Aster spathulifolius Maxim extract reduces body weight and fat mass in obese humans

• Published in: Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) Vol. 36; no. 7; pp. 671 - 678
• Main Authors: Cho, In-Jin, Choung, Se Young, Hwang, You-Cheol, Ahn, Kyu Jeung, Chung, Ho Yeon, Jeong, In-Kyung
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.07.2016
• Subjects: Absorptiometry, Photon; Adult; animal models; Anti-Obesity Agents - pharmacology; Aster Plant - chemistry; Aster spathulifolius; Asteraceae; bioelectrical impedance; blood glucose; Blood Glucose - metabolism; Body Mass Index; Cholesterol - blood; clinical trials; computed tomography; Double-Blind Method; dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; Electric Impedance; fasting; fat body; Fat mass; Female; Gastroenterology and Hepatology; Glycated Hemoglobin A - metabolism; glycohemoglobin; Humans; Korean Peninsula; laboratory experimentation; lipids; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity; Obesity - drug therapy; placebos; Plant Extracts - pharmacology; Republic of Korea; Triglycerides - blood; Waist Circumference; Weight loss; Weight Loss - drug effects; Korea, Rep; Korean Peninsula; Aster spathulifolius; Obesity; AST; UCP; LDL-C; NS; Weight loss; ALT; DM; Fat mass; HDL-C; CT; ASE; TG; PPAR; DEXA; AMPK; CGA; FPG; Apo-B; HbA1c; BMI; alanine aminotransferase; uncoupling protein; chlorogenic acid; high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; Hb; United States Food and Drug Administration; body mass index; TSH; dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; fasting plasma glucose; apolipoprotein B; low-density lipoprotein cholesterol; diabetes mellitus; blood urea nitrogen; V/S ratio; AMP-activated protein kinase; hemoglobin; WBC; visceral to subcutaneous fat ratio; BUN; peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor; computed tomography; white blood cell; triglycerides; US FDA; aspartate aminotransferase; thyroid-stimulating hormone; Aster spathulifolius Maxim extract; not significant; hemoglobin A1c
• ISSN: 0271-5317; 1879-0739
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nutres.2016.03.001

Aster spathulifolius Maxim (AS), a perennial herb of the genus Aster within the family Asteraceae, induced weight loss in a rat model of diet-induced obesity. We hypothesized that AS could also reduce body weight in obese humans. Therefore, we performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in Korea to evaluate the effect of AS extract (ASE) on body weight and fat mass and its safety in obese humans. Forty-four obese participants (body mass index [BMI], 25-30 kg/m2) aged ≥20 years were randomly assigned to the placebo or ASE group (700 mg/d of ASE) and were instructed to take a once-daily pill for 12 weeks. Weight, BMI, waist circumference, fat mass (measured using bioimpedance, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and computed tomography), and laboratory tests were assessed at baseline and at 12 weeks. Body weight significantly decreased after 12 weeks of treatment in the ASE group (placebo vs ASE: −0.08 ± 2.11 kg vs −3.30 ± 3.15 kg, P < .05), and so did body fat mass (placebo vs ASE; bioimpedance method: −0.51 ± 1.89 kg vs −2.38 ± 2.30 kg, P < .05; dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry: 0.38 ± 1.59 kg vs −2.26 ± 2.37 kg, P < .05). Changes in lipid profiles, fasting plasma glucose, and hemoglobin A1c did not differ between the 2 groups. No drug-related adverse events were observed during the study. In conclusion, ASE significantly decreases body weight and fat mass in obese humans, suggesting that ASE may be a potential therapeutic candidate for reducing obesity.