Anyone who needs or wants to lose five or 100 pounds would love to find the holy grail for weight loss—the magic pill that makes fat melt off without effort. Such a pill does not, of course, exist—and likely never will. Why? Because losing weight isn’t a function of solving a single problem. The fact is, there is more at work here than simply choosing to eat less. Research suggests that the increasing prevalence of obesity is a reflection of genes that favor the storage of excess body fat, together with an environment where plenty of food is readily available and lifestyles that are increasingly sedentary. The more than 80 percent incidence of weight regain after initial weight loss1 is due to the coordinated actions of body systems’ (i.e., metabolic, behavioral, neuroendocrine and autonomic) responses designed to maintain high levels of body fat.

This article will begin by discussing some biochemical aspects of the weight loss challenge—as well as the association with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular health—and how an herbal medicine known as Dichrostachys glomerate (D. glomerata) can help.

Adipokines: Leptin and Adiponectin

Adipocytokines, or adipokines, are cell signaling proteins secreted by adipocytes (fat cells). In 1994, leptin was the first adipokine discovered. Leptin is a satiety hormone that helps to regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger.2 Later, adiponectin was discovered. Adiponectin is involved in regulating glucose levels, as well as fatty acid breakdown.3 Furthermore, adiponectin has been shown to correlate negatively with BMI (body mass index) and positively with insulin sensitivity and its high levels are associated with a lower risk for developing type 2 diabetes.4 Many other adipokines, which play other roles, have also been discovered.5 The multiple body systems that regulate the storage of body fat and oppose the maintenance of a reduced body weight illustrate the difficulty in losing weight and keeping it off.6 Dichrostachys glomerata Background

D. glomerata is a deciduous tree found growing in the jungles and forest of Senegal to Western Cameroon, and extending across Africa to Sudan, Uganda and Zai’re. It is also found in Asia and Australia.7 D. glomerata grows fruit and seeds that are edible. In fact, the dried fruit pods which are commonly used as spices in a traditional soup of the western provinces of Cameroon called ‘‘Nah po,’’ eaten along with taro.8 In traditional medicine of these regions, the bark has been used to alleviate headache, toothache, dysentery and elephantiasis, and the root infusions have been used to treat leprosy, syphilis, coughs and, as an anthelmintic, purgative and strong diuretic. The leaves are said to be particularly useful and can be eaten to treat epilepsy and taken as a diuretic and laxative. Its powder is even used in the massage of fractures.9

More than four decades ago, D. glomerata was reported to have hypotensive (blood pressure lowering) properties,10 and laboratory studies have shown that the fruits had in-vitro and in-vivo antioxidant activity along with LDL oxidation inhibiting property.11,12 Studies in diabetic rats showed the ability of DG to reduce fasting blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels in experimental diabetic rats.13

Now, let’s take a look at more specific research demonstrating the effectiveness of D. glomerata for weight loss, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular health.

Clinical Research on D. glomerata

An eight-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial14 was conducted with 297 obese men and women (BMI 30-40) between 24 and 58 years. Participants were randomly given capsules containing 200 mg capsules of either D. glomerata extract (Dyglomera, Tiea Zehnbauer of Gatway Health Alliances, Inc.) or placebo before lunch and dinner. Various measurements were taken at baseline and after four and eight weeks of treatment. These included biochemical (blood glucose, lipid profile, pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic markers), anthropometric and hemodynamic parameters. Results showed that, at the end of the study, the Dyglomera group showed statistically significant differences in all 16 parameters compared to baseline values. Changes in weight, body fat with waist and hip circumference (see bar graph) were accompanied by changes in biochemical parameters, including glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, adiponectin and C-reactive protein (see second bar graph). In addition, systolic and diastolic blood pressure decreased by about 17 percent and 12 percent, respectively, in the Dyglomera group. The results confirm the hypothesis that Dyglomera, the hydroethanolic extract of DG, has anti-inflammatory properties, and is effective in reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome in obese human subjects.

In the previous study, D. glomerata extract was shown to have significant beneficial effects on body weight and other parameters when given in 200 mg capsules twice daily before lunch and dinner. In this eight-week randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study,15 a single daily dose of the following nutraceuticals was given to 48 overweight (BMI 26 – 30) participants (27 females and 19 males), divided into three groups: 300 mg D. glomerata extract (Dyglomera), 300 mg Irvingia gabonensis, or placebo. The nutraceuticals were given before the main meal of the day, and participants had no major dietary changes or changes in physical activity during the study. Weight and blood lipid parameters were measured at baseline, and at the four- and eight-weeks interval. The results were that, compared to the placebo group, there were significant (p<0.05) the lipid parameters in the test groups at four weeks, and significant (p<0.05) reductions in weight of participants in both test groups over the eight-week period. This includes a reduction in body weight and BMI by almost 9 percent. The third bar graph shows all of the changes compared to placebo.

In an earlier eight-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study,16 obese and obese/diabetic participants (20 males, 72 females, ages 25–65) were randomly divided into four groups: two non-diabetic obese groups (active; placebo) and two type 2 diabetic obese groups (active; placebo). Capsules containing the active (400 mg DG) or placebo formulation were administered 30 to 60 min before lunch and dinner throughout the study period. The capsules were prepared from dried D. glomerate pods that were ground into a powder. The later studies (described previously) used an extract of D. glomerate, so a lower dose could be used. In this study, a total of seven anthropometric and hemodynamic as well as seven biochemical measurements were taken at the beginning of the study and after four and eight weeks of treatment. All diabetic patients maintained their prior lifestyle intervention and dietary control for the duration of the study. Compared to the two placebo groups, the two active groups showed statistically significant differences on all 14 variables between Weeks 0 and 8. These included body weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference, body fat, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, and glycosylated hemoglobulin. The results confirm the hypothesis that D. glomerata appears to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors in obese non-diabetic and obese type 2 diabetic human subjects.

A similar eight-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study,17 using the same 400 mg D. glomerata capsules or placebo were administered twice daily throughout the study period to two non-diabetic and two diabetic obese random groups. Result showed plasma phenolic content as well as the reduced glutathione level, ascorbate concentration, FRAP value (a measure of antioxidant activity) and enzymatic antioxidant activities increased significantly along with a reduction of MDA (a measure of oxidation) after eight weeks compared to placebo (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

D. glomerata is used as a traditional herbal medicine from Africa to Sudan, as well as Asia and Australia. D. glomerata was reported to have hypotensive and antioxidant activity. Human clinical research has demonstrated that an extract of D. glomerata (Dyglomera) successfully reduced weight, body fat, waist and hip circumference, as well as improving glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, adiponectin, C-reactive protein and blood pressure levels. As such, D. glomerata extract holds promise for reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome and diabetes, as well as reducing body weight in obese subjects. VR

References

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3 Maeda K, Okubo K, Shimomura I, Funahashi T, Matsuzawa Y, Matsubara K. cDNA cloning and expression of a novel adipose specific collagen-like factor, apM1 (AdiPose Most abundant Gene transcript 1). Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1996 Apr 16;221(2):286-9.

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7 Mbuya LP. Useful trees and shrubs for Tanzania: Identification, propagation and management for agricultural and pastoral communities. Regional Soil Conservation Unit (RSCU), Swedish International Development Authority (SIDA). 1994.

8 Tchie´gang C, Mbougueng PD. Chemical composition of spices used in the cooking of Nah poh and Nkuiof western cameroon. Tropicultura. 2005; 23(4), 193–200. (in French).

9 Kuate D, Etoundi BCO, Soukontoua YB, et al. Antioxidant characteristics of Dichrostachys glomerata spice extracts Características antioxidantes de los extractos de la especial Dichrostachys glomerata. J Food. 2010;8(1):23-37.

10 Roth LW, Keller F. Dichrostachys glomerata hypotensive agent. US Patent 3, 089, 817. 1963.

11 Etoundi C.B., Kuaté D., Ngondi J.L., *Oben J. Anti-amylase, anti-lipase and antioxidant effects of aqueous extracts of some Cameroonian spices. Journal of Natural Products, Vol. 3(2010):165-171.

12 Kuate D, Kengne APN, Dakam W, et al. Effectiveness of Dichrostachys glomerata Spice Phenolics in Reduction of Oxidative Stress Associated with Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes; a Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. J Food Res. 2013; 2(2). doi:10.5539/jfr.v2n2p1.

13 Kuate D. Effects of some spices on glucose and lipid metabolism and oxidative stress (PhD thesis). University of Yaounde. 2010.

14 Kuate D, Etoundi BC, Ngondi JL, et al. Anti-inflammatory, anthropometric and lipomodulatory effects Dyglomera (hydroethanolic extract of Dichrostachys glomerata) in obese patients with metabolic syndrome. Functional Foods in Health and Disease 2013; 3(11):416-427.

15 Azantsa B, Kuate D, Chakokam R, et al. The effect of extracts of Irvingia gabonensis (IGOB131) and Dichrostachys glomerata (Dyglomera) on body weight and lipid parameters of healthy overweight participants. Functional Foods in Health and Disease 2015; 5(6):200-208.

16 Kuate D, Etoundi BC, Ngondi JL, Oben JE. Effects of Dichrostachys glomerata spice on cardiovascular diseases risk factors in normoglycemic and type 2 diabetic obese volunteers. Food Research International. 2011; 44: 1197–1202.

17 Kuate D, Kengne APN, Dakam W, et al. Effectiveness of Dichrostachys glomerata Spice Phenolics in Reduction of Oxidative Stress Associated with Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes; a Randomized, Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Journal of Food Research. 2013; 2(2): doi:10.5539/jfr.v2n2p1.

Gene Bruno, MS, MHS, the dean of academics for Huntington University of Health Sciences, is a nutritionist, herbalist, writer and educator. For more than 30 years he has educated and trained natural product retailers and health care professionals, has researched and formulated natural products for dozens of dietary supplement companies, and has written articles on nutrition, herbal medicine, nutraceuticals and integrative health issues for trade, consumer magazines and peer-reviewed publications. He can be reached at [email protected].