Effects of a powder of the fruit of Adansonia digitata (Tabaldia, Gongolase, or baobab tree) on serum lipids

Hyperlipidemia is a well-known risk factor related to the development of ischemic heart disease. Soluble dietary fiber possesses lipid-lowering properties. Adansonia digitata (AD) is composed of 56% pectin and 6% soluble fiber based on dry weight. The beneficial effects of AD on lipid profile require further verification. An intervention trial was conducted at Soba Hospital, Sudan, to evaluate the effects of AD on serum lipids among a population of hyperlipidemic patients. The intervention group (n = 136) received a 20 mg tablet of atorvastatin daily in addition to 30 mg of AD for 28 days while controls (n = 134) received atorvastatin only. Serum lipid levels were measured using conventional methods before and 1 month following the trial. The two groups were similar in their basic characteristics with no significant differences. There was a notable reduction in the levels of total cholesterol (120.06 vs. 49.06%, P < 0.001) and triglycerides (78.13 vs. 57.44%, P < 0.001) in the intervention group compared with the control group.