A polyphenol-rich plant extract prevents hypercholesterolemia and modulates gut microbiota in western diet-fed mice

I’ve not heard of this approach for high cholesterol levels before, seems to be coming out of a legitimate lab in France:

Totum-070 is a combination of five plant extracts enriched in polyphenols to target hypercholesterolemia, one of the main risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Totum-070 on cholesterol levels in an animal model of diet-induced hypercholesterolemia.

Results

The Western diet induced obesity, fat accumulation, hepatic steatosis and increased plasma cholesterol compared with the control group. All these metabolic perturbations were alleviated by Totum-070 supplementation in a dose-dependent manner. Lipid excretion in feces was higher in mice supplemented with Totum-070, suggesting inhibition of intestinal lipid absorption. Totum-070 also increased the fecal concentration of short chain fatty acids, demonstrating a direct effect on intestinal microbiota.

Totum-070 is a polyphenol-rich blend of these five plant extracts (olive leaves, artichoke leaves, chrysanthellum, goji fruits and black pepper) selected because of their abundance in bioactive molecules with the aim of lowering cholesterol in individuals with mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia

Paper (open access):

from the company website:

In these models, data demonstrate a profound efficacy of TOTUM•070 on circulating lipids, with a dose-dependent reduction compared to the high-fat diet alone:

  • 37 to 48% reduction of “bad” cholesterol (non-HDL, including LDL);
  • 31 to 42% of total cholesterol;
  • 30 to 46% of blood triglycerides.

The results of the Phase II HEART clinical study were published on June 13, 2022.

This multicentric, international, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study involved 120 people with untreated mild to moderate hypercholesterolemia, with blood level of LDL cholesterol between 130 mg/dl and 190 mg/dl. The participants were divided into two equivalent arms of 60 people, supplemented for six months with a daily dose of 5 g of TOTUM•070 or a placebo, in two intakes.

After a 6-month supplementation, the study achieved its objective of significantly reducing LDL cholesterol in the blood (primary endpoint, -9% versus placebo, p<0,01). As early as 3 months of supplementation with TOTUM•070, the results showed a significant lipid-lowering effect, with:

  • a significant 13% reduction in blood LDL cholesterol level, compared to placebo (p<0.01);
  • a significant 14% reduction in blood triglyceride level, compared to placebo (p<0.05).

Company Website:

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Below seems to be the patent.

TABLE 1

Example of composition in tablet form

For
List of ingredients three tablets
Dry extract of aerial parts of Chrysanthellum indicum 600 mg
Dry extract of Cynara scolymus leaves 600 mg
Dry extract of Vaccinium myrtillus fruit 60 mg
Dry extract of Piper nigrum fruit 6 mg
Microcrystalline cellulose 700 mg
Magnesium stearate 26 mg
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It has been around at least since 2022, but I couldn’t find anyone selling it. Did I miss something?

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It looks like it’s just now becoming available to the public in France. They have plans to make it available internationally at some point…

https://www.eqs-news.com/news/fr-regulatory/valbiotis-to-launch-its-100-natural-dietary-supplement-for-the-management-of-hypercholesterolemia-on-the-french-market-in-may/2026617

“International roll-out of Lipidrive®: discussions continue in preparation for an agreement
Alongside the launch of Valbiotis®PRO Cholestérol, exclusively containing Lipidrive®, in France, the Company is pursuing its Business Development activities with a view to signing one or more licensing agreements for this product, either worldwide or regionally (outside France). Discussions are currently underway with several players in the nutrition and healthcare sectors. Bringing them to a successful conclusion will remain a priority for Valbiotis throughout 2024.”

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