Efficacy of Oral Administration of Allium sativum Powder “Garlic Extract” on Lipid Profile, Inflammation, and Cardiovascular Indices among Hemodialysis Patients

BACKGROUND: Inflammation plays a prominent role in the deteriorating cardiovascular risk of hemodialysis patients. Utilization of herbal remedies, especially garlic extract, in these patients has resulted in promising improvement in lipid profile, inflammation, and cardiovascular markers. PURPOSE: In this survey, we aimed to determine the effects of oral administration of Allium sativum powder on lipid profile, inflammation, and cardiovascular markers among hemodialysis patients. METHODS: In this interventional double-blinded randomized crossover study, 70 patients were enrolled and assigned in two groups. Each group received 300 mg of garlic powder BID or placebo for eight weeks; after a six-week wash-out period, the agents were switched between two groups so that the group who received garlic powder in the first eight weeks received placebo for the second eight weeks, and vice versa. Venous blood samples were obtained in baseline, wash-out period, and at the end of study. Following obtaining laboratory data, BUN, creatinine, Na, K, Ca, Ph, homocysteine, and lipid profile were compared. RESULTS: No significant differences were shown at baselines of outcomes between the garlic and placebo group (p value>0.05). However, there was a significant decrease in absolute values of OXLDL (mean placebo = 979.63, mean garlic = 676.54; p value<0.001) and HCY (mean placebo = 36.54, mean garlic = 27.78; p value<0.001). In addition, significant treatment differences were seen in change values of Ca (placebo = 1.17, garlic = 0.21; p value = 0.006), TG (placebo = −6.71, garlic = -24.14; p value = 0.014), OXLDL (placebo = −281.30, garlic = -699.78; p value<0.001), and HCY (placebo = −0.24, garlic = −6.68; p value<0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, Allium sativum powder demonstrated efficacy in lipid profile improvement and renal protective effects among hemodialysis patients.