The use of Caralluma fimbriata as an appetite suppressant and weight loss supplement: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials

Background Obesity prevalence has increased during the past few decades, causing a pandemic with an influx in other co-morbidities. Many factors influence weight gain in an obesogenic environment therefore strategies for treating obesity may vary from conventional dietary and physical activity interventions to pharamacotherapy. A shift in unconventional strategies as herbal products for treating obesity have been investigated and one such plant extract is Caralluma fimbriata (C. fimbriata). Further, the studies included were systematically reviewed to gather evidence on potential effects of C. fimbriata as an appetite suppressant and weight loss supplement. Methods A systematic review of clinical trials reporting the effects of C. fimbriata as appetite suppression and anti-obesity supplement was reported according to PRISMA guidelines. Data were obtained by searching three databases: PubMed®, Web of Science® and SciVerse Scopus® for studies published until 30th April 2020. Results A total of 7 articles studying C. fimbriata satisfied the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were sourced from various countries including Australia (3), Cuba (1), India (2) and Spain (1). Almost all studies recruited adults who were overweight or obese with a BMI > 25 kg/m2 (n = 5), with the exception of two studies, one that recruited healthy adults with a BMI average of 26.5 kg/m2 and the second one utilised a population of children and adolescents with Prader-Willis Syndrome (PWS). Parameters assessing obesity, biochemical and appetite factors were analysed by carrying out a meta-analysis. Compared to placebo controlled group, C. fimbriata extract significantly reduced WC by 1.59 cm (95% CI, − 3.07 to − 0.10, p = 0.041) and WHR by 0.06 (95% CI, − 0.12 to − 0.01, p = 0.05) although no significant effects were seen on BW, BMI and HC. Biochemical and appetite parameters outcome on C. fimbriata consumption had no significant changes. Any side effects of individuals who ingested the extract were reported by few studies of which most common effects were constipation, diarrhoea, nausea and rashes. Conclusion Appetite parameters showed no significant changes and metabolic parameters did not improve with C.fimbriata supplementation therefore it is unlikely to recommend C. fimbriata as a weight loss supplement and an appetite suppressant.

The Vaporization Enthalpy and Vapor Pressure of (±) N-Ethyl Amphetamine by Correlation Gas Chromatography

The vaporization enthalpy, and vapor pressure as a function of temperature of N-ethylamphetamine, a substance used in the 1950s as an appetite suppressant and more currently abused as a designer drug, is reported. Its physical properties are compared to those of S (+)-N-methamphetamine, a substance whose physiological properties it mimics. A vaporization enthalpy of (62.4 ± 4.4) kJ·mol−1 and vapor pressure of (19 ± 11) Pa at T = 298.15 K has been evaluated by correlation gas chromatography. Results are compared to estimated values and to the limited amount of experimental property data available.

The Appetite−Suppressant and GLP-1-Stimulating Effects of Whey Proteins in Obese Subjects are Associated with Increased Circulating Levels of Specific Amino Acids

The satiating effect of whey proteins depends upon their unique amino acid composition because there is no difference when comparing whey proteins or a mix of amino acids mimicking the amino acid composition of whey proteins. The specific amino acids underlying the satiating effect of whey proteins have not been investigated to date. Aims and Methods. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the appetite-suppressant effect of an isocaloric drink containing whey proteins or maltodextrins on appetite (satiety/hunger measured by a visual analogue scale or VAS), anorexigenic gastrointestinal peptides (circulating levels of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY)) and amino acids (circulating levels of single, total [TAA] and branched-chain amino acids [BCAA]) in a cohort of obese female subjects (n = 8; age: 18.4 ± 3.1 years; body mass index, BMI: 39.2 ± 4.6 kg/m2). Results. Each drink significantly increased satiety and decreased hunger, the effects being more evident with whey proteins than maltodextrins. Similarly, circulating levels of GLP-1, PYY and amino acids (TAA, BCAA and alanine, arginine, asparagine, citrulline, glutamine, hydroxyproline, isoleucine, histidine, leucine, lysine, methionine, ornithine, phenylalanine, proline, serine, threonine, tyrosine, and valine) were significantly higher with whey proteins than maltodextrins. In subjects administered whey proteins (but not maltodextrins), isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, tyrosine, and valine were significantly correlated with hunger (negatively), satiety, and GLP-1 (positively). Conclusions. Eight specific amino acids (isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, proline, tyrosine, and valine) were implicated in the appetite-suppressant and GLP-1-stimulating effects of whey proteins, which may be mediated by their binding with nutrient-sensing receptors expressed by L cells within the gastrointestinal wall. The long-term satiating effect of whey proteins and the effectiveness of a supplementation with these amino acids (i.e., as a nutraceutical intervention) administered during body weight reduction programs need to be further investigated.

Evaluation of Molecularly Imprinted Thin Films for Ephedrine Recognition

Ephedrine is an illicit drug, classified as precursor for methamphetamine, which is also used as stimulant, appetite suppressant, decongestant or asthma. In this study, novel molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) films were prepared by sol-gel derived techniques, using N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane as functional monomer, to recognize ephedrine from aqueous solutions. The films were obtained by air-spraying the precursor solutions, with various concentrations of monomer and template, on glass supports. Infrared, thermogravimetry, ellipsometry, optic and atomic force microscopy analyzes of films provided information regarding the effect of molecular imprinting upon the physical properties of films. Further on, batch rebinding evaluation indicated that thinner films present high affinity for ephedrine, resulting in 6.2 imprinting factor after 15 minutes of contact, which attests the ability of the novel MIP films to recognize and rebind ephedrine.

Effect of Smoking on Appetite, Concentration and Stress Level

Objective: Smokers often report that cigarette relieve feeling of stress, improve mood and concentration and can decrease their appetite level. To identify weather a cigarette is a mood altering and appetite suppressant we study the effect of smoking on concentration, stress and appetite level among smokers. Design: We examined if there is a relation between smoking and other variables (age, gender and working hours per week). Several data collected in the form of surveys from smokers and non-smokers and then analyzed using a software program SPSS. Main outcome: Results according to smoker's majority shows that cigarette decrease their stress level and it has been shown that it’s the most affected parameters compared to concentration and appetite level that are affected also by smoking. Results: The results of this study show that smoking is related to age and it is affected by the number of working hours. Participants aged between 14 and 35 years, that include students, unemployed and hard-workers smoke the most and have the highest number of cigarettes per week. Conclusion: Based on our study, smoking has an effect on appetite, concentration and stress that is correlated with working hours.

Appetite Reducing Herbal Drugs from the Perspective of Avicenna and Aghili in Iranian Traditional Medicine (Persian medicine)

: The increasing prevalence of obesity is one of the major problems of today's society. Man needs food to continue living, daily activities, and even the metabolism of food; and appetite plays an important role in receiving foods. Appetite and weight reducing synthetic drugs, which are mostly costly and have significant side effects, are recommended for some patients, and have limited effectiveness in the treatment of obesity. Given the epidemic of obesity and the lack of satisfaction with synthetic drugs these days, people are more likely to use herbal medicines. Complementary medicine has always been considered for the choice of new treatment. This medicine has a long history. Persian Medicine is one of the traditional medicine systems. : This study was a qualitative study on the Books of Canon and the Makhzan Al-Aladvia. : Saffron has been introduced in both modern medicine and in Iranian medicine to reduce appetite. : In the case of Purslane seed and Chio nut, Figs, Sesame seeds, Camphor, and Solomon's seal, and Opium poppy, which have been appetite suppressant in traditional medicine books, in the books and articles of modern medicine, they have not proved to be appetite reducing. Modern medicine has known Gourd as a weight reducing food with the effects on fat but there is no talk about its effects on appetite. According to traditional Iranian medicine, Chio nut causes anorexia due to weakness in the stomach. Therefore, it is not advisable for weight loss. More clinical studies are conducted to prove the effects of appetite suppressant and weight loss effects of these herbal medicines seem logical.

Pharmacogenetics of amfepramone in healthy Mexican subjects reveals potential markers for tailoring pharmacotherapy of obesity: results of a randomised trial

Amfepramone (AFP) is an appetite-suppressant drug used in the treatment of obesity. Nonetheless, studies on interindividual pharmacokinetic variability and its association with genetic variants are limited. We employed a pharmacokinetic and pharmacogenetic approach to determine possible metabolic phenotypes of AFP and identify genetic markers that could affect the pharmacokinetic variability in a Mexican population. A controlled, randomized, crossover, single-blind, two-treatment, two-period, and two sequence clinical study of AFP (a single 75 mg dose) was conducted in 36 healthy Mexican volunteers who fulfilled the study requirements. Amfepramone plasma levels were measured using high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Genotyping was performed using real-time PCR with TaqMan probes. Four AFP metabolizer phenotypes were found in our population: slow, normal, intermediate, and fast. Additionally, two gene polymorphisms, ABCB1-rs1045642 and CYP3A4-rs2242480, had a significant effect on AFP pharmacokinetics (P < 0.05) and were the predictor factors in a log-linear regression model. The ABCB1 and CYP3A4 gene polymorphisms were associated with a fast metabolizer phenotype. These results suggest that metabolism of AFP in the Mexican population is variable. In addition, the genetic variants ABCB1-rs1045642 and CYP3A4-rs2242480 may partially explain the AFP pharmacokinetic variability.