Scientists from Kyung Hee University report that data from 43 obese people showed that an A. spathulifolius Maxim extract was associated with an average weight reduction of 3.3 kg (or 4%), but did not change lipid profiles, fasting blood sugar or hemoglobin A1c levels.
“It has been shown that clinically meaningful changes can occur at this level, as sustained weight loss of as little as 3 to 5% of body weight can decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease or [type 2 diabetes],” wrote the researchers in Nutrition Research.
“A limited number of drugs are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) for long-term use in weight loss treatment. In clinical trials, 120 mg of orlistat caused a 3.4 kg loss over one year, while 10 mg of lorcaserin reduced weight by 3.2 kg over one year compared to that in the placebo controls. Therefore, the [A. spathulifolius Maxim extract] treatment used in the present study showed competitive weight reduction results compared to that of drugs approved by the US FDA, despite the relatively short treatment period of 12 weeks.”
The plant
A. spathulifolius Maxim is a perennial herb from the family Asteraceae, which grows along the eastern and southern coasts of South Korea, southwestern Japan, and China. Aerial parts of the plant have traditionally been eaten as vegetables in Korea, explained the researchers.
Previous in vitro and in vivo studies have reported that the plant may have anti-viral activity and anti-obesity effects in lab animals. The new study included 43 obese people randomly assigned to 12 weeks of either placebo or an A. spathulifolius Maxim leaf extract at a daily dose of 700 mg, which was calculated from efficacious doses in animal studies.
Results showed that the A. spathulifolius Maxim extract was associated with significant reductions in body weight and body fat (about 2.3 kg, compared with 0.4-0.5 kg in the placebo group).
Importantly, no adverse events were observed during the study, said the researchers.
“This is the first clinical study investigating the weight-reductive effects of A. spathulifolius Maxim extract in obese humans,” they wrote. “A. spathulifolius Maxim extract significantly reduced body weight and fat mass in obese humans without serious adverse events during a 12-week treatment period.
“The results from our clinical study suggest that A. spathulifolius Maxim extract is a promising and efficacious food supplement for the management of obesity.”
Source: Nutrition Research
Published online ahead of print, doi:
“Aster spathulifolius Maxim extract reduces body weight and fat mass in obese humans”
Authors: I-J. Cho et al.