ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Minerva Gastroenterologica e Dietologica 2020 September;66(3):211-8

DOI: 10.23736/S1121-421X.20.02669-0

Copyright © 2020 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Effects of Hoodia Parviflora on satiety, abdominal obesity and weight in a group of overweight subjects: a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled trial

Simone PERNA ¹, Vittoria INFANTINO ², Gabriella PERONI ³ ✉, Clara GASPARRI ³, Milena A. FALIVA ³, Maurizio NASO ³, Tariq A. ALALWAN ¹, Filippo BORSANI ⁴, Martina BERARDI ⁴, Zahra ILYAS ¹, Zahraa ALAALI ¹, Layla ALSOWAID ¹, Daniele SPADACCINI ³, Mariangela RONDANELLI ^{2, 5}

¹ Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Bahrain, Sakhir, Bahrain; ² Unit of Human and Clinical Nutrition, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; ³ Unit of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Azienda di Servizi alla Persona Istituto Santa Margherita, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy; ⁴ PromoPharma S.p.A. Acquaviva, San Marino, Italy; ⁵ IRCCS Mondino Foundation, Pavia, Italy

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the effects of supplementation with Hoodia Parviflora (H. Parviflora) at 9 mg+200 mg of fructo-oligosaccharides on weight loss, body composition, hydration and satiety parameters.
METHODS: A randomized blinded controlled trial was conducted in a sample of 30 overweight and obese patients (5 males and 25 females). Patients were randomly assigned in 2 groups: the intervention group, which received H. Parviflora twice a day for 4 weeks and the control group, which received a placebo.
RESULTS: After a 4-week follow-up period, the study results showed an improvement of Δ=-1.632 kg (Confidence Interval [CI]95% -2.545; -0.719) and a statistically significant decrease in waist circumference (WC) compared with the placebo group -2.080 cm ([CI]95% -4.082; -0.078). The visual analogue scale reported an improvement of satiety sensation after day 5 (P=0.001).
CONCLUSIONS: This study shows for the first time the simultaneous effect of H. Parviflora on weight loss, decreasing satiety, and improving fat mass, in particular Visceral Adipose Tissue (VAT).

KEY WORDS: Hoodia; Obesity; Satiety response; Intra-abdominal fat