The efficacy of sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) powder supplementation in biochemical and anthropometric measurements in overweight or obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A double-blind randomized controlled trial.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the effect of sumac supplement in biochemical and anthropometric measurements in overweight or obese patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Materials and methods: In this double-blind randomized controlled trial, 45 NAFLD patients were randomly divided into two groups. The intervention group received sumac capsules (3 g/day) with a balanced diet for 8 weeks, while the placebo group received placebo with a balanced diet. Anthropometric indices, lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, insulin, Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance, aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, high sensitivity C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde were measured at baseline and at the end of the study.

Results: The results revealed a significant decrease in anthropometric indices (weight (p=0.001), body mass index (p=0.001), waist circumference (p=0.001), body fat mass (p=0.001), body fat percentage (p=0.001), visceral fat score (p=0.001), biochemical levels of total cholesterol (p=0.007), fasting blood sugar (p=0.006), insulin (p=0.004) and HOMA-IR (p=0.002)) after the intervention compared to the baseline. However, no significant difference was observed between the two groups concerning anthropometric and biochemical indices.

Conclusion: In this study, no significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding anthropometric and biochemical indices. Thus, further studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to be conducted on the issue.