Hypolipemic Effect of Garcinia cambogia in Obese Women

Garcinia cambogia seems to promote weight reduction and improvement on lipid profile by its major compound, hydroxycitric acid (HCA), blocking ATP‐citratelyase, potentially inhibiting lipogenesis. Furthermore, it is suggested that its extract is able to change the adipokine levels. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyse the effect of G. cambogia on the lipid profile, endocrine, calorimetric and anthropometric parameters of obese women. The women (BMI > 25 kg/m²; age 25–60 years), divided in treated (n = 30) and control (n = 13) groups, received 2.4 g (800 mg 3×/day) of garcinia extract (50% of HCA) or placebo during 60 days, respectively, as well as dietary control. Weight, BMI, waist–hip ratio and percentage of fat mass, resting metabolic rate, respiratory coefficient, triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol, HDL and LDL, leptin and insulin serum levels were evaluated. TG was significantly reduced in the treated group (p = 0.0002) and the post‐treatment variation was different compared to the placebo group (p = 0.04). No significant response was observed on other variables of the lipid profile, or on the anthropometric and calorimetric parameters. Leptin and insulin levels did not change significantly after the treatment. The short‐term treatment with G. cambogia demonstrated a hypotriglyceridemic effect, which does not appear to be related to changes in leptinemia. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The antiulcer activity of Garcinia cambogia extract against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats.

Garcinia cambogia extract is a herbal preparation that has been suggested as useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. In the present study this drug was tested for its antiulcerogenic effect. Oral pretreatment with Garcinia cambogia fruit extract (1 g/kg body wt/day) for 5, 10 or 15 days protected the gastric mucosa against the damage induced by indomethacin (20 mg/kg body wt). The volume and acidity of the gastric juice decreased in the pretreated rats. The glycoprotein levels of the gastric contents which were decreased in the untreated rats, maintained near normal levels in the pretreated rats. Protein which was elevated in the gastric juice of untreated rats, showed near normal levels in the pretreated rats. Garcinia cambogia was able to decrease the acidity and to increase the mucosal defence in the gastric areas, thereby justifying its use as an antiulcerogenic agent.     

Efficacy of Slim339 in reducing body weight of overweight and obese human subjects

A double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study has been carried out in order to evaluate the effect of orally self-administered Slim339, a proprietary fixed combination of Garcinia cambogia extract with calcium pantothenate (standardized for the content of hydroxycitric acid and pantothenic acid) and extracts of Matricaria chamomilla, Rosa damascena, Lavandula officinalis and Cananga odorata, on body weight in overweight and obese volunteers. During a 60-day treatment period, the average reduction in body weight for the group receiving Slim339 (n = 30) was 4.67% compared with 0.63% for the placebo group (n = 28) (p < 0.0001). Weight losses of >or=3 kg were recorded for 23 subjects in the treatment group and only one in the placebo group. It is concluded that Slim339 represents a potential therapy for obesity.     

Impact of certain flavonoids on lipid profiles--potential action of Garcinia cambogia flavonoids

Flavonoids from Cocos nucifera, Myristica fragrance, Saraka asoka and Garcinia cambogia exerted hypolipidaemic activity in rats. Lipid lowering activity was maximum in rats administered flavonoids (10 mg/kg BW/day) from Garcinia cambogia. A dose response study revealed biphasic activity. Higher doses were less effective in reducing lipid levels in serum and tissues, although devoid of toxic effects.     

Dietary Garcinia cambogia does not modify skin properties of mice with or without excessive sucrose intake

The influence of 3.3% Garcinia cambogia extract on the properties of mouse skin with or without 10% sucrose water loading was investigated. Mice (7-week-old) were given free access to a control diet or a diet containing Garcinia cambogia extract. They were also given water alone or both water and sucrose water. Their skin was compared by both biochemical and histological methods. The collagen and triacylglycerol contents were not significantly different among the four groups. Similarly, electron microscopy revealed no differences in the thickness of the dermis layer or the subcutaneous tissue layer. Mice given the diet containing Garcinia cambogia tended to have a reduced total number of adipocytes, but not significantly. These results suggest that Garcinia cambogia supplementation for at least 4 weeks does not induce a negative effect on skin properties in mice irrespective of excessive sucrose intake.     

Appetite Control and Glycaemia Reduction in Overweight Subjects treated with a Combination of Two Highly Standardized Extracts from Phaseolus vulgaris and Cynara scolymus

The management of overweight may include the use of dietary supplements targeted to favour the increase of the satiation associated with a decrease in blood glucose and lipid levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a dietary supplementation with an extract from Phaseolus vulgaris and Cynara scolymus, on satiation, the glucose and lipid pattern. A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial was performed in 39 overweight subjects (20 supplemented group, 19 placebo group) for 2 months. The modification of satiation, by Haber's scale, was the primary end‐point, and the variation of the glucose and lipid pattern, of the anthropometric parameters and of the psychodynamic tests score were the secondary end‐points. At the end of treatment, the net change of the Haber's mean score increased significantly in the intervention group. The net change of the glycaemia and of the dietary restriction score of the three factor eating questionnaire (TFEQ), were reduced significantly only in the intervention group. Moreover, in the supplemented group, the homeostasis model assessment, the body mass index and the susceptibility‐to‐hunger score of the TFEQ, decreased significantly after intervention; these parameters did not change in the controls. This treatment appears potentially useful in the management of overweight and dysglycaemia. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Garcinia extract inhibits lipid droplet accumulation without affecting adipose conversion in 3T3-L1 cells

Garcinia extract was isolated from the fruit of the Garcinia cambogia and was used as a potential antiobesity agent. In week 3 of culture with insulin, the fat cells exhibited more numerous and larger intracytoplasmic lipid droplets (i.e. 30-40 microm(2)). When Garcinia extract and insulin were added simultaneously, the accumulation of lipid droplets was inhibited and the peak droplet area shifted to become smaller (10-20 microm(2)). The activities of glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, a marker of adipose differentiation, were not significantly inhibited by the Garcinia extract. These findings suggest that the Garcinia extract inhibits lipid droplet accumulation in fat cells without affecting adipose conversion.     

Attenuation of colitis injury in rats using Garcinia cambogia extract

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic enteropathies that probably result from a dysregulated mucosal immune response. These pathologies are characterized by oxidative and nitrosative stress, leukocyte infiltration and up-regulation of pro-inflammatory substances. Current IBD treatment presents limitations in both efficacy and safety that stimulated the search for new active compounds. Garcinia cambogia extract has attracted interest due to its pharmacological properties, including gastroprotective effects. In this study, the antiinflammatory activity of a garcinia extract was assessed in TNBS-induced colitis rats. The results obtained revealed that garcinia administration to colitic rats significantly improved the macroscopic damage and caused substantial reductions in increases in MPO activity, COX-2 and iNOS expression. In addition, garcinia extract treatment was able to reduce PGE(2) and IL-1beta colonic levels. These antiinflammatory actions could be related to a reduction in DNA damage in isolated colonocytes, observed with the comet assay. Finally, garcinia extract caused neither mortality nor toxicity signals after oral administration. As such, the antiinflammatory effects provided by the Garcinia cambogia extract result in an improvement of several parameters analysed in experimental colitis and could provide a source for the search for new antiinflammatory compounds useful in IBD treatment.     

Metabolic Management in Overweight Subjects with Naive Impaired Fasting Glycaemia by Means of a Highly Standardized Extract From Cynara scolymus: A Double‐blind,Placebo‐controlled,Randomized Clinical Trial

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a dietary supplementation with an extract from Cynara scolymus (Cs) on the glucose pattern in a group of patients with naïve impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG). A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial has been performed in 55 overweight subjects with IFG (fasting blood glucose [FBG]: 6.11 ± 0.56 mmol/l). These subjects were randomly assigned to supplement their diet with either an extract from Cs (600 mg/d) (26 subjects) or placebo (29 matched subjects) for 8 weeks. The decrease of FBG was the primary endpoint. The assessment of Homeostatic Metabolic Assessment (HOMA), glycosylated haemoglobin, A1c‐Derived Average Glucose (ADAG), lipidic pattern and anthropometric parameters were the secondary endpoints. The within groups and percent changes from baseline were analyzed by the signed rank test. The comparison between groups was performed by Wilcoxon's two sample test. The supplemented group had significant decreases of: FBG (?9.6%), HOMA (?11.7%), glycosylated haemoglobin (?2.3%), ADAG (?3.1%) and lipidic pattern. The placebo group did not show any significant difference. Compared with the placebo, the supplemented group showed a significant difference in FBG, HOMA and lipidic pattern. These data demonstrate the efficacy of Cs extract on the reduction of glycometabolic parameters in overweight subjects with IFG. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The Effect of Resveratrol Supplementation on Cardio‐Metabolic Risk Factors in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized,Double‐Blind Controlled Trial

The aim of the present randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effect of a micronized resveratrol supplement on glycemic status, lipid profile, and body composition in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A total of 71 overweight patients with T2DM (body mass index ranged 25–30) were randomly assigned to receive 1000 mg/day trans‐resveratrol or placebo (methyl cellulose) for 8 weeks. Anthropometric indices and biochemical indices including lipid and glycemic profile were measured before and after the intervention. In adjusted model (age, sex, and baseline body mass index), resveratrol decreased fasting blood sugar (?7.97±13.6 mg/dL, p=0.05) and increased high density lipoprotein (3.62±8.75 mg/dL, p=0.01) levels compared with placebo. Moreover, the mean difference in insulin levels reached significance (?0.97±1.91, μIU/mL, p= 0.02). However, no significant differences were observed for anthropometric measures. It was found that 8‐week resveratrol supplementation produced useful effects on some cardio‐metabolic parameters in patients with T2DM. More studies are needed to confirm these findings.     

A randomized,double-blind placebo-controlled add-on trial to assess the efficacy,safety, and anti-atherogenic effect of spirulina platensis in patients with inadequately controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus

The efficacy of spirulina platensis (S. platensis) as an add-on therapy to metformin and its effect on atherogenic keys in patients with uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) was evaluated. Sixty patients were randomly assigned to S. platensis (2 g/day) or placebo group for three months while continuing metformin as their usual treatment. The efficacy of S. platensis was determined using the pre- and post-intervention HbA1c levels (primary outcome) as well as tracking FBS and lipid profiles levels (TC, LDL-C, TG, and HDL-C) as secondary outcomes at the different treatment time points (0,30,60,90 days). During the three–month intervention period, supplementation with S. platensis resulted in a significant lowering of HbA1c (↓1.43, p < 0.001) and FBS (↓ 24.94 mg/dL, p < 001) levels. Mean TG in the intervention group was found to be significantly lower in the intervention group than in controls (p < 0.001). Total cholesterol (TC) and its fraction, LDL-C, exhibited a fall (↓41.36 mg/dL and ↓38.4 mg/dL, respectively; p < 0.001) coupled with a marginal increase in the level of HDL-C (↑3 mg/dL; p < 0.001). Add-on therapy with S. platensis was superior to metformin regarding long-term glucose regulation and controlling blood glucose levels of subjects with T2DM. Also, as a functional supplement, S. platensis has a beneficial effect on atherogenic keys (TG and HDL-C) with no adverse events.     

龙虎人丹治疗晕动病(湿浊中阻证)的多中心临床研究

目的评价龙虎人丹治疗晕动病(湿浊中阻证)的有效性和安全性。方法纳入符合标准的360例晕动病(湿浊中阻证)患者,采用区组随机化方法分为A组(216例):龙虎人丹+仁丹模拟剂+盐酸倍他司汀片模拟剂;B组(72例):龙虎人丹模拟剂+仁丹+盐酸倍他司汀片模拟剂;C组(72例):龙虎人丹模拟剂+仁丹模拟剂+盐酸倍他司汀片。观察各组治疗后晕动病发生率、呕吐症状出现时间,以及治疗前后中医证候总分和湿浊中阻证候病情程度构成比的变化。结果①晕动病发生率:A组为51.90%(109/210),B组为71.83%(51/71),C组为47.76%(32/67),差异有统计学意义。②呕吐症状出现时间:因用药后仅A组出现1例,无法比较3组间的差异。③治疗后中医证候总分以及湿浊中阻证候病情程度构成比,3组比较差异有统计学意义。A组与B组比较差异有统计学意义。A组较B组中医证候总分下降更明显,与C组相当,且A组较B组更能改善湿浊中阻证候病情程度均成比。结论龙虎人丹在治疗晕动病方面具有一定疗效,能改善湿浊中阻临床症状和体征。     

The effects of wet cupping on coronary risk factors in patients with metabolic syndrome: a randomized controlled trial

High serum cholesterol is an important risk factor for cardiovascular events. It has been reported that regular blood donation is associated with a reduction in serum cholesterol. This study aimed to determine the effects of wet cupping on lipid profiles and anthropometric characteristics of patients with metabolic syndrome. One hundred and thirty-six patients aged 18-65 years with metabolic syndrome were recruited to participate in this trial. Ten patients were excluded due to exclusion criteria. Patients (n = 126) were randomly assigned into the control (n = 63) and experimental (n = 63) groups. Patients in the experimental group were treated with wet cupping combined with dietary advice. The controls were given dietary advice only. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were assessed at baseline and at six and 12 weeks after treatment. The significance of the data was analyzed using a repeated measure ANOVA. The lipid profile status did not differ significantly between the two groups (p > 0.05) whereas there was a significant difference between the two time points within each group (p < 0.05). In addition, several anthropometric parameters improved in both groups, but this did not differ significantly between subject groups. Wet cupping does not have a significant effect on anthropometric or biochemical indices compared to the effect of dietary advice alone.     

Slimming and Appetite‐Suppressing Effects of Caraway Aqueous Extract as a Natural Therapy in Physically Active Women

Following the current ‘Globesity’ trend, there is an increasing demand for alternative natural therapies for weight management. Numerous phytoconstituents reduce body weight through suppressing appetite and reducing food intake. Caraway (Carum carvi L.) is one of the medicinal plants that is traditionally used for weight loss. In this study, the appetite‐suppressing effects of caraway aqueous extract (CAE) on 70 aerobically trained, overweight, and obese women were examined in a triple‐blind, placebo‐controlled, clinical study. Subjects were randomly allocated into placebo and experimental groups and consumed either 30 mL/day of CAE or placebo without changing their diet or physical activity over a period of 90 days. Calorie and macronutrient intake and anthropometric indices were measured before and after the intervention. In addition, appetite changes were assessed through a visual analog scale and an ad libitum pizza test. After the intervention, the results showed a significant reduction in appetite levels and carbohydrate intake of the experimental group compared with the placebo group. All of the anthropometric indices were reduced significantly in CAE compared with placebo group (p < 0.01). These preliminary outcomes suggest that a dietary CAE might be effective in weight management of physically active, adult females, reducing their body size and hunger level. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Flavonoid of Drynaria fortunei protects against acute renal failure

The flavonoid fraction (FF) from Drynaria fortunei was investigated to determine its biological activity expression in three acute renal failure animal models.Guinea pigs received 100 mg/kg of gentamicin (GM group), 100 mg/kg of GM plus 10 mg/kg of FF (GMFF group), 10 mg/kg of FF (FF group) or saline (saline group) intramuscularly for 14 days. The blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels were found to be significantly higher in the GM group (22.70+/-3.84 mg/dL, 0.68+/-0.05 mg/dL) than in the GMFF group (17.10+/-1.04 mg/dL, 0.58+/-0.09 mg/dL), the FF group (17.40+/-1.01 mg/dL, 0.49+/-0.20 mg/dL) and the saline group (17.50+/-1.22 mg/dL, 0.50+/-0.02 mg/dL).Mice were treated once with 6 mg/kg of mercuric chloride, followed by 10 mg/kg of FF or saline. On days 3, 4 and 5, BUN and creatinine levels were found to be significantly higher in the HgCl2-saline group (74.00+/-39.20 mg/dL, 59.30+/-31.20 mg/dL, 74.00+/-37.30 mg/dL and 0.53+/-0.17 mg/dL, 0.48+/-0.15 mg/dL 0.33+/-0.15 mg/dL) than in the HgCl2-FF group (19.50+/-4.90 mg/dL, 43.00+/-26.30 mg/dL, 38.50+/-13.80 mg/dL and 0.23+/-0.05 mg/dL, 0.30+/-0.12 mg/dL, 0.15+/-0.06 mg/dL).After surgery for 5/6-nephrectomy, ten mice received FF at a dose of 10 mg/kg/day and eight received saline for 42 days. The saline group survived for 12-62 days and the FF group survived for 20-320 days. The FF group had a significantly longer survival time than the saline group (p<0.05). Regeneration of kidney tubular cells and significantly enlarged convoluted tubules were noted in the pathology study of the FF group.In conclusion, the present study suggests that FF prevents nephrotoxicity, improves kidney function and promotes kidney primary epithelial tubular cell regeneration.     

(‐)‐Hydroxycitric Acid Nourishes Protein Synthesis via Altering Metabolic Directions of Amino Acids in Male Rats

(‐)‐Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), a major active ingredient of Garcinia Cambogia extracts, had shown to suppress body weight gain and fat accumulation in animals and humans. While, the underlying mechanism of (‐)‐HCA has not fully understood. Thus, this study was aimed to investigate the effects of long‐term supplement with (‐)‐HCA on body weight gain and variances of amino acid content in rats. Results showed that (‐)‐HCA treatment reduced body weight gain and increased feed conversion ratio in rats. The content of hepatic glycogen, muscle glycogen, and serum T₄, T₃, insulin, and Leptin were increased in (‐)‐HCA treatment groups. Protein content in liver and muscle were significantly increased in (‐)‐HCA treatment groups. Amino acid profile analysis indicated that most of amino acid contents in serum and liver, especially aromatic amino acid and branched amino acid, were higher in (‐)‐HCA treatment groups. However, most of the amino acid contents in muscle, especially aromatic amino acid and branched amino acid, were reduced in (‐)‐HCA treatment groups. These results indicated that (‐)‐HCA treatment could reduce body weight gain through promoting energy expenditure via regulation of thyroid hormone levels. In addition, (‐)‐HCA treatment could promote protein synthesis by altering the metabolic directions of amino acids. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Treatment of Non‐alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease with Curcumin: A Randomized Placebo‐controlled Trial

Non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a global health problem. Although many aspects of NAFLD pathogenesis have been understood, there is a paucity of effective treatments to be used as the second line when lifestyle modification is insufficient. Curcumin, a natural polyphenol from turmeric, has been shown to be effective against development of hepatic steatosis and its progression to steatohepatitis, yet these beneficial effects have not been explored in clinical practice. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of curcumin on hepatic fat content as well as biochemical and anthropometric features of patients with NAFLD. In this randomized double‐blind placebo‐controlled trial, patients with ultrasonographic evidence of NAFLD were randomly assigned to receive an amorphous dispersion curcumin formulation (500 mg/day equivalent to 70‐mg curcumin) or matched placebo for a period of 8 weeks. Liver fat content (assessed through ultrasonography), glycemic and lipid profile, transaminase levels, and anthropometric indices were evaluated at baseline and at the end of follow‐up period. The clinical trial protocol was registered under the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials ID: IRCT2014110511763N18. Compared with placebo, curcumin was associated with a significant reduction in liver fat content (78.9% improvement in the curcumin vs 27.5% improvement in the placebo group). There were also significant reductions in body mass index and serum levels of total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, glucose, and glycated hemoglobin compared with the placebo group. Curcumin was safe and well tolerated during the course of trial. Findings of the present proof‐of‐concept trial suggested improvement of different features of NAFLD after a short‐term supplementation with curcumin. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The efficacy of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (silymarin) in the treatment of type II diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial

Oxidative stresses are increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications which may either cause direct pancreatic beta-cell damage or lead to metabolic abnormalities that can induce or aggravate diabetes. The valuable effect of antioxidant nutrients on the glycemic control of diabetic patients has been reported in experimental and clinical studies. The present study was designed to investigate the effects of the herbal medicine, Silybum marianum seed extract (silymarin), which is known to have antioxidant properties on the glycemic profile in diabetic patients. A 4-month randomized double-blind clinical trial was conducted in 51 type II diabetic patients in two well-matched groups. The first group (n = 25) received a silymarin (200 mg) tablet 3 times a day plus conventional therapy. The second group (n = 26) received the same therapy but a placebo tablet instead of silymarin. The patients were visited monthly and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA(1)c), fasting blood glucose (FBS), insulin, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL, triglyceride, SGOT and SGPT levels were determined at the beginning and the end of the study. The results showed a significant decrease in HbA(1)c, FBS, total cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride SGOT and SGPT levels in silymarin treated patients compared with placebo as well as with values at the beginning of the study in each group. In conclusion, silymarin treatment in type II diabetic patients for 4 months has a beneficial effect on improving the glycemic profile.     

双参胶囊辅助降血糖人体试食试验研究

目的：证明威门牌双参胶囊具有辅助降血糖的作用。方法：采用自身对照及组间对照法,将100例高血糖试食者随机分为试食组和对照组,每组50例,观察期间原服用降糖药物品种和剂量不变,试食组加食威门牌双参胶囊,对照组加食安慰剂。结果：威门牌双参胶囊能明显降低非胰岛素依赖型（Ⅱ型）糖尿病患者的空腹血糖和餐后血糖水平,改善多饮、多食、乏力症状。结论：威门牌双参胶囊具有辅助降低血糖的作用。     

培多普利和吲哒帕胺对脑血管病患者长期疗效的前瞻性研究

目的观察培哚普利或加吲哒帕胺降压治疗对脑血管病患者的长期疗效。方法 151例脑血管病(脑卒中、短暂脑缺血发作(TIA))患者随机双盲接受培哚普利或加吲哒帕胺治疗,为期4.5 a。停止双盲治疗后继续随访1 a。重点观察脑卒中发病情况。结果治疗组血压明显降低,与安慰剂组比较有极显著性差异且持续至治疗结束;停止双盲治疗后1a,2组血压比较有显著差异。在4.5 a治疗期中,治疗组脑卒中发病率显著低于安慰剂组(P0.05)。停止双盲治疗后1 a,治疗组脑卒中仍较少。全研究期5.5 a中治疗组脑卒中发病率显著低于安慰剂组(P0.01)。在4.5 a和5.5 a中,治疗组的卒中危险性分别下降61%和62%。结论培哚普利或加吲哒帕胺长期治疗能使脑血管病患者的脑卒中发病率显著降低,且治疗停止1 a后,仍有防治脑血管病的延长效应。