Efficacy and Tolerability of Merastin -a Novel Herbal Formulation for Weight Management: A Randomized Double Blind Placebo Controlled Clinical Study

Abstract

We investigated the efficacy and tolerability of a synergistic formulation (Merastin) comprising the extracts of Sphaeranthus indicus and Garcinia mangostana for weight management in obese human subjects. Sixty obese subjects (37.5% male; 62.6% female; ages 22–50 years) with BMI of 30 to 40 were included in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study for 8 weeks. Subjects received either 400 mg Merastin twice daily or placebo capsules. All subjected followed a calorie-controlled diet (2000 Kcal/day) and a regimen of 30 min walking exercise (5 days a week) for 8 weeks. At the end of the trial, significant net reductions in body weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences were observed in the Merastin-supplemented group. Reduction in blood cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and LDL/HDL ratio were also found in subjects supplemented with Merastin.

Full text

Efficacy and Tolerability of Merastin - a Novel
Herbal Formulation for Weight Management: A
Randomized Double Blind Placebo Controlled
Clinical Study
Debasis Bagchi
1,2
, Francis C Lau
1
, Trimurtulu Golakoti
3
, Alluru V Krishnaraju
3
and Krishanu Sengupta
3
1 Research and Development, InterHealth Nutraceuticals, Benicia, CA
2 Pharmacological & Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Houston, College of Pharmacy, Houston, TX
3 Research and Development, Laila Nutraceuticals, Vijayawada, India
We investigated the efficacy and tolerability of a synergistic formulation (Merastin) comprising the
extracts of Sphaeranthus indicus and Garcinia mangostana for weight management in obese human
subjects. Sixty obese subjects (37.5% male; 62.6% female; ages 22–50 years) with BMI of 30 to 40
were included in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study for 8 weeks. Subjects
received either 400 mg Merastin twice daily or placebo capsules. All subjected followed a calorie-
controlled diet (2000 Kcal/day) and a regimen of 30 min walking exercise (5 days a week) for 8
weeks. At the end of the trial, significant net reductions in body weight, BMI, waist and hip
circumferences were observed in the Merastin-supplemented group. Reduction in blood cholesterol,
triglycerides, glucose and LDL/HDL ratio were also found in subjects supplemented with Merastin.
The reductions in serum cholesterol and triglycerides were statistically significant in Merastin-
supplemented subjects. Merastin also modulated serum adipokines such as adiponectin and
Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) levels. The reduction of PAI-1 in Merastin-supplemented
group was significant when compared to placebo. No major adverse events were reported by the
participants during the study duration. Therefore, Merastin provided effective and safe approach to
weight management.
!
April 9-13, 2011!
Washington DC
!
FASEB!J!2011!25:601.9!