Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of Powdered Brassica rapa Ethanol Extract on Alteration of Body Composition and Plasma Lipid and Adipocytokine Profiles in Overweight Subjects

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of Brassica rapa ethanol extract (BREE) on body composition and plasma lipid profiles through a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled trial in overweight subjects. Fifty-eight overweight participants (age 20-50 years, body mass index23.0-24.9) were randomly assigned to two groups and served BREE (2 g/day) or placebo (starch, 2 g/day) for 10 weeks. Body compositions, nutrients intake, plasma lipids, adipocytokines, and hepatotoxicity biomarkers were assessed in all subjects at baseline and after 10 weeks of supplementation. The plasma total cholesterol (total-C) concentration was significantly increased after 10 weeks compared to the baseline in both groups. However, BREE supplementation significantly increased the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration and significantly reduced the total-C/HDL-C ratio, free fatty acid, and adipsin levels after 10 weeks. No significant differences were observed in body compositions, fasting blood glucose, plasma adipocytokines except adipsin, and aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities between before and after trial within groups as well as between the two groups. The supplementation of BREE partially improves plasma lipid metabolism in overweight subjects without adverse effects.

Effectiveness of herbal medicines for weight loss: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…Safety data were collected in all trials, including reports on adverse events (100%), liver function tests, renal function tests and serum biochemistry, with no differences from placebo reported. Ten trials reported on treatment‐related adverse events, and none were evident.…”

Bioactive Compounds in Brassicaceae Vegetables with a Role in the Prevention of Chronic Diseases

“…The Mediterranean diet, which is characterized by a high consumption of plant-based foods, has been associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases and mortality in different epidemiological studies. In the last few years, several studies, both in vitro and in vivo, have focused on the effects of Brassicaceae on chronic diseases and on the bioactive compounds of these plants that may be responsible for the observed effects [ 7 , 8 ] ( Figure 1 ). It has been discussed that the known healthy effects of Brassicaceae may be related to the presence of several bioactive compounds in the edible parts, such as ascorbic acid (AsA), phenolics, carotenoids, and glucosinolates, as summarized in Table 1 [ 9 , 10 ].…”

“…In the last few years, several studies both in vitro and in vivo have been carried out on the effects of Brassicaceae on chronic diseases [ 7 , 8 ]. By using an obese mouse model, a study demonstrated that the exposure of mice to ethanolic extracts from Brassica rapa resulted in the expression of lipolysis-related genes in white adipocytes, in the activation of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, and in the induction of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, suggesting that Brassicaceae extracts may be used as safe and effective anti-obesity agents [ 11 ].…”

“…In another in vivo study, extracts from Brassica rapa were used for 10 weeks as a part of the diet of overweight human subjects. At the end of the experiment, a significant increase in the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HLDL-cholesterol) concentration and a significant reduction in the total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol ratio, free fatty acid, and adipsin levels were measured [ 7 ]. Also, Shah et al [ 8 ] used extracts from Brassica oleracea leaves to analyze its anti-diabetic effect on rats.…”

Long-term treatment with acylated analogues of apelin-13 amide ameliorates diabetes and improves lipid profile of high-fat fed mice

“…Visceral obesity is the most common risk factor associated with of T2DM and other chronic diseases, including atherosclerosis, arterial hypertension [ 12 ]. The modern Western diet coupled with a sedentary lifestyle has led to a pandemic of obesity which is now a severe public health issue [ 13 , 14 ]. Pharmaceutical agents with dual actions to correct hyperglycemia and promote weight are few and far between with only GLP-1 receptor agonists proving to be effective [ 15 , 16 ].…”