Hypolipidemic effect of Lactuca sativa seed extract, an adjunctive treatment, in patients with hyperlipidemia: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot trial

Purpose: : Lettuce has demonstrated antidiabetic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In the present work the hypolipidemic effect of administration of aqueous-ethanolic extract of lettuce (Lactuca sativa) seed was investigated. Hyperlipidemic patients meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned into the treatment and placebo groups. Methods: : All patients received atorvastatin (20 mg/day) as the main drug. The patients in treatment group took lettuce seed capsule (1000 mg, once per day); whereas the patients in placebo group took placebo capsule (once per day) for 12 weeks. The lipid profile, blood pressure, body mass index and liver enzymes of the patients were evaluated at baseline, and after 6 and 12 weeks of the clinical trial. Result and conclusion: : The results indicated that lettuce seed extract significantly (P < 0.05) improved triglyceride, cholesterol, Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) and High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) compared to the placebo group. It had no effect on systolic or diastolic blood pressure and the effect on BMI reduction was not significant (P > 0.05) compared to placebo. The lettuce seed extract showed an inhibitory effect on atorvastatin-induced elevation of hepatic enzymes and possible liver toxicity. No serious side effect was reported for lettuce seed extract administration. Therefore, lettuce seed extract could be considered as a supplement for treatment of dyslipidemia.