The Effect of B erberis Vulgaris Extract on Blood Pressure and Weight of the Patients suffered from Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Hypertension in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is the main cause of cardiovascular disease. The present study aimed to determine the effect of Berberis vulgaris fruit extract on blood pressure and weight in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This clinical trial was conducted in 2011 on 80 patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disorder، including 32 males (40%) and 48 females (60%)، who were randomly assigned into case and control group. The case group were given two capsules (750 mg) including berberis vulgaris extract every day for three months، while the subjects of control group treated by placebo. Blood pressure and weight of baseline and those of after three month were assessed and analyzed by SPSS software Ver. 17، using paired t-test and independent t-test (p≤0. 05). the mean of weight decreased from 80. 23±11. 68 (baseline) to 78. 71±11. 31 (End of the third month)، which was statistically significant compared to control group (P<0. 001). The Mean of systolic and diastolic blood pressure was significant compared to control group. (p<0. 05). Considering the significant decrease in weight and blood pressure، further studies with larger sample size are needed to generalize crucially the results. This extract can be introduced to treat overweight and hypertension in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.