Nitraria Retusa Extract Significantly Improves BMI and Triglyceride Levels in Overweight/Obese Women

by | Feb 22, 2024 | 2024, Blood Lipids, Botanicals, Obesity, Weight Control, Women's Health

Written by Taylor Woosley, Science Writer. Administration of 2000 mg of N. retusa extract once daily for 12 weeks resulted in a significant reduction in weight (p<0.001), BMI (p<0.001), and improvement in triglyceride levels (p=0.011) in overweight and obese female subjects compared to placebo. 

weight controlExcess body weight is a global health problem due to sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy dietary patterns, affecting 2 billion people worldwide1. The prevalence of obesity has increased substantially in the past 2 decades, reaching an epidemic level in the United States2. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines overweight as BMI >25 kg/m2 and obesity >30 kg/m2, and describes these conditions as abnormal fat accumulation that is associated with increased health risk3.

Nitraria retusa extract (NRE) has been researched for its significant biological and therapeutic activities, including antiproliferation, antihyperlipidemic, antitumor effects, and for the prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases4. Several reports show that the leaf extract of N. retusa contains high amounts of flavonoids, including different isomers of isorhamnetin, which are responsible for strong scavenging abilities5. Furthermore, it has been shown in animal models to regulate the expression of genes involved in lipolysis and lipogenesis, promoting lipid metabolism in the liver6.

Laouani et al. conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical pilot study to investigate the anti-obesity and hypolipidemic effects of prolonged daily intake of NRE in overweight or obese women. Subject inclusion consisted of overweight and obese females aged 20 to 75 years with a BMI >25 kg/m2. 68 women were assigned to either the NRE group (n=38) or the placebo group (n=30). The NRE group received sachets containing 2000 mg of NRE powder which contained 20 mg of flavonoids and 16 µg of isorhamnetin. The placebo group received sachets containing 2000 mg of an herbal mixture powder. Both groups consumed one sachet packet at night with dinner for a 12-week intervention.

Nutritional and clinical history information were collected at the screening visit. Additionally, anthropometric, biochemical, and hematological parameters were collected for all participants. At baseline and 12 weeks, fasted blood samples were obtained, and body composition parameters were measured. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding nutritional status and medical history at baseline and after the intervention. Primary study outcomes were the efficacy of NRE intake on weight loss. Secondary study outcomes include the improvement of anthropometric measurements of obese subjects, lipid profiles, body composition, and safety monitoring tests.

A total of 43 subjects completed the study (n=30 in NRE group, n=13 in placebo). No significant differences were noted between groups at baseline except for age, which was higher in the placebo group compared to the intervention group (p = 0.034). Around 74% of participants were obese and 26% were overweight. A paired t-test for normally distributed data and the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test for nonparametric data was utilized to compare within-group differences at baseline and after 12 weeks. Between-group differences were assessed using an independent sample t-test for parametric and equal variances and Welch’s t-test for unequal variances for normal data distribution. Significant findings of the study are as follows:

  • The NRE group experienced a significant weight reduction at the end of the intervention (p<0.001), whereas the placebo group experienced a slight increase in weight (p=0.83). Between-group comparisons show a significant weight loss (p < 0.001).
  • BMI was significantly decreased in the NRE group (p<0.001). The mean BMI loss between groups was significant (p=0.008). Only the intervention group had a significant percent body fat loss at the end of intervention (p=0.001).
  • NRE supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in triglyceride levels (p=0.011). Results remain significant even after age adjustment (p=0.016).

Results of the 12-week randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical pilot study show that NRE administration significantly improved body composition parameters and triglyceride levels in overweight and obese female subjects. Further research on the anti-obesity effects of N. retusa extract is necessary. Study limitations include the use of only overweight female subjects and the exclusion of overweight female subjects with other medical disorders.

Source: Laouani, Aicha, Hana Nasrallah, Awatef Sassi, Farhana Ferdousi, Feten Zar Kalai, Yosra Hasni, Hiroko Isoda, and Saad Saguem. “Antiobesity and Hypolipidemic Potential of Nitraria retusa Extract in Overweight/Obese Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study.” Nutrients 16, no. 2 (2024): 317.

© 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/
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Posted February 22, 2024.

Taylor Woosley studied biology at Purdue University before becoming a 2016 graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a major in Writing. She currently resides in Glen Ellyn, IL.

References:

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