Weight Loss in Animals and Humans Treated with “Weighlevel”, a Combination of Four Medicinal Plants Used in Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicine

Abstract

Weighlevel, a mixture of extract of four plants used in traditional Arabic and Islamic medicine as well as in European herbal medicine, was prepared and assessed for its safety and efficacy in weight loss. Leaves of Alchemilla vulgaris, Olea europaea and Mentha longifolia L., as well as seeds of Cuminum cyminum, were used. Cultured human fibroblasts treated with Weighlevel did not exhibit any sign of toxicity as evidenced by lactate dehydrogenase release. These results were confirmed in experimental studies on rats where an LD50 of 15.3 g kg−1 was observed. Significant antioxidant properties were seen at very low concentrations of Weighlevel (10 μg ml−1) as measured by the lipid peroxidation method. Progressive and significant weight loss was observed in chickens given this mixture weekly for 4 weeks compared with controls. Furthermore, a 3-fold increase in the thermogenesis was seen in rat interscapular brown adipose tissue following exposure to different concentrations of Weighlevel extract as determined by measurement of increased oxygen consumption. In addition, a clinical study was carried out among 80 human volunteers with a body mass index (BMI) of 30.67 ± 2.14 kg m−2. All 80 subjects were asked to continue their usual diet but to eat only three main meals daily and to take one Weighlevel tablet 30 min before each meal. Fourteen subjects were excluded for not following the protocol, and 66 subjects were all evaluated for efficacy and tolerability of Weighlevel monthly for 3 months. Weighlevel was well tolerated by all subjects, and no side effects were reported. A progressive and significant weight loss was seen in these subjects during the whole study period. Higher levels of weight loss were seen in people with BMI of 25–30 kg m−2 (overweight) compared to people with BMI >30 kg m−2 (obese). The BMI was reduced after 3 months from 28.5 ± 1.2 and 32.1 ± 1.8 kg m−2 to 24.5 ± 1.4 and 27.5 ± 2.2 kg m−2 in overweight and obese group, respectively. Results indicate safety, tolerability and efficacy of Weighlevel.

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of a Blend of Herbal Extracts Taken Once Per Day for Weight Loss in Healthy Volunteers

“…The herbal blend was also well tolerated and there were no safety concerns. This is in agreement with previous studies where the herbal blend was administered 3 times per day and produced weight loss of approximately 7% after 2 months of treatment and 10-13% weight loss after 3 months [10,11]. The weight loss observed with the once per day formulation was slightly lower than previously observed with the 3 times per day formulation.…”

“…The mechanism for weight loss with the herbal blend is hypothesized to be attributed to multiple effects including increased thermogenesis resulting in fat depletion, reduced blood glucose, and beneficial changes in digestion. Increased thermogenesis with the herbal blend has been demonstrated in Sprague-Dawley rats [11]. This is consistent with the reports of metabolic stimulation with extracts of Alchemilla vulgaris L. [16] and olive leaf [17].…”

“…We previously demonstrated that a blend of herbal extracts (Weighlevel®; a mixture of extracts from the leaves of Alchemilla vulgaris, Olea europaea, and Mentha longifolia and from the seeds of Cuminum cyminum) taken 3 times per day is effective in producing weight loss in both preclinical and clinical studies [10,11]. However, the rate of medication compliance tends to decrease as the number of daily doses increases.…”

Effect of Lion’s Foot (<i>Alchemilla vulgaris</i>) on Liver and Renal Functions in Rats Induced by CCl<sub>4</sub>

“…Higher concentrations did not substantially add to such properties. These observations show a very high therapeutic index [2]. Also, [3] reported that LD 50 for A. vulgaris leaves is 17.3 g/Kg.…”

Effects and mechanisms of auricular vagus nerve stimulation on high-fat-diet—induced obese rats

“…Increasing BAT activity is considered a new strategy for treating obesity. The clinical importance of BAT in combating obesity is noted because functional BAT has been demonstrated to be present in adults and an inverse correlation was observed between BAT activity and BMI [6,7]. Norepinephrine (NE) is considered an effective hormone in fat metabolism; it interacts with all three types of adrenergic receptors: b, a 2 and a 1 in the BAT [1].…”