Effect of a dietary supplement on the reduction of lymphedema-progression in mouse tail-cut model

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to evaluate in vivo, in a mouse tail model of lymphedema, the effects of a dietary supplement, Garlive (R), based on hydroxytyrosol from olive leaves, spermidine from rice seeds, hesperidin from citrus fruits and vitamin A. Hydroxytyrosol has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities and inhibits leukotriene B4 generation; spermidine is able to inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators; hesperidin inhibits the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines: IFN-gamma, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10; vitamin A deficiency was shown to induce inflammation and aggravate existing inflammatory states, whereas supplementation with vitamin A could ameliorate inflammation.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The active compounds were included in tablets: 250 mg of olive leaf extract titrated in 10% hydroxytyrosol, 200 mg of citrus fruits extract titrated in 60% hesperidin, 10 mg of rice (Oryza sativa) seeds extract titrated in 1% spermidine and 0.8 mg of vitamin A. Mice of an inbred group were randomly selected and divided in the control group and drug-treated group. The wound necessary for lymphedema generation was made on the tail of each mouse 1 cm below the base of the trunk.RESULTS: After surgical intervention, there was a gradual increase in the circumference of both ends of the wound. The control group showed higher increase of tail volume than the drug-treated group. The differences in tail swelling between the control group and the drug-treated group were significantly different. The peak of swelling was anticipated to the 6th day in the drug-treated group, whereas in the control group the peak was reached later on.CONCLUSIONS: The tested drug prevented the induction of swelling from day 5th of wound creation and decreased the duration of swelling, favoring the wound healing.