Here are four key studies on Hawthorn extract (Crataegus) focusing on left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and cardiac function, complete with links and summaries:
• HERB‑CHF Trial (2009)
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 120 NYHA class II–III heart failure patients (LVEF ≤40%) over 6 months. The hawthorn group (450 mg twice daily) showed a modest but statistically significant increase in LVEF (P=0.04), though no improvement in exercise capacity or symptoms ScienceDirect+15PubMed+15ClinicalTrials.gov+15.
🔗 Herb-CHF Full Text PDF
• SPICE Trial – WS 1442 Extract (2008)
A large-scale trial (n=2681, NYHA II–III, LVEF ≤35%) using 900 mg/day of WS 1442 over 24 months. There was no significant difference in primary outcomes, but a subgroup with LVEF ≥25% experienced a 39.7% reduction in sudden cardiac death Deep Blue RepositoriesMDPI+9PubMed+9SpringerLink+9.
🔗 SPICE Trial Summary
• HFpEF Exploratory Study – WS 1442 (2014)
In 140 HFpEF patients (NYHA II), eight weeks of aerobic training plus WS 1442 showed tendencies toward improved LVEF, better 2 km walking time (–12.7% vs –8.4%, P=0.019), and enhanced cardiac oxygen utilization Nature+5PubMed+5PubMed+5CEEM Journal+14MDPI+14SpringerLink+14.
🔗 Trial DOI: 10.3390/sports2030059
• Cochrane and Review Findings (2005‑2018)
Systematic reviews note that hawthorn extracts (LI 132, WS 1442) significantly improve LVEF, pressure–heart rate product, and exercise tolerance in mild-to-moderate CHF patients. However, no mortality benefit is established MDPI+1ResearchGate+1Nature+3SpringerLink+3AAFP+3.
🔗 AAFP Overview (2005)