In 2014, 1.9 billion adults worldwide were overweight while another 600 million were obese.

Lifestyle modifications to reduce obesity include energy restriction and increased physical activity are essential to addressing this epidemic.

Another approach may include the use of an edible vegetable from Korea known as Aster spathulifolius.

This plant is native to the Asian continent including the countries China, Japan and Korea.

Aster spathulifolius extract has been shown to inhibit certain reduce the percent of fat and improve the lipid profile in pre-clinical research.

A study was recently undertaken to determine if Aster extract could reduce body fat in obese human adults.

This study was published in the journal Nutrition Research.

The study design included:

• A 12 week randomized placebo controlled study
• The dose was 700 mg of Aster extract in a capsule
• Average age of the subjects taking Aster was 40 years old
• 44 Human subjects were randomized to receive Aster extract or placebo

Here are the results:

• Body weight decreased by 3.30 kg (i.e. 7.3 pounds) after 12 weeks of Aster extract
• Body fat mass decreased by 2.28 kg (i.e. 5.7 pounds) after 12 weeks of Aster extract
• No changes in cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and hemoglobin A1c
• No adverse events were reported with Aster extract

Take away message:  This is the first in human clinical trial evaluating Aster extract for reducing body weight in humans.  The results of the study revealed Aster extract was able to reduce body weight 4.3 % after 12 weeks.  Interestingly, no changes were observed in the lipid profile, fasting blood glucose, and hemoglobin A1c.  Possibly, the ingredients Berberine or Curcumin could be used in combination to reduce body weight while improving these lab values.  The results of this first in human study suggest Aster extract may be a promising strategy for managing obesity.

Nutrition Research. 2016 July; Volume 36 (Issue 7): Pages 671-8

• Author
• Recent Posts

Jeremy Johnson, PharmD, PhD

Dr. Johnson is a tenured associate Professor and licensed Pharmacist at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Pharmacy.

His research on plant medicine has led to more than 45 publications and abstracts.This research has been presented at international meetings in the USA, France, Turkey, Peru, Israel, Austria, and Italy.

Latest posts by Jeremy Johnson, PharmD, PhD (see all)

• Can a plant based diet reduce risk of all cause death and death from cardiovascular disease? -
• Does heating or boiling turmeric that contains curcumin reduce its health benefits? -
• Replacing potatoes or rice with lentils reduces blood sugar in clinical trial -

Categories: Body weight, Clinical Trials, Plant Medicine, Weight loss