The effect of an orally-dosed Caralluma Fimbriata extract on appetite control and body composition in overweight adults

Sci Rep. 2021 Mar 24;11(1):6791. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-86108-2.

Abstract

To examine the effect of a Caralluma Fimbriata extract (CFE) on biomarkers of satiety and body composition in overweight adults. A double-blind, randomised, placebo controlled trial to examine the effect of a Caralluma Fimbriata extract (CFE) on biomarkers of satiety and body composition in overweight adults. Eighty-three men and women aged between 20 and 50 years of age completed 16 weeks of daily supplementation with either CFE or placebo. Plasma cardiometabolic (lipid profile, glucose, insulin) and satiety (ghrelin, leptin, neuropeptideY) biomarkers, body composition, diet history and gastrointenstinal function were assessed at baseline, weeks 4, 8, 12 and 16. Subjects in the CFE and placebo groups were well matched and predominatly female 93% and 87.5%, with a mean age of 40.9 ± 6.7 and 39.5 ± 7.5 years and body mass index (BMI) of 30.0 ± 3.1 and 30.2 ± 2.9 kg/m2 respectively. There was a significant difference in plasma leptin concentration change between groups at week 16 (p = 0.04), with the placebo group increasing concentration (2.27 ± 4.80 ng/mL) while the CFE group (0.05 ± 4.69 ng/mL) remained the same. At week 16, the CFE group had significantly reduced their calorie intake from baseline compared to the placebo group (245 cal vs 15.8 cal respectively p < 0.01). The CFE group also had a significant reduction in waist circumference of 2.7 cm compared to an increase of 0.3 cm in the placebo group (p = 0.02). A weight increase from baseline was seen in the placebo group that was not observed in the CFE group (1.33 kg weight gain vs 0.37 kg weight loss respectively; p = 0.03). The placebo group also had a significant increase in fat mass, android fat mass, BMI and leptin compared to the CFE group (p = 0.04, 0.02, < 0.01 respectively). CFE was effective at maintaining bodyweight during a non-calorie controlled diet compared to a placebo. The mechanism responsible for this action is requiring further research and could be due to an increase in satiety receptor sensitivity.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Apocynaceae / chemistry*
  • Apocynaceae / metabolism
  • Appetite Depressants / chemistry
  • Appetite Depressants / pharmacology
  • Appetite Depressants / therapeutic use*
  • Appetite Regulation / drug effects*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Body Mass Index
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Energy Intake / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Leptin / blood
  • Middle Aged
  • Overweight / diet therapy*
  • Overweight / pathology
  • Placebo Effect
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Waist Circumference / drug effects
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Appetite Depressants
  • Biomarkers
  • Leptin
  • Plant Extracts