Crocus Sativus (Saffron) and Berberis Vulgaris (Barberry Fruit) in Metabolic Syndrome
Crocus Sativus (Saffron) and Berberis Vulgaris (Barberry Fruit) in Metabolic Syndrome
The metabolic syndrome is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and
 diabetes mellitus. The age-adjusted prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the United States
 is 34% for men and 35% for women. Emerging alternative medicine worldwide led investigators
 to evaluate the efficacy of Crocus sativus (Saffron) and Berberis Vulgaris (barberry fruit)
 in treatment of metabolic syndrome. Serum total cholesterol, serum LDL cholesterol, serum HDL
 cholesterol, serum triglyceride, Fasting Blood Sugar and hematocrit measured before and after
 45 days of treatment.
In a randomized, placebo controlled, single-blind , efficacy trial with three treatment arms
 the investigators randomly assigned 105 patients with metabolic syndrome to receive barberry
 juice, saffron juice or placebo tablet.

 The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of Crocus sativus (Saffron) and Berberis Vulgaris
 (barberry fruit) in treatment of metabolic syndrome. The metabolic syndrome (syndrome X,
 insulin resistance syndrome) consists of a constellation of metabolic abnormalities that
 confer increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes mellitus (DM). The major
 features of the metabolic syndrome include central obesity hypertriglyceridemia, low HDL
 cholesterol, hyperglycemia, and hypertension. Based on data from the National Health and
 Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III, the age-adjusted prevalence of the metabolic
 syndrome in the United States is 34% for men and 35% for Women. Review of literature revealed
 anti-inflammatory, radical-scavenging, antioxidant, cytoprotective, beneficial cardiovascular
 and neural system effects for saffron, potential use for treatment of hypertension,
 tachycardia and some neuronal disorders, such as epilepsy and convulsion, antihypertensive
 and vasodilatory activities. Barberry has promising and selective anti-cancer activities,
 beneficial effects in atherosclerosis, arthritis, coronary heart disease and hepatitis,
 hypotensive property and to promote immunity, prevention of insulin resistance and related
 diseases, neuroprotective, hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties for saffron in animal
 models.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  waist circumference of ≥ 94 cm (males) or ≥ 80 cm (females) plus any two of the
 following:

 -  blood pressure ≥ 130/85 or taking antihypertensive medication,

 -  fasting plasma glucose (FPG) > 100 mg/dL,

 -  serum triglycerides (TG) > 150 mg/dL,

 -  high-density lipoprotein (HDL) < 40 mg/dL in men,and < 50 mg/dL in women-

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  using insulin or glucose sensitizing medication

 -  preexisting cardiovascular disease

 -  psychiatric problems

 -  non-compliance of patients

 -  not presenting at times determined for treatment and evaluation