Effects of green cardamom supplementation on serum levels of Hs-CRP, dimethylarginine, nitric oxide and blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, clinical trial

Abstract

PurposeCardamom contains phytochemicals with a potential role in lowering blood pressure (BP) and improving the inflammatory status in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, only a few studies have been carried out to evaluate the effect of cardamom in these patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of green cardamom supplementation on serum high-sensitivity C–reactive protein (hs-CRP), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), nitric oxide (NO), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in patients with T2DM. Materials and MethodsIn this double blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial, 83 patients with T2DM were divided randomly into two groups, including the green cardamom group (3 g/d, n = 41) and placebo group (3 g/d, n = 42). All patients received the supplements for 10 weeks. Serum levels of hs-CRP, ADMA, NO, SBP and DBP were measured at baseline and week 10. ResultsThe intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis showed a decrease in mean serum hs-CRP levels [from 5.22 (3.56) to 4.81 ng/ml (3.72); p < 0.05] along with a significant increase in mean serum NO levels [from 65.6 (22.6) to 84 Mµ (26.3)], (p < 0.001). There was a significant decrease in mean SBP in the cardamom group [from 125.2 (12.4) to 119.4 mm/hg (11.8)] compared to the placebo group [128.1 (15.6) to 126.7 mmHg (13.5)] (p < 0.001). Furthermore, ITT analysis showed a decrease in mean SBP [from 125.6 (12.2) to 120 mmHg (11.59)] (p < 0.001). Changes in serum ADMA and DBP levels were not statistically significant between the two groups. In addition, in Per-Protocol (PP) analysis, a significant decrease was found in mean serum hs-CRP levels in the cardamom group [from 5.25 (3.66) to 4.87 ng/ml (3.8)] compared to the placebo group [4.4 (3) to 5.7 ng/ml (4.2)]; (p < 0.05), along with a significant increase in mean serum NO levels in the cardamom group [from 62.9 (18) to 82.5 Mµ (24.6)] compared to the placebo group [70.7 (28) to 72.1 Mµ (25.8)]; (p < 0.001). ConclusionGreen cardamom may have beneficial effects on SBP, NO and hs-CRP levels in patients with T2DM. Improvement in BP and inflammatory markers can help prevent the complications from T2DM including cardiovascular risk in these patients.