The cholesterol-lowering effect of unripe Rubus coreanus is associated with decreased oxidized LDL and apolipoprotein B levels in subjects with borderline-high cholesterol levels: a randomized controlled trial

Background Rubus coreanus(R. coreanus) possesses properties that may decrease cholesterol levels. Methods The effects of unripeR. coreanus(uRC) consumption on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol levels related to decreased circulating apolipoprotein (Apo) B and oxidized LDL levels were evaluated. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included subjects with borderline-high cholesterol levels (between 200 and 239 mg/dL) who consumed one capsule daily containing 600 mg of freeze-dried uRC extract (n = 39) or the placebo (n = 38). Results After 12 weeks, the uRC group showed reductions of 21.23 +/- 4.36 mg/dL in total cholesterol levels (P = 0.007) and 15.61 +/- 4.16 mg/dL in LDL cholesterol levels (P = 0.032). In addition, significantly greater reductions in Apo B levels were observed in the uRC group (- 3.48 +/- 3.40 mg/dL), but Apo B levels were increased in the placebo group (6.21 +/- 2.84 mg/dL;P = 0.032). Furthermore, a remarkably lower oxidized LDL level was detected in the uRC group (57.76 +/- 2.07 U/L) than in the placebo group (66.09 +/- 3.47 U/L) after 12 weeks of consumption (P = 0.044). Conclusions Because of its cholesterol-lowering effect, uRC shows great promise as a therapeutic agent for subjects with borderline-high total blood cholesterol levels.