Evening Primrose Oil Research
40 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 7.5/10
The use and performance of lyso-Gb3 for the diagnosis and monitoring of Fabry disease: A systematic literature review
Ramaswami U et al. • Molecular genetics and metabolism (2025)
Lyso-Gb3 testing demonstrated accuracy in screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of FD in certain subpopulations, particularly males, but considering its lower sensitivity in late-onset female patients, it should be used in conjunction with other tools.
- Reliability and stability across different methods used to measure lyso-Gb3 was high, with a coefficient of variation <10 % for inter- and intra-assay measurements.
- Lyso-Gb3 testing demonstrated accuracy in screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of FD in certain subpopulations, particularly males, but considering its lower sensitivity in late-onset female patients, it should be used in conjunction with other tools.
- Given the reliability of the test, it can be considered a feasible method for monitoring disease progression in FD in individual patients.
Nutritional interventions for preventing and treating pressure ulcers
Langer G et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2024)
The benefits of nutritional interventions with various compositions for pressure ulcer prevention and treatment are uncertain.
- Compared to standard diet, protein supplements may result in little to no difference in pressure ulcer incidence (protein 21 per 1000, standard diet 28 per 1000; RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.49 to 1.14; 4 studies, 4264 participants; low-certainty evidence).
- The evidence is very uncertain about the gastrointestinal side effects of these supplements (protein 109 per 1000, standard diet 155 per 1000; RR 0.70, 95% CI 0.06 to 7.96; 2 studies, 140 participants, very low-certainty evidence).
- Compared to standard diet, energy, protein and micronutrient supplements may slightly increase the number of healed pressure ulcers (energy, protein and micronutrients 366 per 1000, standard diet 253 per 1000; RR 1.45, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.85; 3 studies, 577 participants, low-certainty evidence).
Meta-Analysis of Estrogen in Osteoarthritis: Clinical Status and Protective Effects
Yang X et al. • Alternative therapies in health and medicine (2023)
ER can exert varying degrees of positive effects on OA and can effectively ameliorate the pathological process in OA patients, and it may become an alternative for OA treatment in the future, providing patients with better health and life quality.
- ER can exert varying degrees of positive effects on OA and can effectively ameliorate the pathological process in OA patients, and it may become an alternative for OA treatment in the future, providing patients with better health and life quality.
- Published in Alternative therapies in health and medicine (2023)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
D313Y Variant in Fabry Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Palaiodimou L et al. • Neurology (2022)
D313Y-positive patients displayed predominantly neurologic FD manifestations (58.1%, 95% CI 37.7%-77.1%; I2 = 78%), with central and peripheral nervous system (CNS/PNS) involvement noted in 28.2% (95% CI 15.4%-43.2%; I2 = 51%) and 28.5% (95% CI 17.8%-40.5%; I2 = 61%) of cases, respectively.
- Patients highly suspected for FD had a higher prevalence of D313Y variation (4.9%, 95% CI 1.6%-9.9%; I2 = 95.5%) compared with the general population (0%, 95% CI 0%-0.1%; I2 = 1.9%; p = 0.004).
- The prevalence of D313Y variation was 0.6% (95% CI 0.3%-1%; I2 = 74.1%), 0.4% (95% CI 0.2%-0.7%; I2 = 0%), and 0.3% (95% CI 0.2%-0.4%; I2 = 0%) in patients presenting with neurologic, cardiac, or renal manifestations, respectively.
- D313Y-positive patients displayed predominantly neurologic FD manifestations (58.1%, 95% CI 37.7%-77.1%; I2 = 78%), with central and peripheral nervous system (CNS/PNS) involvement noted in 28.2% (95% CI 15.4%-43.2%; I2 = 51%) and 28.5% (95% CI 17.8%-40.5%; I2 = 61%) of cases, respectively.
Miscellaneous treatments for antipsychotic-induced tardive dyskinesia
Soares-Weiser K et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2018)
This review has found that the use of valbenazine or extract of Ginkgo biloba may be effective in relieving the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia.
- Studies were primarily of short (three to six6 weeks) duration with small samples size (10 to 157 participants), and most (61%) were published more than 20 years ago.
- Two studies found moderate-quality evidence of a benefit of the intervention compared with placebo: valbenazine (RR 0.63, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.86, 1 RCT, n = 92) and extract of Ginkgo biloba (RR 0.88, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.96, 1 RCT, n = 157), respectively.
- This review has found that the use of valbenazine or extract of Ginkgo biloba may be effective in relieving the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia.
Oral evening primrose oil and borage oil for eczema
Bamford JT et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2013)
With regard to the risk of bias, the majority of studies were of low risk of bias; we judged 67% of the included studies as having low risk of bias for random sequence generation; 44%, for allocation concealment; 59%, for blinding; and 37%, for other biases.
- With regard to the risk of bias, the majority of studies were of low risk of bias; we judged 67% of the included studies as having low risk of bias for random sequence generation; 44%, for allocation concealment; 59%, for blinding; and 37%, for other biases.
- Published in The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2013)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Patient-level meta-analysis of efficacy and hypoglycaemia in people with type 2 diabetes initiating insulin glargine 100U/mL or neutral protamine Hagedorn insulin analysed according to concomitant oral antidiabetes therapy
Owens DR et al. • Diabetes research and clinical practice (2017)
Pooled results from treat-to-target trials in insulin-naïve people with type 2 diabetes demonstrate a significantly lower overall and nocturnal hypoglycaemia risk across different plasma glucose definitions with Gla-100 versus NPH insulin at similar glycaemic control.
- Mean HbA1c and FPG reductions were similar with Gla-100 and NPH insulin regardless of concomitant OAD (P=0.184 and P=0.553, respectively) and similar proportions of subjects achieved HbA1c <7.0% (P=0.603).
- There was a trend for more subjects treated with Gla-100 achieving FPG ⩽100mg/dL versus NPH insulin (relative risk [RR] 1.09 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.97-1.23]; P=0.135).
- Plasma glucose confirmed (<70mg/dL) overall and nocturnal hypoglycaemia incidences and rates were lower with Gla-100 versus NPH insulin (overall RR 0.93 [95% CI 0.87-1.00]; P=0.041; nocturnal RR 0.73 [95% CI 0.65-0.83]; P<0.001).
Fabry disease cardiomyopathy: A state-of-the-art review
Pande S et al. • Progress in cardiovascular diseases (2025)
All rights reserved.
- Ongoing research is essential to develop new therapies targeting the genetic and metabolic roots of the disease.
- Published by Elsevier Inc.
- All rights reserved.
Vascular calcification inhibitors in chronic kidney disease
Adoberg A et al. • Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry (2025)
Endogenous vascular calcification inhibitors could serve the role of valuable biomarkers to detect the process earlier and estimate the effect of treatment.
- Endogenous vascular calcification inhibitors could serve the role of valuable biomarkers to detect the process earlier and estimate the effect of treatment.
- The serum levels presented demonstrate the dynamics in different stages in chronic kidney disease and propose practical feedback for personalized treatment strategies.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Exploring clinical and genetic evidence in association between unsaturated fatty acids and acne
Zhang L et al. • European journal of nutrition (2025)
This study offers evidence that supports a connection between UFAs and acne, examining this relationship from both clinical and genetic angles.
- This study offers evidence that supports a connection between UFAs and acne, examining this relationship from both clinical and genetic angles.
- These findings highlight the role of specific UFAs and their associated metabolic enzymes in the development of acne.
- Omega-3 UFAs seem to have a protective effect against acne, whereas certain types and ratios of omega-6 UFAs might contribute to acne formation.
Impact of GLA Variant Classification on the Estimated Prevalence of Fabry Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Screening Studies
Monda E et al. • Circulation. Genomic and precision medicine (2023)
This systematic review and meta-analysis describe the prevalence of FD among newborns and high-risk populations, highlighting the need for a periodic reassessment of the GLA variants in the context of recent clinical, biochemical, and histological data.
- This systematic review and meta-analysis describe the prevalence of FD among newborns and high-risk populations, highlighting the need for a periodic reassessment of the GLA variants in the context of recent clinical, biochemical, and histological data.
- Published in Circulation. Genomic and precision medicine (2023)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Effects of evening primrose oil supplementation on inflammatory markers and lipid profiles: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Bahadori S et al. • Phytotherapy Research (2020)
Evening primrose oil supplementation significantly reduced CRP levels and improved lipid profiles in pooled analysis of RCTs.
- Significant reduction in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels with EPO supplementation
- Modest improvements in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol observed
- GLA-rich EPO had dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effects
A systematic review and meta-analysis of nutritional and dietary interventions in randomized controlled trials for skin symptoms in children with atopic dermatitis and without food allergy: An EAACI task force report
Vassilopoulou E et al. • Allergy (2024)
Allergy published by European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
- A meta-analysis of 20 RCTs assessing probiotics, alone or combined with prebiotics, revealed a significant reduction in SCORAD scores, suggesting a consistent trend in alleviating AD symptoms in children without food allergies.
- The review encompassed 27 RCTs examining prebiotics, Vitamin D, evening primrose oil, and substituting cow's milk formula with partially hydrolyzed whey milk formula.
- Nonetheless, evidence for other dietary interventions remains limited, underscoring the necessity for well-designed intervention studies targeting multiple factors to understand etiological interactions and propose reliable manipulation strategies.© 2024 The Author(s).
Metabolic Cardiomyopathies and Cardiac Defects in Inherited Disorders of Carbohydrate Metabolism: A Systematic Review
Conte F et al. • International journal of molecular sciences (2023)
With this systematic review we aim to raise awareness about the cardiac presentations in carbohydrate-linked IMDs and draw attention to carbohydrate-linked pathogenic mechanisms that may underlie cardiac complications.
- Considering the pivotal role of sugar metabolism in cardiac tissue, including energy production, nucleic acid synthesis and glycosylation, it is not surprising that an increasing number of IMDs linked to carbohydrate metabolism are described with cardiac manifestations.
- In this systematic review, we offer a comprehensive overview of IMDs linked to carbohydrate metabolism presenting that present with cardiomyopathies, arrhythmogenic disorders and/or structural cardiac defects.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
The effect of Oenothera biennis (Evening primrose) oil on inflammatory diseases: a systematic review of clinical trials
Sharifi M et al. • BMC complementary medicine and therapies (2024)
Some evidence regarding the potential benefits of EPO in inflammatory disorders were reported however caution is due to the limitations of the current survey.
- In rheumatoid arthritis, mixed results were observed, with some studies reporting significant improvements in symptoms while others found no significant impact.
- Some evidence regarding the potential benefits of EPO in inflammatory disorders were reported however caution is due to the limitations of the current survey.
- Overall, contemporary literature is highly heterogeneous and fails to provide strong recommendations regarding the efficacy of EPO on inflammatory disorders.
The effect of evening primrose oil on fatigue and quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Rezapour-Firouzi S et al. • Complementary Therapies in Medicine (2019)
Evening primrose oil supplementation showed improvements in fatigue scores and quality of life metrics in MS patients.
- Evening primrose oil supplementation reduced fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients
- Improvements in quality of life measures were observed across trials
- Gamma-linolenic acid content was identified as the primary active component
Evening primrose oil for PMS: A systematic review
Dante G, Facchinetti F • Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology (2011)
Mixed evidence but some support for EPO in PMS.
- Some studies show PMS benefit
- Effective for breast symptoms
- Mixed overall evidence
Ranking Alpha Lipoic Acid and Gamma Linolenic Acid in Terms of Efficacy and Safety in the Management of Adults With Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis
Prado MB Jr et al. • Canadian journal of diabetes (2024)
ALA and GLA appear to be safe and efficacious biofactors for improvement of DN symptoms.
- Eight of the 11 articles (73%) reported significant benefit of ALA vs placebo.
- In the meta-analysis, the Total Symptom Score (TSS) for ALA 600 mg/day (ALA600) was 1.05 points lower (standard mean difference [SMD] -1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] -2.07 to -0.04, p=0.04, I2=98.18%) compared with control at the end of the study.
- In the network meta-analysis, ALA600 (SMD -1.68, 95% CI -2.8 to -0.6) and GLA (SMD -2.39, 95% CI -4.3 to -0.5) had significantly lower TSSs compared with placebo.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Efficacy of Evening Primrose Oil for Mastalgia Treatment
Ahmad Adni LL et al. • International journal of environmental research and public health (2021)
EPO is a safe medication with similar efficacy for pain control in women with mastalgia compared to a placebo, topical NSAIDS, danazol, or vitamin E.
- The random-effects model was used for estimating the risk ratios and mean differences with 95% confidence intervals.
- The results showed that EPO has no difference to reduce breast pain compared to topical NSAIDS, danazol, or vitamin E.
- The number of patients who achieved pain relief was no different compared to the placebo or other treatments.
Breast pain
Goyal A • BMJ clinical evidence (2011)
In this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: antibiotics, bromocriptine, combined oral contraceptive pill, danazol, diuretics, evening primrose oil, gestrinone, gonadorelin analogues, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), lisuride, low-fat diet, progestogens, pyridoxine, tamoxifen, tibolone, topical or oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), toremifene, and vitamin E.
- Systematic review examining Evening Primrose Oil efficacy
- Published in BMJ clinical evidence (2011)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings