Hypercholesterolemia is an asymptomatic condition with an estimated global prevalence of 39%. Elevated cholesterol levels are a known risk factor for cardiovascular (CVD) and cerebrovascular diseases; the primary treatment for hypercholesterolemia is based on the use of statins, which have been shown to effectively reduce LDL cholesterol. However, statins can cause various side effects.

The scientific community is exploring alternative approaches to maintaining normal cholesterol levels and reducing the risk of metabolic diseases and CVD. Polyphenols, such as flavonoids, are key mediators of these benefits, acting through various mechanisms, including the inhibition of intestinal cholesterol absorption and the promotion of hepatic clearance of LDL cholesterol.

To demonstrate the efficacy of a standardized flavonoid extract (150 mg/day) from Citrus bergamia on cholesterol and lipid management, the Complife team conducted a placebo-controlled clinical study on 64 subjects with high cholesterol. The total duration of the study was 4 months, with intermediate evaluations at one-month intervals.

The primary endpoints of the study included low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), and paraoxonase activity (PON1). Secondary endpoints included the measurement of weight, blood pressure, triglycerides (TG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), paraoxonase activity (PON1), C-reactive protein (CRP), and creatinine (CR).
All blood parameters were measured using routine laboratory methods. The HDL-C concentration was calculated using the Friedewald formula.

Blood samples were collected after an overnight fast (~12 hours) by a nurse in a clinical biochemistry laboratory.

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