Effects of Origanum onites on endothelial function and serum biochemical markers in hyperlipidaemic patients

Ozdemir B, Ekbul A, Topal NB, Sarandöl E, Sağ S, Başer KH, et al.

Published in J Int Med Res, Vol. 36 (6), pp. 1326-34

Methodology

Controlled clinical trial in 48 adults with mild hyperlipidaemia not needing drugs. All received lifestyle and low-fat diet advice; 32 also took 25 ml aqueous distillate of Origanum onites after each meal for 3 months, 16 served as controls. The abstract does not say how patients were allocated or whether anyone was blinded.

Key Findings

Compared with controls, the oregano group had a significantly greater rise in HDL cholesterol and greater falls in LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein(a) and hs-CRP, plus larger gains in paraoxonase activity and flow-mediated dilatation of the brachial artery.

Conclusions

The authors concluded that Origanum onites distillate improved lipid profile, antioxidant status and endothelial function in mild hyperlipidaemia.

Limitations

Allocation and blinding not described; unequal groups; no placebo drink; a water distillate of Turkish oregano, not oregano essential oil; effect sizes not given in the abstract.