Polymethoxyflavone purified fromKaempferia parviflorareduces visceral fat in Japanese overweight individuals: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Susumu Yoshino,Ikuo Fukuhara,Hiroshige Kuwahara,Jun Ogasawara,Takashi Tagawa,Riyo Awa

doi:10.1039/d0fo01217c

Abstract

Visceral fat is a more important factor in obesity-associated disorders in Japanese individuals than in Caucasian individuals. The objective of this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group study, conducted in Japanese overweight adults, was to investigate the effects of polymethoxyflavone purified from Kaempferia parviflora on visceral fat. A total of 80 subjects (aged 20-64 years, 23.0 ≤ body mass index < 30 kg m-2) were randomly assigned in 1 : 1 ratio to either the active (polymethoxyflavone purified from K. parviflora) or placebo group. Over a 12-week period, each subject received two capsules containing polymethoxyflavone purified from K. parviflora (12 mg polymethoxyflavone per day) or placebo. The primary outcome was a reduction in visceral fat area (VFA), while the secondary outcome was a reduction in subcutaneous fat area (SFA) and total fat area (TFA). VFA was measured at 0, 8, and 12 weeks using computed tomography scanning. Results showed that VFA significantly reduced after 12 weeks in the active group and was significantly lower than in the placebo group at 8 and 12 weeks. A significant reduction was observed in SFA and TFA after 8 and 12 weeks in the active group; TFA was significantly lower than that in the placebo group at 8 and 12 weeks. No adverse events associated with the test supplements were observed in either group. Our study shows that administration of polymethoxyflavone purified from K. parviflora reduces visceral fat in Japanese overweight adults.

Highlights

Obesity increases the risk of metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance, hyperlipidaemia, and hypertension.[1,2,3] Obesity usually develops when the balance between energy intake and energy expenditure is disrupted; it is characterised by an excessive lipid accumulation, resulting in body weight gain
Oral intake of KPE has been shown to increase energy expenditure and fat oxidation in healthy humans.[22,23]. These findings collectively suggest that KPE exerts body fat-lowering effects via increased energy expenditure
We evaluated the effect of continual intake of polymethoxyflavone purified from KP for 12 weeks, on abdominal visceral fat in Japanese subjects (BMI of 23 or more and less than 30 kg m−2) without changing their usual lifestyle

Summary

Introduction

Obesity increases the risk of metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance, hyperlipidaemia, and hypertension.[1,2,3] Obesity usually develops when the balance between energy intake and energy expenditure is disrupted; it is characterised by an excessive lipid accumulation, resulting in body weight gain. The excessive fat accumulation in adipocytes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes associated with insulin resistance.[4,5] Since the global obesity epidemic is rapidly growing, extensive research is being conducted on drugs and functional foods that can prevent obesity. Studies have reported that some natural products can decrease body fat in humans.[6,7,8,9]. Insulin secretion in Japanese is lower than that in Caucasian individuals.[10] visceral fat is an important

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Conclusion