Mulberry leaf is well known for its several biological effects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the hypolipidemic effect of mulberry leaf in non-diabetic patients with mild dyslipidemia. A within-subjects research design was conducted at the out-patient clinic in Thailand. Twenty-three patients who met the NCEP ATP III criteria guideline for dyslipidemia and failed a 4 week diet therapy were enrolled and assigned to receive three tablets of 280 mg mulberry leaf tablet three times a day before meals for a period of 12 weeks. Routine blood analyses including lipid parameters and liver function tests were performed every 4 weeks. At 4 and 8 weeks of mulberry leaf tablet therapy, triglyceride was significantly decreased by 10.2% (p < 0.05) and 12.5% (p < 0.05), respectively, from baseline. At the end of the study, total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL were significantly decreased by 4.9% (p < 0.05), 14.1% (p < 0.05) and 5.6% (p < 0.05), respectively, from baseline, whereas HDL was significantly increased by 19.7% (p < 0.05). Even though some patients experienced side effects such as mild diarrhea (26%), dizziness (8.7%) or constipation and bloating (4.3%), mulberry leaf tablet therapy is still capable and safe in reducing cholesterol levels and enhancing HDL in patients with mild dyslipidemia. Copyright (c) 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
