Vegetable fruit group: cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, carrots, tomatoes, spinach, lettuce, cucumber, mixed vegetables, eggplant, celery, green peas, green beans, green pepper, turnip, corn, squash, mushrooms, and onions.
1Clinical studies used to assess inflammatory parameters are listed from the best to the worst method applied.