Efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) on metabolic syndrome components in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: randomized controlled trial
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...
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2025-08-01
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| author | Naiiere Gharagozloo Hesari Shahideh Jahanian Sadatmahalleh Parvin Mohebbi Malihe Nasiri Ahmad Khosravi |
| author_facet | Naiiere Gharagozloo Hesari Shahideh Jahanian Sadatmahalleh Parvin Mohebbi Malihe Nasiri Ahmad Khosravi |
| author_sort | Naiiere Gharagozloo Hesari |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. Trial registration IRCT20150905023897N4, Registration date: 09/11/2019 ( https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/trial/42316 ). |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9d8bed213d8f4149bbab9d1970f726da |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2072-1315 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-9d8bed213d8f4149bbab9d1970f726da2025-08-20T03:05:04ZengBMCJournal of Health, Population and Nutrition2072-13152025-08-0144111110.1186/s41043-025-01025-8Efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) on metabolic syndrome components in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: randomized controlled trialNaiiere Gharagozloo Hesari0Shahideh Jahanian Sadatmahalleh1Parvin Mohebbi2Malihe Nasiri3Ahmad Khosravi4Department of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares UniversityDepartment of Reproductive Health and Midwifery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares UniversityDepartment of Midwifery, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Epidemiology, Center for Health Related Social and Behavioral Sciences Research, Shahroud University of Medical SciencesAbstract 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. Trial registration IRCT20150905023897N4, Registration date: 09/11/2019 ( https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/trial/42316 ).https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-01025-8Polycystic ovary syndromeInsulin resistanceDyslipidemiaInflammationGonadal steroid hormonesQuality of life |
| spellingShingle | Naiiere Gharagozloo Hesari Shahideh Jahanian Sadatmahalleh Parvin Mohebbi Malihe Nasiri Ahmad Khosravi Efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) on metabolic syndrome components in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: randomized controlled trial Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition Polycystic ovary syndrome Insulin resistance Dyslipidemia Inflammation Gonadal steroid hormones Quality of life |
| title | Efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) on metabolic syndrome components in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: randomized controlled trial |
| title_full | Efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) on metabolic syndrome components in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: randomized controlled trial |
| title_fullStr | Efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) on metabolic syndrome components in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: randomized controlled trial |
| title_full_unstemmed | Efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) on metabolic syndrome components in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: randomized controlled trial |
| title_short | Efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) on metabolic syndrome components in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: randomized controlled trial |
| title_sort | efficacy of garlic allium sativum on metabolic syndrome components in women with polycystic ovary syndrome randomized controlled trial |
| topic | Polycystic ovary syndrome Insulin resistance Dyslipidemia Inflammation Gonadal steroid hormones Quality of life |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-01025-8 |
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