Chios mastiha essential oil exhibits antihypertensive, hypolipidemic and anti-obesity effects in metabolically unhealthy adults - a randomized controlled trial

Aristea Gioxari; Charalampia Amerikanou; Evdokia Valsamidou; Stamatia-Angeliki Kleftaki; Chara Tzavara; Aikaterini Kalaitzopoulou; Ioannis Stergiou; Ilias Smyrnioudis; Adriana C Kaliora

doi:10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106821

Chios mastiha essential oil exhibits antihypertensive, hypolipidemic and anti-obesity effects in metabolically unhealthy adults - a randomized controlled trial

Pharmacol Res. 2023 Aug:194:106821. doi: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106821. Epub 2023 Jun 15.

Authors

Aristea Gioxari¹, Charalampia Amerikanou², Evdokia Valsamidou², Stamatia-Angeliki Kleftaki², Chara Tzavara², Aikaterini Kalaitzopoulou³, Ioannis Stergiou³, Ilias Smyrnioudis⁴, Adriana C Kaliora⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Nutritional Science and Dietetics, School of Health Science, University of the Peloponnese, Antikalamos, 24100 Kalamata, Messinia, Greece.
² Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, 70 El. Venizelou Ave, 17676 Athens, Greece.
³ Diabetes Outpatient Department, General Hospital G. Gennimatas, Thessaloniki, Greece.
⁴ Mastiha Research Center, Seleperos Kallimasia, 82131 Chios, Greece.
⁵ Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, 70 El. Venizelou Ave, 17676 Athens, Greece. Electronic address: akaliora@hua.gr.

PMID: 37329633
DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2023.106821

Abstract

The essential oil of the resinous exudate from Pistacia lentiscus of Chios namely Chios Mastiha Essential Oil (CMEO), is a natural volatile oil rich in monoterpenes α-pinene, β-myrcene, β-pinene. In the present randomized controlled trial, we investigated the effects of CMEO on individuals with abdominal obesity and metabolic abnormalities i.e., dyslipidemia, hypertension, insulin resistance. Eligible patients (N = 94) were randomly assigned to either the intervention group, receiving capsules containing 200 mg of CMEO daily for 3 months adjunct to current treatment for metabolic disorder(s), or the control group. Anthropometric measurements, blood markers, and quality of life (QoL) were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed on an intention-to-treat basis. A significant improvement in blood lipid profile, namely triglycerides (p = 0.026) and low-density lipoprotein (p = 0.05) of the CMEO group versus controls was observed. Systolic blood pressure (p = 0.05) and alanine aminotransferase (p = 0.022) significantly decreased only after CMEO intake. Alike, weight decreased only in CMEO (p = 0.02), while mean changes in % body fat (p = 0.005) and visceral fat (p = 0.045) were significantly different between groups post-intervention. Lower oxidized LDL (p = 0.044) and higher adiponectin (p = 0.007) were recorded in CMEO with significant different mean changes between groups post-intervention. QoL, as assessed by Short Form-12 questionnaire was improved in the CMEO compared to control (p = 0.041 for Physical Composite Score, p = 0.035 for Mental Composite Score). No adverse effects were reported. An anti-obesity effect of CMEO, probably attributed to modulation of inflammatory and antioxidant processes, is suggested. Conclusively, CMEO can be safe and effective in regulating metabolic abnormalities, adjunct to treatment. (ClinicalTrials.gov. The effect of Mastiha oil in Metabolic Syndrome, ID Number: NCT04785573).

Keywords: Blood lipids; Blood pressure; Chios Mastiha Essential Oil; Inflammation/oxidative stress; Monoterpenes; Obesity.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

Adult
Antihypertensive Agents*
Humans
Mastic Resin
Obesity / drug therapy
Oils, Volatile* / therapeutic use
Quality of Life

Substances

mastiha
Antihypertensive Agents
Oils, Volatile
Mastic Resin

Associated data

ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT04785573