Effects of Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm) on cardio-metabolic outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Recent evidence indicates a beneficial effect of Melissa officinalis (MO) intake on several chronic diseases. However, the effects of MO intake have not yet been systematically reviewed. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effect of MO intake and focused on several cardiometabolic outcomes. MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, Web of Science and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for MO-RCTs evaluating cardiometabolic outcomes. Random-effects meta-analyses estimated the pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) between intervention and control groups. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing the risk of bias in RCTs. Seven RCTs were finally deemed eligible. MO intake was associated with a reduced total cholesterol (TC) (SMD: -0.26; 95% CI: -0.52, -0.01; I2 = 13.7%; k = 6) and a reduced systolic blood pressure (SBP) (SMD: -0.56; 95% CI: -0.85, -0.27; I2 = 00.0%; k = 3). MO intake was not associated with statistically significant changes in triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, diastolic blood pressure, high sensitivity c-reactive protein levels, fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, insulin or high-density lipoprotein levels. No serious adverse events were reported. The risk of bias was high in a considerable amount of studies. Our study suggests that MO is a safe supplement with beneficial effects on TC and SBP. However, the findings of our study must be seen in the light of major limitations such as a low number of included studies and a serious risk of bias. High-quality RCTs are needed for firm conclusions concerning the effects of MO on cardiometabolic outcomes.

Coenzyme Q10 supplementation and oxidative stress parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

PURPOSE: Oxidative stress (OS) is associated with several chronic complications and diseases. The use of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) as an adjuvant treatment with routine clinical therapy against metabolic diseases has shown to be beneficial. However, the impact of CoQ10 as a preventive agent against OS has not been systematically investigated. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed using the PubMed, SCOPUS, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases to identify randomized clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of CoQ10 supplementation on OS parameters. Standard mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for net changes in OS parameters using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Seventeen randomized clinical trials met the eligibility criteria to be included in the meta-analysis. Overall, CoQ10 supplementation was associated with a statistically significant decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) (SMD - 0.94; 95% CI - 1.46, - 0.41; I2 = 87.7%) and a significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (SMD 0.67; 95% CI 0.28, 1.07; I2 = 74.9%) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (SMD 0.40; 95% CI 1.12, 0.67; I2 = 9.6%). The meta-analysis found no statistically significant impact of CoQ10 supplementation on nitric oxide (NO) (SMD - 1.40; 95% CI - 0.12, 1.93; I2 = 92.6%), glutathione (GSH) levels (SMD 0.41; 95% CI - 0.09, 0.91; I2 = 70.0%), catalase (CAT) activity (SMD 0.36; 95% CI - 0.46, 1.18; I2 = 90.0%), or glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities (SMD - 1.40; 95% CI: - 0.12, 1.93; I2 = 92.6%). CONCLUSION: CoQ10 supplementation, in the tested range of doses, was shown to reduce MDA concentrations, and increase TAC and antioxidant defense system enzymes. However, there were no significant effects of CoQ10 on NO, GSH concentrations, or CAT activity.

Effect of Calcium and Vitamin D Co-supplementation on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: Vitamin D and calcium insufficiency has been related to elevated blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular complications. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigates the effect of calcium and vitamin D co-supplementation on BP. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted of electronic databases, including Web of Sciences, MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library, along with searches of gray literature and reference lists from included trials. There were no language restrictions, and the databases were searched from inception to October 2019. Randomized controlled trials, using calcium and vitamin D co-supplementation and reporting mean systolic BP and/or diastolic BP (DBP) with SDs, were included in the systematic review. Articles were evaluated independently by 2 researchers based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. A random effects model was conducted to synthesize the data. FINDINGS: Eight trials were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of these 8 trials indicated a nonsignificant reduction in systolic BP in the calcium and vitamin D co-supplementation group compared with control (standardized mean difference, -0.23; 95% CI, -0.52 to 0.06). Conversely, there was a statistically significant decrease in DBP (standardized mean difference, -0.29; 95% CI, -0.55 to -0.02). Subgroup analysis suggested that young adults achieve a greater reduction in DBP than other age groups. IMPLICATIONS: Calcium and vitamin D co-supplementation can modulate DBP and should be investigated more specifically in large, well-designed trials of hypertensive populations. (Clin Ther. 2020;42:XXX-XXX) © 2020 Elsevier HS Journals, Inc.