| The useful constituents of guggul, gugulipid and | | | | garlic. |
| guggulsterone, are derived from Commiphora molmol. | | | | Guggul shouldn't be used by patients with liver or |
| Guggul may lower serum cholesterol levels by as | | | | kidney disease. Pregnant and breast-feeding patients |
| much as 24%, and triglyceride levels by as much as | | | | should also avoid use. |
| 23%, by increasing the hepatic binding of LDL | | | | Clinical considerations |
| cholesterol. Its effects on HDL cholesterol levels are | | | | Monitor patient with thyroid disease or taking a thyroid |
| variable, either increasing or decreasing. Guggulsterone | | | | supplement because guggul stimulates the thyroid |
| stimulates the thyroid gland, has anti-inflammatory | | | | gland. |
| properties, may help in weight reduction, and protects | | | | Guggul may interfere with the intended therapeutic |
| against myocardial necrosis resulting from drug toxicity. | | | | effect of conventional drugs. |
| Guggul is available as capsules and tablets. Common | | | | Only preparations with standardized amounts of |
| trade names include Guggulow, Guggul Raj, Gugulmax, | | | | guggulsterone should be used. |
| Gugulplus, and Ultra Guggulow. | | | | Use should be limited to 12 to 24 Weeks. |
| Reported uses | | | | Monitor serum cholesterol levels. |
| Guggul has used pnmanly for Its ability to decrease | | | | If patient is pregnant or breast-feeding, or is planning to |
| serum cholesterol levels. It's also used to treat | | | | become pregnant, instruct her not to use guggul. |
| atherosclerosis and high cholesterol and high | | | | Tell patient that herb isn't a substitute for healthy eating |
| triglyceride levels. In Ayurvedic medicine, it's used to | | | | and exercise. |
| treat arthritis and to aid in weight loss. | | | | Advise patient to keep guggul out of reach of children |
| Administration | | | | and pets. |
| Daily dose of guggulsterone is 25 mg three times a | | | | Tell patient to notify pharmacist of any herbal or |
| day, is provided in a 500-mg tablet standardized to | | | | dietary supplement that he's taking when obtaining a |
| contain 5% guggulsterone. | | | | new prescription. |
| Hazards | | | | Advise patient to consult his health care provider |
| Guggul has been associated with diarrhea, anorexia, | | | | before using an herbal preparation because a |
| abdominal pain, and rash. There is potential reduction in | | | | conventional treatment with proven efficacy may be |
| the bioavailability of single doses of diltiazem and | | | | available. |
| propranolol when these drugs are given with guggul. | | | | Research summary |
| The effects of thyroid drugs may be altered because | | | | Although the mechanism is unclear, studies show that |
| guggul stimulates the thyroid gland. Guggul's | | | | guggul stimulates the thyroid gland, which may account |
| lipid-lowering effect is increased when it's used with | | | | for its ability to lower serum cholesterol. |