Mangiferin is found in mangoes as well as several other plants including including Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Mangifera indica, and Mangifera persiciformis.
Recent pre-clinical research has found that mangiferin has many biological activities including anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant and anti-diabetic properties. On PubMed, a database for research articles, more than 600 research articles have been published in scientific journals.
Based on this background of research a clinical trial was designed to determine if mangiferin can modify blood lipid profiles in overweight patients with hyperlipidemia (i.e. high fats or lipids in the blood).
The results of this clinical trial were published in the journal Scientific Reports.
Here are the study details of the clinical trial
Study Design: Double blind randomized placebo controlled clinical trial
Patients: A total of 97 patients completed the clinical trial. Patients were instructed not to change their diet during the study. Average BMI of the patients in the study was 27.
Dose: Mangiferin 150 milligrams per day was taken daily
Results of the clinical trial with mangiferin
– No changes in liver enzyme function or kidney function after 12 weeks of mangiferin given daily.
– Total Cholesterol changed from 256 to 244
– HDL increased from 49 to 52
– LDL decreased from 117 to 110
– TG decreased from 182 to 152
– L-carnitine (μmol/L) increased from 23 to 28
Here are clinical trials of berberine from golden seal and bergamot polyphenols from the citrus fruit for lowering total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.
The authors had this to say
In our study, the serum L-carnitine level was significantly increased after mangiferin supplementation for 12 weeks, which indicated that mangiferin increased FFA oxidation by promoting the movement of FFA into mitochondria for oxidation by the carnitine carrier.
And
Therefore, we concluded that the increased β-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate levels induced by mangiferin may have originated from the increase in FFA oxidation in the mitochondria.
And
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial revealed that mangiferin supplementation for 12 weeks significantly decreased the serum TG, FFA, and HOMA-IR levels and increased the serum mangiferin, HDL, and LPL levels in overweight patients with hyperlipidemia. In addition, levels of L-carnitine, β-hydroxybutyrate, and acetoacetate, which are used to diagnose fatty acid metabolism, were also increased by mangiferin.
And
These results suggested that mangiferin supplementation could improve serum lipid profiles through the lowering of serum TG and FFA levels by promoting FFA oxidation.
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Take away message
Based on the preclinical research the human equivalent dose was calculated to be 300 mg per day. This means that to observe similar results a clinical trial would need to have a mangiferin dose of 300 milligrams (mg) per day to achieve similar results in people. Interestingly, the scientists and clinicians in this study selected dose ½ of 300 mg to ensure safety.
Mangiferin during this 12 week study was found to be safe. Mangiferin did not change liver function or kidney function in a negative way. This is important because certain anti-diabetes drugs known as thiazolidines (pioglitazone, rosiglitazone, troglitazone) and metformin have been reported to cause liver toxicity.
The results of this study found that mangiferin given daily for 12 weeks was able to lower triglycerides, raise HDL, and increase break down of fatty acids. Mangiferin was not able to lower LDL or Total cholesterol as effective as other natural plant products like berberine or bergamot.
Reference
Mangiferin supplementation improves serum lipid profiles in overweight patients with hyperlipidemia: a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Sci Rep. 2015, 5: 10344.
His research on plant medicine has led to more than 45 publications and abstracts.This research has been presented at international meetings in the USA, France, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Austria, and Italy.
Categories: Blood sugar, Cholesterol, Clinical Trials, Diabetes