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Background/objectives: Malva sylvestris L. is rich in mucilage and is traditionally used for the management of numerous ailments including gastrointestinal disorders. Functional constipation (FC) is a gastrointestinal condition characterized by defecation anomalies such as infrequent stools, difficulty in stool passage, or both in the absence of pathological abnormalities. FC can be reduced through lifestyle factors and dietary intervention. This consumer-based survey aimed to assess the efficacy of a M. sylvestris extract-based food supplement on the improvement of FC., Methods: Healthy participants ( n = 56), enrolled in a consumer-based survey, took a food supplement containing a chemically characterized M. sylvestris extract at a dose of 20 mL/day (containing 750 mg of M. sylvestris extract rich in food fiber and polyphenols) for 20 days on the advice of their pharmacist. The study evaluated bowel movement frequency (intestinal diary), stool consistency (Bristol Stool Form Scale, BSFS), and abdominal pain (Visual Analogue Scale, VAS), at baseline (T0), after 10 days (T1), and after 20 days (T2)., Results: A significant increase in bowel movement frequency and stool consistency ( p < 0.001) with a significant decrease in abdominal pain ( p < 0.001) was observed. Additionally, this food supplement was well-tolerated as no adverse effects were reported by the enrolled subjects., Conclusion: M. sylvestris -based food supplement showed promising effectiveness and satisfaction in improving FC in healthy subjects, however, randomized clinical studies are needed to confirm these preliminary results.

The risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is approximately doubled in subjects with hypercholesterolemia compared to those with normal blood cholesterol levels. Monacolin K (MK), the main active substance in rice fermented by the Monascus purpureus , acts on cholesterol metabolism. Rice also contains other bioactive compounds such as γ-oryzanol (OZ) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). In a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial, the efficacy and tolerability of a food supplement (FS) based on an ingredient standardized to contain monacolins (4.5%), OZ, and GABA were evaluated in subjects with mild dyslipidemia. For the duration of the trial, enrolled subjects ( n = 44, each group) received the FS or placebo and were instructed to use an isocaloric diet. Compared to the placebo group, after a 3 months of the FS, the mean low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and mean TC values were reduced by 19.3 and 8.3%, respectively, while the mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol value increased by 29.3%. On average, the subjects shifted from very high to moderate CVD risk. Glucose metabolism and hepatic and renal parameters did not change after the treatment and no adverse events were reported. Guidelines to handle hypercholesterolemia with food supplements in specific clinical settings are needed to better manage mild dyslipidemia.

A study on 81 individuals (18-75 years old) with mildly impaired fasting blood glucose (FBG) concentrations (98-125 mg/dL) was undertaken to investigate the tolerability of a food supplement (FS) based on Zea mays and Gymnema sylvestre extracts, zinc, and chromium and its efficacy on glucose and lipid metabolism. The subjects were randomized into three groups (27 in each group) and supplemented with one or two tablet(s)/day of FS (groups 1 and 2, respectively), or two tablets/day of placebo (group 3). Blood sampling was carried out at baseline (t0) and after a 3-month treatment (t1), and biochemical parameters associated with glucose and lipid metabolism and kidney and liver toxicity were evaluated. Compared to the placebo, FBG and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were significantly ( p < 0.001) reduced in group 1 subjects. In contrast, at the doses of one and two tablet(s)/day, the FS exerted no effect on the other parameters examined. We conclude that in subjects with slightly impaired FBG, ingestion of a FS based on Z. mays and G. sylvestre extracts, zinc, and chromium over 3 months lowers FBG and modulates glucose homeostasis by improving glucose metabolism. These beneficial effects occur in the absence of biochemical evidence of kidney and liver toxicity.