Supplementation with Cynanchum wilfordii radix extract for 8 weeks lowers serum total cholesterol: A controlled, randomized, double-blind clinical trial

This trial aimed to determine the effect of a standardized Cynanchum wilfordii Radix extract (CWE) on the lipid profiles of individuals with elevated total cholesterol (T-Chol) using a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled design. Ninety-six Korean individuals with elevated T-Chol level (200-240 mg/dL) were recruited and randomly allocated to groups that received VasH300 (300 mg CWE/day, n = 32), VasH600 (600 mg CWE/day, n = 32), or a placebo (n = 32) groups. Primary outcomes included T-Chol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, triglyceride, and safety (adverse events, biochemical parameters, and hematological parameters). Data were compared using a one-way analysis of variance followed by Duncan's post-hoc tests (among groups) and paired t tests (within groups). Values for T-Chol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly reduced in the VasH300 and groups (VasH300: 4.0 and 6.4%, respectively; VasH600; 3.8 and 5.8% respectively; both p < .05) compared with the placebo group and were not dose-dependent. VasH300 significantly improved the lipid profiles of individuals with elevated T-Chol without any serious side effects. Daily supplementation with VasH might be an alternative strategy with which to modify cholesterol-related parameters, especially in individuals with elevated T-Chol levels.