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Pc7.5
Policosanol Research
Likely helpsHigh safety
36 peer-reviewed studies
What the evidence says
Likely helps
Policosanol appears to help in 16 of 16 studies with measurable effects — the evidence leans clearly favourable.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2005–2025 with a typical study size of 120 participants.
Based on 36 studies · 7 meta-analyses · 28 RCTs · 16,732 total participants
6 studies in the last 5 years · Latest meta-analysis: 2024
200520152025
1Blood glucose levelsMeta-AnalysisCited 10×n=2,680 · very large study2024
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 ...
Reza Amini M et al. · Diabetes research and clinical practice (2024)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
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.
2Liver enzymes (ALT and AST)Meta-AnalysisCited 3×n=2,535 · very large study2024
Policosanol supplementation exerts a beneficial effect on liver enzymes as well as ALT and AST concentrations in adults.
Gholamrezayi A et al. · Complementary therapies in medicine (2024)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
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.
3LDL-C levelsSystematic ReviewCited 13×n=837 · large study2021
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.
Roy G et al. · Nutrients (2021)
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.
4Lipid levelsMeta-AnalysisCited 45×n=1,886 · large study2018
The pooled results supported the lipid-lowering effects and safety of policosanol.
Gong J et al. · Molecular nutrition & food research (2018)
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.
5Plasma lipid and glucose levelsMeta-AnalysisCited 80×n=1,670 · large study2016
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.
Pirro M et al. · Pharmacological research (2016)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
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.
6LDL cholesterol reductionMeta-AnalysisCited 72×n=4,596 · very large study2005
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.
Chen JT et al. · Pharmacotherapy (2005)
Large benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
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.
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.
Millán J et al. · Clinica e investigacion en arteriosclerosis : publicacion oficial de la Sociedad Espanola de Arteriosclerosis (2016)
Barely noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
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.
10Systolic blood pressureRCTn=200 · medium study2025
The Journal of Clinical Hypertension
Revueltas Aguero M et al. · Journal of clinical hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.) (2025)
Huge benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
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).
11Left ventricular mass reductionRCTCited 18×n=158 · medium study2020
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.
Mercurio V et al. · Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) (2020)
Barely noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
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.
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.
Galletti F et al. · Lipids in health and disease (2019)
14Blood pressure and lipid profile improvementRCTCited 19×2023
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.
Cho KH et al. · International journal of molecular sciences (2023)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
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.
15Systolic blood pressure reductionRCTCited 27×n=84 · small study2019
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.
Park HJ et al. · International journal of environmental research and public health (2019)
Noticeable benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
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.
16Lipid parameters and arterial stiffnessRCTCited 13×n=102 · medium study2018
Policosanol + fenofibrate combination therapy significantly improved lipid parameters, arterial stiffness, and quality of life, with good tolerability.
Wang HY et al. · The American journal of the medical sciences (2018)
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.
17Blood pressure and lipid profile via HDL functionality enhancementRCTCited 38×2018
These functional enhancements of HDL can contribute to the prevention of aging-related diseases, hypertension, and stroke.
Cho KH et al. · Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity (2018)
Large benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
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.
18Lipid regulation effectsRCTCited 3×n=179 · medium study2016
The various genotypes of the ApoA1 G75A SNP influence the efficacy of lipid regulation by pravastatin and policosanol in patients with hyperlipidemia.
Liu TN et al. · Genetics and molecular research : GMR (2016)
Borderline
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).
19Platelet reactivity reductionRCTCited 12×n=350 · medium study2016
Policosanol reduced platelet reactivity to a similar extent as high maintenance dose of clopidogrel without increasing bleeding rate.
Xu K et al. · Cardiovascular therapeutics (2016)
Huge benefit
← WorseNo effectBetter →
Likely real
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.
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).
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).