Policosanol Research
36 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 7.5/10
The effects of policosanol supplementation on blood glucose: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Reza Amini M et al. • Diabetes research and clinical practice (2024)
All rights reserved.
- To assess the effects of policosanol on glucose, we employed a random-effects or fixed-effects meta-analysis approach to examine the weighted mean differences (WMDs) and associated 95 % confidence intervals (CI) before and after policosanol and placebo administration.
- Compared to the control group, policosanol supplementation significantly reduced blood glucose levels (WMD: -2.24 mg/dl; 95 % CI: -4.05, -0.42, P = 0.01).
- Findings from subgroup analysis revealed a significant reduction of policosanol supplementation on glucose levels in period of less than 24 weeks, and in individuals below 50 years of age.
What is the influence of policosanol supplementation on liver enzymes? A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Gholamrezayi A et al. • Complementary therapies in medicine (2024)
Policosanol supplementation exerts a beneficial effect on liver enzymes as well as ALT and AST concentrations in adults.
- The combination of effect sizes, regarding the random-effects model, demonstrated significant changes in ALT serum levels after intervention (WMD: -1.48 U/L; 95% CI: -2.33 to -0.64; P = 0.001), and AST (WMD: -1.10 U/L; 95% CI: -1.70 to -0.51; P < 0.001).
- Policosanol supplementation exerts a beneficial effect on liver enzymes as well as ALT and AST concentrations in adults.
- However, further long-term and well-designed RCTs with better quality are needed to further assess and confirm these results.
Impact of Diet on Plasma Lipids in Individuals with Heterozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Nutritional Studies
Roy G et al. • Nutrients (2021)
This systemic review shows that the apparent lack of effectiveness of diet manipulation in modulating plasma levels of LDL-C among individuals with HeFH is likely due to biases in study designs, rather than a true lack of effects.
- A significant reduction in LDL-C levels was reported in 10 RCTs, including eight dietary supplement interventions (phytosterols, n = 6, omega-3, n = 1; guar gum, n = 1), one food-based intervention and one dietary counseling intervention.
- Studies at low risk of biases were more likely to report significant reductions in LDL-C concentrations, compared with studies at risk of bias (chi-square statistic: 5.49; p = 0.02).
- This systemic review shows that the apparent lack of effectiveness of diet manipulation in modulating plasma levels of LDL-C among individuals with HeFH is likely due to biases in study designs, rather than a true lack of effects.
Efficacy and safety of sugarcane policosanol on dyslipidemia: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Gong J et al. • Molecular nutrition & food research (2018)
The pooled results supported the lipid-lowering effects and safety of policosanol.
- The pooled results supported the lipid-lowering effects and safety of policosanol.
- Because of the high heterogeneity, the better treatment effects observed in the Cuban studies and the inconsistent dose-response relationship, more clinical trials are needed to further confirm the efficacy of policosanol on dyslipidemia.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
The effects of a nutraceutical combination on plasma lipids and glucose: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Pirro M et al. • Pharmacological research (2016)
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- Inverse variance-weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for net changes in lipid and glucose levels using a random-effects model.
- Overall, WMDs were significant for the impact of NComb supplementation on plasma levels of total cholesterol (-26.15mg/dL, p<0.001), LDL-cholesterol (-23.85mg/dL, p<0.001), HDL-cholesterol (2.53mg/dL, p<0.001), triglycerides (-13.83mg/dL, p<0.001) and glucose (-2.59mg/dL, p=0.010).
- NComb-induced amelioration of lipid profile was not affected by duration of supplementation nor by baseline lipid levels; conversely, a greater glucose-lowering effect of NComb was found with higher baseline glucose levels and longer durations of supplementation.
Meta-analysis of natural therapies for hyperlipidemia: plant sterols and stanols versus policosanol
Chen JT et al. • Pharmacotherapy (2005)
Plant sterols and stanols and policosanol are well tolerated and safe; however, policosanol is more effective than plant sterols and stanols for LDL level reduction and more favorably alters the lipid profile, approaching antilipemic drug efficacy.
- The net LDL reduction in the treatment groups minus that in the placebo groups was greater with policosanol than plant sterols and stanols (-24% versus -10%, p<0.0001).
- Policosanol caused a clinically significant decrease in the LDL:HDL ratio.
- Plant sterols and stanols and policosanol are well tolerated and safe; however, policosanol is more effective than plant sterols and stanols for LDL level reduction and more favorably alters the lipid profile, approaching antilipemic drug efficacy.
Policosanol supplementation significantly improves blood pressure among adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Askarpour M et al. • Complementary therapies in medicine (2019)
Policosanol could lower SBP and DBP significantly; future long term studies are required to confirm these findings in the general population.
- Pooled effect size was measured using random effect model (DerSimmonon method).
- Policosanol could lower SBP and DBP significantly; future long term studies are required to confirm these findings in the general population.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Effects of a nutraceutical combination containing berberine (BRB), policosanol, and red yeast rice (RYR), on lipid profile in hypercholesterolemic patients: A meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
Millán J et al. • Clinica e investigacion en arteriosclerosis : publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Arteriosclerosis (2016)
This meta-analysis confirms that the nutraceutical combination containing berberine, policosanol, and red yeast rice has shown to be an effective product for the improvement of the lipid profile.
- The effect size (relative change from baseline (%)) was -1.3 (9.9%) for total cholesterol, -1.17 (-13.7%) for LDL-c, +0.17 (+3.7%) for HDL-c and -0.24 (-7.0%) for Triglycerides.
- This meta-analysis confirms that the nutraceutical combination containing berberine, policosanol, and red yeast rice has shown to be an effective product for the improvement of the lipid profile.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Efficacy and Safety of Policosanol (Sugarcane Wax Alcohols) 20 mg/Day in Cuban Prehypertensive Patients: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Multicentre Study
Revueltas M et al. • Journal of clinical hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.) (2025)
The Journal of Clinical Hypertension published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
- Also, more (p < 0.0001) policosanol patients (44%) reached SBP reductions ≥10 mmHg and DBP reductions ≥5 mmHg versus baseline (44% and 61%, respectively) than placebo patients (7% and 22%, respectively).
- Nine patients (4.5%) discontinued the trial, none because of AE.
- Four patients (3 placebo, 1 policosanol) reported AE.
Policosanol (sugarcane wax alcohols) 20 mg/day in Cuban Patients With Grade I Hypertension: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Multicenter Study
Revueltas Aguero M et al. • Journal of clinical hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.) (2025)
The Journal of Clinical Hypertension published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
- At study completion, policosanol significantly lowered (p < 0.001) SBP, the primary outcome, by more than 10 mmHg related to baseline and placebo, while also significantly decreasing (p < 0.001) DBP values versus baseline and placebo.
- Also, more (p < 0.001) policosanol patients reached SBP reductions ≥10 mmHg and DBP reductions ≥5 mmHg versus baseline (74% and 91%, respectively) than placebo patients (12% and 15%, respectively).
- Policosanol significantly lowered low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and total cholesterol, while increasing high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C).
A nutraceutical combination reduces left ventricular mass in subjects with metabolic syndrome and left ventricular hypertrophy: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Mercurio V et al. • Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) (2020)
24-week of treatment with AP is associated with a significant reduction in LVM in subjects with MS and LVH, in addition to favourable effects on lipid profile, and could represent an effective strategy aiming at reducing the associated cardiovascular risk.
- A significant percentage reduction in LVM was observed in AP group vs baseline (-2.7%, p < 0.0001), and compared to placebo (-4.1%, p < 0.0001), and remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, baseline systolic BP and BMI and their changes during the study period.
- The proportion of subjects showing LVM reduction was higher in AP group than in the placebo group (57% vs 28%, adjusted p = 0.007).
- 24-week of treatment with AP is associated with a significant reduction in LVM in subjects with MS and LVH, in addition to favourable effects on lipid profile, and could represent an effective strategy aiming at reducing the associated cardiovascular risk.
Efficacy of a nutraceutical combination on lipid metabolism in patients with metabolic syndrome: a multicenter, double blind, randomized, placebo controlled trial
Galletti F et al. • Lipids in health and disease (2019)
The results of this study, applicable to a specific local population show that, in a population of subjects affected by MetS, treatment with AP improves the lipid profile and the most atherogenic factors, thus suggesting a reduction in the risk of development and progression of atherosclerosis, particularly in subjects with high atherogenic risk, due to the presence of sdLDL-C.
- Clinical trial examining Policosanol efficacy
- Published in Lipids in health and disease (2019)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Effects of poly-bioactive compounds on lipid profile and body weight in a moderately hypercholesterolemic population with low cardiovascular disease risk: a multicenter randomized trial
Solà R et al. • PloS one (2014)
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01562080.
- Clinical trial examining Policosanol efficacy
- Published in PloS one (2014)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Beneficial Effect of Cuban Policosanol on Blood Pressure and Serum Lipoproteins Accompanied with Lowered Glycated Hemoglobin and Enhanced High-Density Lipoprotein Functionalities in a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, and Double-Blinded Trial with Healthy Japanese
Cho KH et al. • International journal of molecular sciences (2023)
In conclusion, 12 weeks of Cuban policosanolconsumption in Japanese subjects showed significant improvement in blood pressure, lipid profiles, hepatic functions, and HbA1c with enhancement of HDL functionalities.
- The policosanol group also showed lower aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and γ-glutamyl transferase (γ-GTP) levels at week 12 than those at week 0: A decrease of up to 9% (p < 0.05), 17% (p < 0.05), and 15% (p < 0.05) was observed, respectively.
- The policosanol group showed significantly higher HDL-C level and HDL-C/TC (%), approximately 9.5% (p < 0.001) and 7.2% (p = 0.003), respectively, than the placebo group and a difference in the point of time and group interaction (p < 0.001).
- In conclusion, 12 weeks of Cuban policosanolconsumption in Japanese subjects showed significant improvement in blood pressure, lipid profiles, hepatic functions, and HbA1c with enhancement of HDL functionalities.
Short-Term Consumption of Cuban Policosanol Lowers Aortic and Peripheral Blood Pressure and Ameliorates Serum Lipid Parameters in Healthy Korean Participants: Randomized, Double-Blinded, and Placebo-Controlled Study
Park HJ et al. • International journal of environmental research and public health (2019)
In conclusion, 12-week consumption of policosanol resulted in significant reductions of peripheral SBP and DBP, aortic SBP and DBP, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and serum TC and LDL-C with elevation of % HDL-C.
- Based on an average of three measurements of peripheral BP, the policosanol 20 mg group exhibited the most significant reduction, that is, up to 7.7% reduction of average systolic BP (SBP) from 136.3 ± 6.1 mmHg (week 0) to 125.9 ± 8.6 mmHg (week 12, p < 0.001).
- Between group comparisons using repeated measures ANOVA showed that the policosanol 20 mg group had a significant reduction of SBP at 12 weeks (p = 0.020) and a reduction of diastolic BP (DBP) at 8 weeks (p = 0.041) and 12 weeks (p = 0.035).
- The policosanol 10 mg and 20 mg groups showed significant reductions in aortic SBP of 7.4% and 8.3%, respectively.
Efficacy and Safety of Policosanol Plus Fenofibrate Combination Therapy in Elderly Patients with Mixed Dyslipidemia: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Study
Wang HY et al. • The American journal of the medical sciences (2018)
Policosanol + fenofibrate combination therapy significantly improved lipid parameters, arterial stiffness, and quality of life, with good tolerability.
- There were significant increases in SF-36 scores in the policosanol and policosanol + fenofibrate groups (P < 0.05), and significant improvements of ba-PWV in the 2 groups (P < 0.01).
- Policosanol + fenofibrate combination therapy significantly improved lipid parameters, arterial stiffness, and quality of life, with good tolerability.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Consumption of Cuban Policosanol Improves Blood Pressure and Lipid Profile via Enhancement of HDL Functionality in Healthy Women Subjects: Randomized, Double-Blinded, and Placebo-Controlled Study
Cho KH et al. • Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity (2018)
These functional enhancements of HDL can contribute to the prevention of aging-related diseases, hypertension, and stroke.
- In the policosanol group, plasma total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels were reduced up to 20% and 14%, respectively, and HDL-C level was elevated up to 1.3-fold compared to that at week 0.
- TG/HDL-C and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) activities were reduced up to 36% and 20%, respectively.
- Uptake of oxidized LDL in macrophages was reduced as oxidized species levels were reduced, and HDL2-associated paraoxonase activities were enhanced by 60% compared to those at week 0.
Relationship between the G75A polymorphism in the apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) gene and the lipid regulatory effects of pravastatin in patients with hyperlipidemia
Liu TN et al. • Genetics and molecular research : GMR (2016)
The various genotypes of the ApoA1 G75A SNP influence the efficacy of lipid regulation by pravastatin and policosanol in patients with hyperlipidemia.
- Pravastatin treatment induced a significant decrease in the TC, LDL-c, and ApoB levels in patients expressing the ApoA1 AA+GA genotype (P < 0.05), and not in those expressing the GG genotype (P > 0.05).
- However, policosanol treatment induced a non-significant decrease in the serum TC levels (P > 0.05) and a significant decrease in the ApoB levels (P < 0.05), and did not induce a decrease in the LDL-c (P > 0.05) levels in patients with the AA+GA genotype.
- Policosanol also induced a significant decrease in the TC and LDL-c levels in patients with the GG genotype (P < 0.05).
Safety and efficacy of policosanol in patients with high on-treatment platelet reactivity after drug-eluting stent implantation: two-year follow-up results
Xu K et al. • Cardiovascular therapeutics (2016)
Policosanol reduced platelet reactivity to a similar extent as high maintenance dose of clopidogrel without increasing bleeding rate.
- At 30 days, the reversion rate of HPR was 34.0%, 55.2%, and 48.7% in group A, group B, and group C, respectively (P=.029).
- Major adverse cardiac events occurred in 4 (8.0%), 6(4.0%), and 5(3.3%) patients (P=.342).
- There was 1 (0.7%) major bleeding and 1 (0.7%) minor bleeding event in high maintenance dose clopidogrel group, no major or moderate bleeding in the other two groups.
Multiple functions of policosanol in elderly patients with dyslipidemia
Li C et al. • The Journal of international medical research (2020)
Policosanol regulates blood lipid levels and improves endothelial cell function, and it could delay the progress of atherosclerosis.Trial registration number: ChiCTR-RRC-17013396 (retrospectively registered).
- Policosanol regulates blood lipid levels and improves endothelial cell function, and it could delay the progress of atherosclerosis.Trial registration number: ChiCTR-RRC-17013396 (retrospectively registered).
- Published in The Journal of international medical research (2020)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings