{"title":"Efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) on metabolic syndrome components in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Naiiere Gharagozloo Hesari, Shahideh Jahanian Sadatmahalleh, Parvin Mohebbi, Malihe Nasiri, Ahmad Khosravi","doi":"10.1186/s41043-025-01025-8","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>This study aimed to illustrate the effect of garlic supplementation on metabolic syndrome (MetS) components in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>From 2020 to 2021, a randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 97 women with PCOS and MetS. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either garlic tablets (500 mg containing 2-3 mg allicin; n = 49) or placebo tablets (n = 48) twice daily for 8 weeks. The study assessed changes in MetS indices, quality of life (QoL), and sexual function before and after the intervention.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>After 8 weeks, the garlic group showed significant reductions in fasting blood sugar (FBS) by 10.5% (from 107.2 to 95.9 mg/dL; P < 0.001), triglycerides (TG) by 17.8% (P = 0.002), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by 14.2% (P < 0.001), total cholesterol (TC) by 12.6% (P < 0.001), and C-reactive protein (CRP) by 24.7% (P < 0.001), compared to the placebo group. A significant increase in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels was also observed (18.3%; P = 0.005). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly by 5.2% and 6.1%, respectively (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001), and both weight and body mass index (BMI) were significantly reduced (P < 0.01). However, the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) did not change significantly (P = 0.86). Notable improvements were also observed in all six domains of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)- desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain (P < 0.05 for all). Moreover, significant enhancements were recorded in all domains of the Modified Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (MPCOSQ), including hirsutism, acne, weight, infertility, menstrual, and emotional disturbances (P < 0.001 for all). The study's limitations include a relatively short follow-up period, lack of strict dietary control, and the omission of some relevant hormonal assays (e.g., androstenedione, DHEA, and DHEAS) due to budgetary constraints.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The results suggest that garlic supplementation may be an effective strategy for managing MetS markers in women with PCOS.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>IRCT20150905023897N4, Registration date: 09/11/2019 ( https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/trial/42316 ).</p>","PeriodicalId":15969,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition","volume":"44 1","pages":"282"},"PeriodicalIF":2.8000,"publicationDate":"2025-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12330188/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-01025-8","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to illustrate the effect of garlic supplementation on metabolic syndrome (MetS) components in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Methods: From 2020 to 2021, a randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 97 women with PCOS and MetS. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either garlic tablets (500 mg containing 2-3 mg allicin; n = 49) or placebo tablets (n = 48) twice daily for 8 weeks. The study assessed changes in MetS indices, quality of life (QoL), and sexual function before and after the intervention.
Results: After 8 weeks, the garlic group showed significant reductions in fasting blood sugar (FBS) by 10.5% (from 107.2 to 95.9 mg/dL; P < 0.001), triglycerides (TG) by 17.8% (P = 0.002), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) by 14.2% (P < 0.001), total cholesterol (TC) by 12.6% (P < 0.001), and C-reactive protein (CRP) by 24.7% (P < 0.001), compared to the placebo group. A significant increase in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) levels was also observed (18.3%; P = 0.005). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased significantly by 5.2% and 6.1%, respectively (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001), and both weight and body mass index (BMI) were significantly reduced (P < 0.01). However, the waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) did not change significantly (P = 0.86). Notable improvements were also observed in all six domains of the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)- desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain (P < 0.05 for all). Moreover, significant enhancements were recorded in all domains of the Modified Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (MPCOSQ), including hirsutism, acne, weight, infertility, menstrual, and emotional disturbances (P < 0.001 for all). The study's limitations include a relatively short follow-up period, lack of strict dietary control, and the omission of some relevant hormonal assays (e.g., androstenedione, DHEA, and DHEAS) due to budgetary constraints.
Conclusions: The results suggest that garlic supplementation may be an effective strategy for managing MetS markers in women with PCOS.
期刊介绍:
Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition brings together research on all aspects of issues related to population, nutrition and health. The journal publishes articles across a broad range of topics including global health, maternal and child health, nutrition, common illnesses and determinants of population health.