Rhus Coriaria L. (Sumac) in Patients with Hyperlipidemia; A Double Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

BACKGROUND: Lipid lowering effect of sumac is investigated in multiple animal studies with promising results. However, its clinical efficacy is not investigated adequately. This study is aimed to evaluate the lipid lowering effect of sumac in patients with Hyperlipidemia in a double blind randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Eighty patients with Hyperlipidemia according to NCEP-ATP III criteria were randomly allocated to receive the Rhus Coriaria L. (1000 mg/day) or placebo for two months. The patients were evaluated in terms of the serum triglyceride, total LDL, and HDL cholesterol. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures along with serum biochemistry profile including fasting blood sugar, liver and kidney function tests and complete blood count were evaluated before the enrolment of patients and after the intervention. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed between the sumac and placebo groups in term of mean reductions in total and LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. A significant increase in mean serum HDL cholesterol level was observed in the sumac group (41.18±8.2 vs. 44.65±8.4, P=0.001) after 2 months of intervention. CONCLUSION: The study showed significant HDL cholesterol increasing effect of sumac supplementation in patients with Hyperlipidemia.