Differential effects of a combination of Hibiscus sabdariffa and Lippia citriodora polyphenols in overweight/obese subjects: A randomized controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effects of a polyphenolic extract combination (Lippia citriodora and Hibiscus sabdariffa) on obesity-related metabolic disturbances in overweight/obese subjects.
Results Summary
The LC-HS supplement significantly improved body weight, abdominal circumference, body fat percentage, heart rate, and systolic blood pressure in overweight subjects, with more modest effects in obese subjects. It also reduced lipid content and increased AMPK activity in adipocyte cells.
Population
56 obese/overweight subjects
Effective Dosage
500 mg/day (combination of Lippia citriodora and Hibiscus sabdariffa extracts)
Duration
2 months
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
a dietary supplement containing 500 mg of a combination of polyphenolic extracts from Lippia citriodora L. and Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (LC-HS) | decrease | body weight | 56 obese/overweight subjects | - | showed significant improvements | #1 |
a dietary supplement containing 500 mg of a combination of polyphenolic extracts from Lippia citriodora L. and Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (LC-HS) | decrease | abdominal circumference | overweight subjects | -6.79 ± 0.80 cm in overweight LC-HS group vs -1.85 ± 0.83 cm in controls | showed significant improvements | #2 |
a dietary supplement containing 500 mg of a combination of polyphenolic extracts from Lippia citriodora L. and Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (LC-HS) | decrease | body fat % | overweight subjects | -1.33 ± 0.15% in overweight LC-HS group vs -0.66 ± 0.17% in controls | showed significant improvements | #3 |
a dietary supplement containing 500 mg of a combination of polyphenolic extracts from Lippia citriodora L. and Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (LC-HS) | decrease | heart rate | overweight LC-HS participants | - | presented significant improvements | #4 |
a dietary supplement containing 500 mg of a combination of polyphenolic extracts from Lippia citriodora L. and Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (LC-HS) | decrease | systolic blood pressure | overweight LC-HS participants | - | presented significant improvements | #5 |
LC-HS extract | decrease | lipid content | a hypertrophied adipocyte cell model | - | significantly reduced | #6 |
LC-HS extract | increase | AMPK activity | a hypertrophied adipocyte cell model | - | increased | #7 |
consumption of 500 mg/day of LC-HS extracts enriched in polyphenols for two months in the context of an isocaloric diet | decrease | symptoms associated to obesity-related diseases | overweight subjects | - | decreased | #8 |
Plant-polyphenols have shown the capacity to ameliorate obesity-induced metabolic disturbances, both in cell and animal models, where most therapeutic approaches have failed. On the basis of previous research, a dietary supplement containing 500 mg of a combination of polyphenolic extracts from Lippia citriodora L. and Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (LC-HS), in the context of an equilibrated isocaloric diet, was evaluated in a double blind, placebo-controlled and randomized trial in 56 obese/overweight subjects for two months. Compared to controls, the consumption of the LC-HS polyphenols showed significant improvements in body weight, abdominal circumference of overweight subjects (-6.79 ± 0.80 cm in overweight LC-HS group vs -1.85 ± 0.83 cm in controls, p < 0.001) and body fat % (-1.33 ± 0.15% in overweight LC-HS group vs -0.66 ± 0.17% in controls, p < 0.05). Heart rate and systolic blood pressure also presented significant improvements in overweight LC-HS participants. However, changes were more modest in obese subjects. Further, LC-HS extract significantly reduced lipid content and increased AMPK activity in a hypertrophied adipocyte cell model. Therefore, consumption of 500 mg/day of LC-HS extracts enriched in polyphenols for two months in the context of an isocaloric diet by overweight subjects decreased symptoms associated to obesity-related diseases. Modulation of fat metabolism in adipose tissue, probably mediated by AMPK activation, is proposed as a molecular target to be explored in future research.