rebaudioside-a and Cardiovascular-Diseases

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a native plant to Paraguay. The extracts have been used as a famous sweetening agent, and the bioactive components derived from stevia possess a broad spectrum of therapeutical potential for various illnesses. Among its medicinal benefits are anti-hypertensive, anti-tumorigenic, anti-diabetic, and anti-hyperlipidemia. Statins (3-hydro-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor) are a class of drugs used to treat atherosclerosis. Statins are explicitly targeting the HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme in the rate-limiting step of cholesterol biosynthesis. Despite being widely used in regulating plasma cholesterol levels, the adverse effects of the drug are a significant concern among clinicians and patients. Hence, steviol glycosides derived from stevia have been proposed as an alternative in replacing statins. Diterpene glycosides from stevia, such as stevioside and rebaudioside A have been evaluated for their efficacy in alleviating cholesterol levels. These glycosides are a potential candidate in treating and preventing atherosclerosis provoked by circulating lipid retention in the sub-endothelial lining of the artery. The present review is an effort to integrate the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, involvement of lipid droplets biogenesis and its associated proteins in atherogenesis, current approaches to treat atherosclerosis, and pharmacological potential of stevia in treating the disease.

Topics: Animals; Atherosclerosis; Biomarkers; Cardiovascular Agents; Cardiovascular Diseases; Dyslipidemias; Heart Disease Risk Factors; Humans; Hypolipidemic Agents; Lipid Droplets; Lipids; Plant Extracts; Risk Assessment; Stevia; Treatment Outcome

Many different dietary supplements are currently marketed for the management of hypertension and diabetes, but the evidence for effectiveness is mixed. The objective of this systematic review was to critically appraise and evaluate the evidence for effectiveness of steviol glycosides (stevioside and rebaudioside A) on cardiovascular risk factors, using data from randomised clinical trials (RCTs).. Electronic searches were conducted in Medline, Embase, Amed, Cinahl and The Cochrane Library. We also searched Google Scholar, and hand searched the bibliography of retrieved full texts. The reporting quality of included studies was assessed using the Cochrane criteria. Two reviewers independently determined the eligibility, assessed the reporting quality, and extracted the data.. Nine studies with a total of 756 participants were included. There was a variation in the reporting quality of included studies. Meta-analysis revealed a non-significant difference in systolic blood pressure between steviol glycoside and placebo, mean difference (MD): -2.98 mm Hg (-6.23 to 0.27). Significant reductions in diastolic blood pressure and fasting blood glucose were observed. There was no significant effect on blood lipid profile. Heterogeneity was significant. Adverse events included abdominal fullness, epigastric pain, and dizziness.. The evidence from published RCTs suggests that stevioside may generate reductions in blood pressure and fasting blood glucose. The sizes of the effects are small, and the substantial heterogeneity limits the robustness of any conclusions. Rebaudioside A does not appear to have any significant effects on blood pressure or cardiovascular risk factors. Available clinical trials vary in design and reporting quality, and some are characterised by inadequate sample sizes. In addition, the participants in most of the trials have high cardiovascular risk. Further clinical trials and regulatory assessments are warranted.

Topics: Blood Glucose; Blood Pressure; Cardiovascular Diseases; Chi-Square Distribution; Diabetes Mellitus; Dietary Supplements; Diterpenes, Kaurane; Glucosides; Humans; Hypertension; Protective Factors; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Sweetening Agents

Added sugars contribute to caloric intake in the diet, which may lead to conditions like obesity. Replacing added sugar with a natural sugar substitute like zero-calorie stevia may help in reducing sugar and caloric intake.. An open-label, single-arm pilot study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a stevia-based tabletop sweetener among overweight subjects with normal blood sugar levels (. When compared with the baseline, a significant reduction in weight (. Replacing added sugar in the daily diet with stevia-based tabletop sweetener, along with a physical activity regimen, promotes weight loss and reduction in waist circumference in overweight subjects with normal blood sugar levels and prediabetic subjects (CTRI/2019/12/022470).

Topics: Adult; Blood Glucose; Body Mass Index; Cardiometabolic Risk Factors; Cardiovascular Diseases; Exercise; Glycated Hemoglobin; Humans; Non-Nutritive Sweeteners; Overweight; Pilot Projects; Prediabetic State; Stevia; Waist Circumference; Weight Loss