Atherosclerosis

  
Department of Pharmacognosy and Molecular Basis of Phythotherapy,
 Medical University of Warsaw, Ul. Banacha 1, Warszawa, Poland; 
Center for Atherosclerosis Research, Pomeranian Medical University Szczecin,
Naruszewicz M, Laniewska I, Millo B, Dluzniewski M.,  Poland, Feb,2007 

This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel trial. Forty-four patients (11 women and 33 men, mean age 66 years) who survived myocardial infraction and have received statin therapy for at least 6 months (80% dose of 40mg/day simvastatin) were included in the study. 
The subjects were randomised to receive either 3x 85mg/day of chokeberry flavonoid extract (Aronia melanocarpa E) or placebo for a period of 6 weeks. The study extract was a commercially-available product of the following declared composition: anthocyans (about 25%), polymeric procyanidines (about 50%) and phenolic acids (about 9%).
 Compared to placebo (ANOVA and Tukey's test), flavonoids significantly reduced serum 8-isoprostans and Ox-LDL levels (by 38 and 29%, respectively), as well as hsCRP and MCP-1 levels. In addition, significant increase in adiponectin levels and reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure by a mean average of 11 and 7.2mmHg, respectively were found.