Evaluation of Daily Laurus nobilis Tea Consumption on Lipid Profile Biomarkers in Healthy Volunteers

Abstract

Introduction: Laurus nobilis is known in the field of herbal medicine and in vitro studies that it has beneficial effects such as antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetes, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Objective: We investigated whether L. nobilis tea consumption affects the plasma levels of lipid biomarkers in healthy volunteers.

Methods: Thirty healthy Tunisian volunteers aged between 20 and 57 years old consumed L. nobilis infusion, prepared from 5 g of dried L. nobilis leaves in 100 ml boiled water, once a day during 10 days. Plasma concentrations of serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol were measured by Beckman Coulter D × 600 analyzer before L. nobilis consumption and at the end of the experiment.

Results: L. nobilis tea consumption significantly increased the concentration of HDL cholesterol ([HDL cholesterol] D₀ = 1.34 ± 0.25 pg/mL, D₁₁=1.42 ± 0.29, p = 0.01). However, a slight decrease that was statistically non-significant in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides levels was observed (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: These findings highlight the improving blood lipidic profiles, which means a possible positive effect on reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease of L. nobilis tea consumption in healthy volunteers. However, more powerful studies with an extended treatment period are required.

Keywords:

• Biomarkers
• HDL cholesterol
• Laurus nobilis
• lipid profile

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Authors’ contributions

Chahra Chbili and Maher Maoua are responsible for design and development of the study. Chahra Chbili and Maher Maoua contributed to data analysis and interpretation. Chahra Chbili and Maher Maoua contributed to writing the article or critical analysis leading to significant changes to the intellectual content. Chahra Chbili, Maher Maoua, Mejda Selmi, Sawssen Mrad, Hedi Khairi, Khalifa Limem, Nejib Mrizek, Saguem Saad and Maha Ben Fredj contributed to final approval of the version submitted after critical review.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge financial support from the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and from the Department of Occupational Medicine Farhat Hached Teaching Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia.