Improved HDL, LDL and total cholesterol levels following a 3-month administration of Mentha spicata leaf extract and Amaranthus caudatus seed flour extracts, flavonoids and B vitamins. A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial.
Di Minno A, Morone M, et al. • Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD • 2026
Treatment B (highest dose food supplement containing Mentha spicata leaf extract, Amaranthus caudatus seed flour, flavonoids, and B vitamins) was associated with a significant reduction in LDL-C (~31.5 mg/dL; -22%) and TC (~19.5 mg/dL; -9%), along with an increase in HDL-C, in subjects with borderline high cholesterol levels over 90 days.
Key Findings
Results
Treatment B (highest dose food supplement) significantly reduced LDL-C levels compared to placebo.
LDL-C reduction of approximately 31.5 mg/dL (-22%) in the Treatment B group
114 participants aged 18-70 years with TC levels 200-239 mg/dL (5.18-6.19 mmol/L) and LDL-C <159 mg/dL were enrolled
Treatment duration was 90 days
Treatment B group consisted of n=38 participants
Results
Treatment B (highest dose food supplement) significantly reduced total cholesterol levels compared to placebo.
Total cholesterol reduction of approximately 19.5 mg/dL (-9%) in the Treatment B group
Participants had borderline high TC levels at baseline (200-239 mg/dL)
The study was a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial
Three groups were compared: Treatment A (lowest dose, n=38), Treatment B (highest dose, n=38), and placebo (n=38)
Results
Treatment B (highest dose food supplement) was associated with an increase in HDL-C levels.
HDL-C increase was observed in the Treatment B group over the 90-day intervention
This improvement in HDL-C occurred alongside reductions in LDL-C and total cholesterol
The study enrolled subjects with borderline high TC and LDL-C levels
Results
Treatment A (lowest dose food supplement) showed lesser efficacy compared to Treatment B on lipid profile outcomes.
Treatment A contained a lower dose of the blend of Mentha spicata leaf extract and Amaranthus caudatus seed flour
Both treatments contained the same doses of flavonoids (naringin and hesperidin) and B vitamins (B3, B6, B9, and B12)
Treatment A group consisted of n=38 participants receiving the lowest dose for 90 days
The differential efficacy between Treatment A and Treatment B suggests a dose-dependent effect of the vegetable extract blend
Results
High-resolution mass spectrometry analysis indicated that the greater efficacy of Treatment B is likely attributable to its higher Mentha spicata extract content.
High-resolution mass spectrometry analysis was performed on the food supplement preparations
Treatment B contained a higher dose of the blend of Mentha spicata leaf extract and Amaranthus caudatus seed flour compared to Treatment A
The authors attributed the differential efficacy between treatments primarily to the M. spicata extract content
Methods
The food supplements were evaluated for both efficacy and tolerability in subjects with borderline high cholesterol levels.
The trial was designed as a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial
114 participants were randomized into three equal groups of 38
Participants had TC levels of 200-239 mg/dL (5.18-6.19 mmol/L) and LDL-C <159 mg/dL at baseline
The intervention period was 90 days
The food supplements contained flavonoids (naringin and hesperidin), B3, B6, B9 and B12 vitamins, and a blend of Mentha spicata leaf extract and Amaranthus caudatus seed flour
Di Minno A, Morone M, Cordara M, Buccato D, De Lellis L, Ullah H, et al.. (2026). Improved HDL, LDL and total cholesterol levels following a 3-month administration of Mentha spicata leaf extract and Amaranthus caudatus seed flour extracts, flavonoids and B vitamins. A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial.. Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.numecd.2025.104470