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] D 0 = 1.34 ± 0.25 pg/mL, D 11 =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 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.