A polyphenol fraction from Rosa multiflora var. platyphylala reduces body fat in overweight humans through appetite suppression - a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Abstract

Rosa species are rich sources of polyphenols with physiological functions. In this study a polyphenol-rich Rosa multiflora (var. platyphylala) petal extract (RoseFit™) was investigated for weight loss in humans. In a randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, double-blind clinical trial seventy overweight male and female subjects (20-50 years) with body mass index (BMI) 25-30kg/m2 were randomly allocated to the active treatment group (RoseFit) and placebo group in a 1:1 ratio. The subjects received 300mg capsules twice daily for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy outcome measures included body weight, BMI, and body composition, as determined using Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Secondary measures consisted of serum lipid profile and appetite marker (leptin and ghrelin) analyses. Safety analyses included biochemical and hematological assessments. At the end of the study, a marked reduction in body weight (-1.20 ± 2.62kg, p < 0.05) and BMI from baseline was observed in the RoseFit group. In addition, the body fat % (RoseFit = -1.69 ± 2.59%, placebo = 0.96 ± 3.21%; p < 0.001) and fat mass (RoseFit = -1.75 ± 1.80kg, placebo = 1.61 ± 3.82kg; p < 0.001) were significantly abated in RoseFit group. Importantly, the lean mass was maintained during the intervention. RoseFit ingestion significantly increased the serum leptin levels compared to the placebo (4.85%; p < 0.05). Further, RoseFit group showed reduction in the hunger hormone ghrelin level (2.27%; p < 0.001) from baseline to the end of study, compared to the placebo. The subjective evaluation of appetite using visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaires further confirmed the appetite-suppression effects of RoseFit. The lipid profile significantly improved in RoseFit-treated subjects. No serious adverse events were observed during the study, indicating the tolerability of RoseFit. Supplementation with RoseFit significantly impacts body weight management and can thus be a potential nutraceutical ingredient for sustainable weight loss. CTRI/2019/10/021584 dated 09/10/2019.