Flavoxine Lowers CV Risk Factors

FAIRFIELD, Calif.—A combination of Phellodendron amurense bark and Citrus sinensis peel had a beneficial effect on cardiovascular risk factors, according to a recent study published in Nutrition Journal (2008;7:16) (DOI:10.1186/1475-2891-7-16). The eight-week study was conducted with four groups; 80 subjects received two capsules of 370 mg of NP 06-1 (as Flavoxine, from Next Pharmaceuticals) or matching placebo twice daily. Both the overweight and normal weight treatment groups had significant reductions in triglycerides and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), as well as a significant increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) compared to their respective control groups. Overall, there were decreases in blood pressure in both overweight and normal weight treatment groups compared to respective placebo groups. There was also a significant decrease in fasting glucose levels in the overweight treatment group compared to the start of the study and to the overweight placebo group. There was no change in fasting blood sugar for the normal weight groups; both overweight and normal weight treatment groups lost a significant amount of weight compared to their respective placebo groups. The overweight treatment group lost an average of 5 percent body weight after eight weeks, which was associated with a significant loss in BMI.