Guggul: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Scientific name(s)
Commiphora mukul, Commiphora wightii
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Guggulsterone
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Hypercholesterolemia ✪✪✪✪✪
Several randomized clinical trials have examined the effects of guggulipid on elevated blood lipid, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, with conflicting results. Overall, effects appear to be more likely in Indian populations than among people consuming a Western diet; however, the reason for this divergence is unknown. One clinical study showed that the lipid-lowering effects of an A-fraction guggul preparation (1.5 g/day) were similar to those of clofibrate (2 g/day). A larger double-blind, randomized study of 235 volunteers showed that patients with hypercholesterolemia responded better to guggulipid (1.5 g/day) than to clofibrate (1.5 g/day). However, patients with hypertriglyceridemia responded better to clofibrate. A placebo-controlled randomized controlled trial conducted in Norway in 2009 (n = 43), using 2160 mg of guggul per day for 12 weeks, produced a significant reduction in total cholesterol and HDL-C, with no significant changes in LDL-C, triglycerides, or total cholesterol/HDL-C ratios compared with placebo. The authors concluded that the clinical significance of a 3–6% reduction in total cholesterol or HDL-C was questionable, particularly since the ratio between the two remained unchanged. A review of nonpharmacological treatments for cardiovascular disease suggested that guggulipid (C. mukul) warrants further clinical investigation; however, it was not recommended for the treatment of dyslipidemia because of non-significant and often contradictory results in Western populations in double-blind trials. Again, further large-scale clinical trials are needed to evaluate the efficacy of guggulipid in hypercholesterolemia.
Posologie
Oral: resin
1000 - 2250 mg
16 - weeks
standardized extract, dry extract
Guggulipid for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia: a randomized controlled trial
Clinical trials with gugulipid. A new hypolipidaemic agent
A comparative study on hypocholesterolaemic effect of allicin, whole germinated seeds of bengal gram and guggulipid of gum gugglu
Guggul for hyperlipidemia: a review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration
Hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of Commiphora mukul as an adjunct to dietary therapy in patients with hypercholesterolemia
Effect of Commiphora mukul (gum guggulu) in patients of hyperlipidemia with special reference to HDL-cholesterol
Comparative hypolipidaemic effectiveness of gum guggulu (Commiphora mukul) fraction 'A', ethyl-P-chlorophenoxyisobutyrate and Ciba-13437-Su
Long term clinical studies on the hypolipidaemic effect of Commiphora mukul (Guggulu) and clofibrate
Resin from the mukul myrrh tree, guggul, can it be used for treating hypercholesterolemia? A randomized, controlled study
Acne ✪✪✪✪✪
According to a study, it was observed that guggulipid played an effective role in the treatment of nodulocystic acne. Twenty patients with nodulocystic acne were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Patients in one of the groups received tetracycline (500 mg) and those in the other group received guggulipid twice daily for 3 months. Guggulipid showed an effect similar to tetracycline for the prevention of nodulocystic acne.
Posologie
Oral: resin
25 mg
standardized extract
Rheumatism ✪✪✪✪✪
Preliminary clinical research shows that taking 500 mg of guggul (containing 3.5% guggulsterones) three times a day may improve osteoarthritis-related pain. One study shows that taking guggul at a dose of 3 grams per day for 4 months may improve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis compared to baseline.
Posologie
Oral: resin
1500 mg
standardized extract
Properties
Hypolipidemic
Several mechanisms of action are responsible for this effect. Guggulsterones act as antagonists of the bile acid receptor and the farnesoid X receptor (FXR), which are involved in the regulation of bile acids and cholesterol metabolism. Crude guggul contains ion-exchange resins that can remove bile from intrahepatic circulation. In addition, two diterpenoids have been identified that act on pancreatic enzymes (PLA2) to control the absorption of fats and cholesterol in the gastrointestinal tract.nnAccording to a review, 11 clinical studies generally showed that C. mukul guggulipid significantly reduces triglyceride and total cholesterol levels; however, the results of a recent randomized double-blind trial were negative (Ulbricht et al 2005). The conflicting clinical results regarding effects on total cholesterol, HDL, TG and LDL levels may be due to administration of different C. mukul materials.nnnn
Usages associés
Guggulsterone activates multiple nuclear receptors and induces CYP3A gene expression through the pregnane X receptor
Gugulu (Commiphora mukul) induces triiodothyronine production: possible involvement of lipid peroxidation
The hypolipidemic natural product guggulsterone acts as an antagonist of the bile acid receptor
Guggulsterone is a farnesoid X receptor antagonist in coactivator association assays but acts to enhance transcription of bile salt export pump
Effect of guggulsterone and cembranoids of Commiphora mukul on pancreatic phospholipase A(2): role in hypocholesterolemia
Hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects of Commiphora mukul as an adjunct to dietary therapy in patients with hypercholesterolemia
GUGULIPID: a natural cholesterol-lowering agent
Stimulation of low density lipoprotein receptor activity in liver membrane of guggulsterone treated rats
Therapeutic effects of guggul and its constituent guggulsterone: cardiovascular benefits
A natural product that lowers cholesterol as an antagonist ligand for FXR
Hypoglycemic
The ethanolic resin extract of C. mukul has shown antihyperglycemic and antioxidant effects in diabetic rat models. Guggulsterones 21 and 22 were identified as protectors of pancreatic beta-cell function and prevented any alteration of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. In vivo studies showed that guggulsterones 21 and 22 reduced plasma insulin and blood glucose levels, and increased glycogen content.
Anti-inflammatory
Myrrhanol A, a triterpene isolated from the gum resin of C. mukul, produces potent anti-inflammatory activity, as observed in an animal model of inflammation. In an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis, significant anti-inflammatory effects were confirmed with oral administration, also resulting in a reduction of joint swelling. In vitro, the guggul constituent, guggulsterone, can suppress activation of the nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB and decrease production of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-2, IL-4, interferon (IFN)-gamma and nitric oxide. Guggul could also reduce lipoprotein (a) and C-reactive protein. Suppression of NF-kappaB activation by guggulsterone may inhibit differentiation of monocytes into osteoclasts. This may reduce bone resorption and improve osteoarthritis.
Usages associés
Hormonal metabolism
Guggulsterone has thyroid-stimulating activity. It appears to increase T3 synthesis by increasing the conversion of T4 to T3.
Thyroid stimulating action of Z-guggulsterone obtained from Commiphora mukul
Effect of a keto-steroid of Commifora mukul L. on hypercholesterolemia & hyperlipidemia induced by neomercazole & cholesterol mixture in chicks
Gugulu (Commiphora mukul) induces triiodothyronine production: possible involvement of lipid peroxidation
Safe dosage
Adult: 1000 mg - 3000 mg
500-1000 mg of standardized guggulipid administered two to three times a day. Guggulipid preparations are often standardized to 2.5-5% guggulsterones.
Interactions
Médicaments
Antiplatelet/anticoagulant: moderate interaction
Guggul may have antiplatelet and anticoagulant effects. Theoretically, taking guggul with other antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications could increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Diltiazem: moderate interaction
Concurrent oral administration may reduce the bioavailability of diltiazem and may reduce therapeutic effects.
Propanolol: moderate interaction
Concurrent oral administration may reduce the bioavailability of propranolol and may reduce therapeutic effects.
Thyroid hormone-based medications: moderate interaction
In theory, concomitant use could interfere with treatment aimed at normalizing thyroid function.
Precautions
Hormone-sensitive disease: avoid
Some preliminary research suggests that guggulsterones may have agonist effects on estrogen receptor-alpha and progesterone receptors. Women with hormone-sensitive conditions should avoid guggulsterones. Some of these conditions include breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids.
Thyroid disorders: avoid
Theoretically, concomitant use could interfere with the treatment of hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
Breastfeeding: avoid
Avoid due to lack of data.
Contraindications
Pregnancy: contraindicated
Guggul gum resin appears to stimulate menstrual flow and the uterus.
