Differential effects of a combination of Hibiscus sabdariffa and Lippia citriodora polyphenols in overweight/obese subjects: A randomized controlled trial

Sci Rep. 2019 Feb 28;9(1):2999. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-39159-5.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • 3T3 Cells
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases
  • Adipocytes / drug effects
  • Adipocytes / metabolism
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Animals
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Blood Pressure
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Drug Combinations
  • Female
  • Heart Rate
  • Hibiscus / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Lipid Metabolism
  • Lippia / chemistry*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / drug therapy*
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Polyphenols / administration & dosage
  • Polyphenols / pharmacology
  • Polyphenols / therapeutic use*
  • Protein Kinases / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Obesity Agents
  • Drug Combinations
  • Plant Extracts
  • Polyphenols
  • Protein Kinases
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases