Crocus Sativus (Saffron) and Berberis Vulgaris (Barberry Fruit) in Metabolic Syndrome

• Serum LDL cholesterol [ Time Frame: after 45 days of treatment ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Serum LDL cholesterol after 45 days of treatment in three study groups
  
  

• Serum total cholesterol [ Time Frame: after 45 days of treatment ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Serum total cholesterol after 45 days of treatment in three study groups
  
  
• serum HDL cholesterol [ Time Frame: after 45 days of treatment ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  serum HDL cholesterol after 45 days of treatment in three study groups
  
  
• serum triglyceride [ Time Frame: after 45 days of treatment ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  serum triglyceride after 45 days of treatment in three study groups
  
  
• Fasting Blood Sugar [ Time Frame: after 45 days of treatment ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Fasting Blood Sugar after 45 days of treatment in three study groups
  
  
• Hematocrit [ Time Frame: after 45 days of treatment ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  Hematocrit measured after 45 days of treatment
  
  

In a randomized, placebo controlled, single-blind , efficacy trial with three treatment arms the investigators randomly assigned 105 patients with metabolic syndrome to receive barberry juice, saffron juice or placebo tablet.

The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of Crocus sativus (Saffron) and Berberis Vulgaris (barberry fruit) in treatment of metabolic syndrome. The metabolic syndrome (syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome) consists of a constellation of metabolic abnormalities that confer increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes mellitus (DM). The major features of the metabolic syndrome include central obesity hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL cholesterol, hyperglycemia, and hypertension. Based on data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III, the age-adjusted prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the United States is 34% for men and 35% for Women. Review of literature revealed anti-inflammatory, radical-scavenging, antioxidant, cytoprotective, beneficial cardiovascular and neural system effects for saffron, potential use for treatment of hypertension, tachycardia and some neuronal disorders, such as epilepsy and convulsion, antihypertensive and vasodilatory activities. Barberry has promising and selective anti-cancer activities, beneficial effects in atherosclerosis, arthritis, coronary heart disease and hepatitis, hypotensive property and to promote immunity, prevention of insulin resistance and related diseases, neuroprotective, hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties for saffron in animal models.