Comparative Effects of Gymnema sylvestre and Berberine on Adipokines, Body Composition, and Metabolic Parameters in Obese Patients: A Randomized Study.

2024-07-16
Nutrients 16(14)
- Cindy Bandala
- Jazmín Carro-Rodríguez
- Noemí Cárdenas-Rodríguez
- Itzel Peña-Montero
- Modesto Gómez-López
- Ana Paola Hernández-Roldán
- Juan Carlos Huerta-Cruz
- Felipe Muñoz-González
- Iván Ignacio-Mejía
- Brayan Domínguez
- Eleazar Lara-Padilla

PubMed: 39064727
DOI: 10.3390/nu16142284

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population: 50 adult Mexican patients with obesity
Methods: comparative study treated with GS or BBR for 3 months; baseline and final biochemical parameters, body composition, blood pressure, gene expression of Res, Ome, Vis, and Ap, and safety parameters were evaluated
Duration: 3 months
Funding: Unclear

Rigorous Journal

Gymnema sylvestre (GS) and berberine (BBR) are natural products that have demonstrated therapeutic potential for the management of obesity and its comorbidities, as effective and safe alternatives to synthetic drugs. Although their anti-obesogenic and antidiabetic properties have been widely studied, comparative research on their impact on the gene expression of adipokines, such as resistin (Res), omentin (Ome), visfatin (Vis) and apelin (Ap), has not been reported.

Methodology

We performed a comparative study in 50 adult Mexican patients with obesity treated with GS or BBR for 3 months. The baseline and final biochemical parameters, body composition, blood pressure, gene expression of Res, Ome, Vis, and Ap, and safety parameters were evaluated.

Results

BBR significantly decreased (p < 0.05) body weight, blood pressure and Vis and Ap gene expression and increased Ome, while GS decreased fasting glucose and Res gene expression (p < 0.05). A comparative analysis of the final measurements revealed a lower gene expression of Ap and Vis (p < 0.05) in patients treated with BBR than in those treated with GS. The most frequent adverse effects in both groups were gastrointestinal symptoms, which attenuated during the first month of treatment.

Conclusion

In patients with obesity, BBR has a better effect on body composition, blood pressure, and the gene expression of adipokines related to metabolic risk, while GS has a better effect on fasting glucose and adipokines related to insulin resistance, with minimal side effects.

Research Insights

Berberine→Increased Omentin Level
BBR significantly decreased ... and increased Ome
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Berberine→Reduced Apelin Gene Expression
BBR significantly decreased (p < 0.05) ... and Ap gene expression
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Berberine→Reduced Blood Pressure
BBR significantly decreased (p < 0.05) body weight, blood pressure and Vis and Ap gene expression and increased Ome
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Berberine→Reduced Body Weight
BBR significantly decreased (p < 0.05) body weight, blood pressure and Vis and Ap gene expression and increased Ome
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Berberine→Reduced Visfatin Level
BBR significantly decreased (p < 0.05) ... Vis and Ap gene expression
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Gymnema→Reduced Fasting Glucose
GS decreased fasting glucose and Res gene expression (p < 0.05)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Gymnema→Reduced Resistin Gene Expression
GS decreased fasting glucose and Res gene expression (p < 0.05)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small

Adverse Events Reported

Berberine→gastrointestinal symptoms
The most frequent adverse effects in both groups were gastrointestinal symptoms, which attenuated during the first month of treatment.
Finding
Reported
Gymnema→gastrointestinal symptoms
The most frequent adverse effects in both groups were gastrointestinal symptoms, which attenuated during the first month of treatment.
Finding
Reported