Clinical Trials of Two Helichrysum Infusions in Adults
Condition: Hypertension; Hyperlipidemias; Inflammation; Hyperglycemia; Hypercholesterolemia; Microbial Colonization; Overweight and Obesity
MeSH terms: Communicable Diseases; Infections; Overweight; Hypercholesterolemia; Hyperglycemia; Hyperlipidemias; Inflammation
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The study evaluates the effects of Helichrysum italicum and Helichrysum Arenarium on
      different components of the metabolic syndrome. The components of metabolic syndrome will be
      measured at baseline and four weeks after daily consumptions of either Helichrysum italicum
      or either Helichrysum Arenarium, and after two weeks of washout. In addition, stool samples
      will be also taken at baseline and after four weeks of daily consumtion of either Helichrysum
      italicum or either Helichrysum Arenarium.
    

Detailed description: 
      Helichrysum arenarium (HA) has a long tradition in European ethno-medicine as a medicinal
      plant with many known activities; EU monograph supports its use for the digestive disorders,
      feeling of fullness and bloating, and, importantly, it re-ports no side effects. Assessment
      report of the European Medicines Agency Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products supports its
      stimulatory role in the bile flow and in the release of cholesterol to the bile. HA has also
      been used in chronic liver inflammatory disease and as a scavenger of free radicals. Similar
      to HA Helichrysum italicum (HI) is widely used in traditional medicine. Lately, much
      attention has been given to natural antioxidants and their ability to delay the progression
      of chronic diseases related to the formation and the activity of reactive oxygen species and
      other free radicals. Herbs are very often used to prepare recreational tea and are thereby
      important sources of antioxidants in different cultures. In traditional medicine, HI is also
      used in diet, mainly for the preparation of infusions in treating respiratory and digestive
      conditions.

      Therefore,the ail of our study is to evaluate the effects of Helichrysum italicum and
      Helichrysum Arenarium on different components of the metabolic syndrome in adults presenting
      at least two components of metabolic syndrome and yet not receiving any medication. The
      components of metabolic syndrome (lipid profile, blood pressure, antrophometry, inflammation
      status, glucose levels) will be measured at baseline and four weeks after daily consumptions
      of either Helichrysum italicum or either Helichrysum Arenarium, and after two weeks of
      washout. In addition, stool samples will be also taken at baseline and after four weeks of
      daily consumtion of either Helichrysum italicum or either Helichrysum Arenarium.
    

Intervention name(s): Helichrysum italicum infusion; Helichrysum arenarium
Intervention type(s): Dietary Supplement; Dietary Supplement
Intervention description(s): Comparison of metabolic syndrome components before and after four weeks of daily consumption of Helichrysum italicum infusion.; Comparison of metabolic syndrome components before and after four weeks of daily consumption of Helichrysum arenarium infusion.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single (Participant)
Primary purpose: Prevention
Keywords: metabolic syndrome; herbal infusions; diet; microbiota