Effects of Dendropanax morbifera Leveille extracts on cadmium and mercury secretion as well as oxidative capacity: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial, the effects of Dendropanax morbifera (D. morbifera) Leveille on heavy metal (cadmium and mercury) excretion as well as on lipid peroxidation and Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) activity were investigated. For this study, tablets containing placebo or 300 mg of the leaf extract from D. morbifera Leveille were used. A total of 60 eligible healthy subjects were enrolled in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. The differences in cadmium, mercury, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and SOD1 activity were measured in the serum 60 days after treatment with placebo or D. morbifera Leveille extracts. No significant differences between baseline characteristics and biochemical values were identified in subjects in the placebo and D. morbifera Leveille groups. Serum levels of cadmium, mercury and MDA decreased following consumption of D. morbifera Leveille extracts; however, no significant differences were identified. In addition, female, but not male, subjects who consumed D. morbifera Leveille extracts showed a significant increase in SOD1 activity. This result suggests that chronic consumption of D. morbifera Leveille extract can help to facilitate excretion of cadmium and mercury from serum and increase the antioxidant capacity in humans.