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Updated: Jul 18, 2026
Measurement of Chitinase Activity in Biological Samples
Published on: August 22, 2019
Chios mastic gum modulates serum biochemical parameters in a human population
Angeliki Triantafyllou1, Nikolaos Chaviaras, Theodoros N Sergentanis
1Department of Biochemistry, Medical School, National University of Athens, 75, Mikras Assias Str, Athens, Greece.
Introduction:
Current research suggests that Chios mastic (Pistacia lentiscus var. chia) possesses beneficial (antimicrobial, antioxidant, hepatoprotective) properties. This study aims to assess its effects on cardiologic and hepatic biochemical indices of human subjects.
Materials And Methods:
Subjects (n=133, aged over 50) were randomly assigned to two groups, the first (high-dose group) ingesting daily 5g of mastic powder and the second receiving daily a Chios mastic solution (low-dose group). Serum biochemical parameters were determined on a monthly basis for an 18-month (high-dose group) and a 12-month (low-dose group) follow-up period. Generalized least squares random-effects linear regression was performed.
Results:
The group ingesting Chios mastic powder (high-dose group) exhibited a decrease in serum total cholesterol, LDL, total cholesterol/HDL ratio, lipoprotein (a), apolipoprotein A-1, apolipoprotein B (apoB/apoA-1 ratio did not change), SGOT, SGPT and gamma-GT levels; in the second (low-dose) group, glucose levels decreased in males.
Discussion:
Chios mastic powder could have a hepatoprotective/cardioprotective role in vivo in humans.