# Effect of Celery Seed (Apium graveolens L.) Administration on the Components of Metabolic Syndrome, Insulin Sensitivity, and Insulin Secretion: A Clinical Trial

## TL;DR

This clinical trial found that celery seed reduced blood pressure, triglycerides, and uric acid in people with metabolic syndrome, but did not affect insulin sensitivity or secretion.

## Contribution

This is the first clinical trial to evaluate the effects of celery seed on metabolic syndrome components, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion.

## Key findings

- Celery seed significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure in patients with metabolic syndrome.
- Triglycerides, VLDL, and uric acid levels were significantly lowered after celery seed administration.
- No significant changes in insulin sensitivity or insulin secretion were observed.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of cardiometabolic risk factors whose current management relies on lifestyle changes and pharmacological interventions, frequently involving multiple medications. Therefore, the demand for therapies capable of delivering comprehensive management of MetS is increasing. In this context, nutraceuticals such as celery seed have attracted increasing scientific interest. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of celery seed (Apium graveolens L.) administration on the components of MetS, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was carried out in 28 patients with MetS. Fourteen patients randomly received celery seed (150 mg/day) for 12 weeks, and 14 subjects received a placebo. Clinical and laboratory determinations were evaluated at baseline and the end of the study. Results: After celery seed administration, patients showed a significant decrease in their systolic blood pressure (SBP) (121.0 ± 9.7 mmHg vs. 115.7 ± 12.8 mmHg, p = 0.005), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (82.2 ± 5.9 mmHg vs. 78.5 ± 8.6 mmHg, p = 0.013), triglycerides (TG) (2.3 ± 0.9 mmol/L vs. 1.8 ± 0.6 mmol/L, p = 0.016), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) (0.4 ± 0.1 mmol/L vs. 0.3 ± 0.1 mmol/L, p = 0.016) and uric acid (297.4 ± 53.5 µmol/L vs. 261.7 ± 53.5 µmol/L, p = 0.009). Insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion showed no statistically significant differences in the celery seed group. Conclusions: Celery seed administration significantly reduced SBP, DBP, TG, VLDL, and uric acid. The protocol was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier NCT06061926.