Antiobesity effect of Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract (actiponin): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Obesity (Silver Spring). 2014 Jan;22(1):63-71. doi: 10.1002/oby.20539. Epub 2013 Sep 5.

Abstract

Objective: The effects of actiponin was investigated, a heat-processed Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract, on body weight, fat loss, and metabolic markers of Korean participants in a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Design and methods: Obese participants (BMI ≥ 25 kg m(-2) and WHR ≥ 0.90 for male or WHR ≥ 0.85 for female) who had not been diagnosed with any disease and met the inclusion criteria were recruited for this study. The 80 subjects were randomly divided into actiponin (n = 40, 450 mg day(-1) ) and placebo (n = 40) groups. Outcomes included measurement of efficacy (abdominal fat distribution, anthropometric parameters, and blood lipid profiles) and safety (adverse events, laboratory test results, electrocardiogram data, and vital signs).

Results: During 12-week of actiponin supplementation, total abdominal fat area, body weight, body fat mass, percent body fat, and BMI were significantly decreased (P = 0.044, P < 0.05, P < 0.0001, P < 0.0001, and P < 0.05, respectively) in the actiponin group compared to the placebo group. No clinically significant changes in any safety parameter were observed.

Conclusion: Our study revealed that actiponin is a potent antiobesity reagent that does not produce any significant adverse effects. These results suggest that actiponin supplementation may be effective for treating obese individuals.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Fat / physiology
  • Adult
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Body Fat Distribution
  • Body Mass Index
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Gynostemma / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nutrition Assessment
  • Obesity / blood
  • Obesity / drug therapy*
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • Anti-Obesity Agents
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Plant Extracts
  • Triglycerides
  • gypenoside