RESUMO
BACKGROUND@#Obesity is a major public health problem and its occurrence is markedly increasing in developed and developing countries. However, few studies have investigated the use of natural products to treat obesity. The effects of taking a combination of oxymel and Zataria multiflora Boiss. (ZM), herein referred to as Zataria oxymel (ZO), on obesity, lipid profile and insulin resistance have not yet been studied.@*OBJECTIVE@#This study evaluates the effects of oxymel and ZO on obesity, lipid profile and insulin resistance.@*DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS@#In this randomized, controlled, triple-blind trial, overweight patients were randomly divided into three groups and received doses of study compounds twice per day for twelve weeks. Group A received 0.75 g ZM in 10 mL oxymel in each treatment; group B received 1.5 g ZM in 10 mL of oxymel in each treatment and group C (control) only received 10 mL of oxymel in each treatment.@*MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES@#Anthropometric parameters, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and hip circumference, were measured at the time of registration. Blood tests were carried out at the beginning and once again at end of the study. Blood parameters included fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin levels, serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and liver enzymes (aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase). Serum creatinine was also measured at the beginning of the project and in monthly intervals for three months. The homeostasis model assessment index was calculated as fasting insulin (μIU/mL) × FBS (mg/dL)/405.@*RESULTS@#The results showed that patients receiving ZO experienced significant reduction in waist circumference in groups A, B and C, respectively (P < 0.001) but no significant change in BMI. Group A also experienced reduction in hip circumference (P = 0.01). Groups B and C had reduction in the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (P = 0.05 and P = 0.01, respectively), with no significant reduction in FBS. No effect on lipid profile, liver enzymes or serum creatinine was observed in the three groups.@*CONCLUSION@#In this study, treatment with ZO and oxymel reduced insulin resistance, and waist and hip circumferences in overweight patients. Nonetheless, the traditional Persian use of ZO as a beverage to improve the anthropometric indices in overweight individuals still requires further research with a larger sample size.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Code IRCT20171220037976N1.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND@#Obesity is a major public health problem and its occurrence is markedly increasing in developed and developing countries. However, few studies have investigated the use of natural products to treat obesity. The effects of taking a combination of oxymel and Zataria multiflora Boiss. (ZM), herein referred to as Zataria oxymel (ZO), on obesity, lipid profile and insulin resistance have not yet been studied.@*OBJECTIVE@#This study evaluates the effects of oxymel and ZO on obesity, lipid profile and insulin resistance.@*DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS@#In this randomized, controlled, triple-blind trial, overweight patients were randomly divided into three groups and received doses of study compounds twice per day for twelve weeks. Group A received 0.75 g ZM in 10 mL oxymel in each treatment; group B received 1.5 g ZM in 10 mL of oxymel in each treatment and group C (control) only received 10 mL of oxymel in each treatment.@*MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES@#Anthropometric parameters, including body mass index (BMI), waist circumference and hip circumference, were measured at the time of registration. Blood tests were carried out at the beginning and once again at end of the study. Blood parameters included fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin levels, serum lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol) and liver enzymes (aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase). Serum creatinine was also measured at the beginning of the project and in monthly intervals for three months. The homeostasis model assessment index was calculated as fasting insulin (μIU/mL) × FBS (mg/dL)/405.@*RESULTS@#The results showed that patients receiving ZO experienced significant reduction in waist circumference in groups A, B and C, respectively (P < 0.001) but no significant change in BMI. Group A also experienced reduction in hip circumference (P = 0.01). Groups B and C had reduction in the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (P = 0.05 and P = 0.01, respectively), with no significant reduction in FBS. No effect on lipid profile, liver enzymes or serum creatinine was observed in the three groups.@*CONCLUSION@#In this study, treatment with ZO and oxymel reduced insulin resistance, and waist and hip circumferences in overweight patients. Nonetheless, the traditional Persian use of ZO as a beverage to improve the anthropometric indices in overweight individuals still requires further research with a larger sample size.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Code IRCT20171220037976N1.
RESUMO
Dionysia revoluta L. a plant of Primulaceae family is used for treatment of ulcers and relieving pain in Iranian traditional system of medicine. The present study was aimed at preliminary phytochemical investigation and evaluation of antioxidant characteristics of D.revoluta L.ethanol extract and various fractions. Total phenolic content was determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method. Evaluation of total flavonoid was carried out by the use of an aluminium chloride/sodium carbonate colorimetric procedure. Anti lipid peroxidation effect was studied with ethanol extract. Radical scavenging properties of ethanolic extract and various fractions was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl [DPPH] and Nitric Oxide [NO] methods. High phenolic and flavonoid content and significant radical scavenging properties were detected for the ethyl acetate and mainly n-butanol fraction. Comparisons were made with known reference antioxidant compounds including ascorbic acid, quercetin, and gallic acid. The radical scavenging effect of n-butanol fraction approached higher degree of effectiveness among all fractions. Acid hydrolysis of this fraction led to a significant enhancement in the phenolic and flavonoid contents and interestingly in DPPH scavenging efficacy of this fraction. As declared by the results, total phenolic content showed a good correlation with radical scavenging activity. The antioxidant activity found in the ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of D. revoluta L. may be attributed to the presence of flavonoids and other phenolic compounds. Among the various chemical constituents of this plant, the concentration of flavonoids seem to prevail remarkably as indicated by the inspection of thin layer chromatograms of various fractions and their responses to diagnostic colour reactions. Based on the results obtained in the present study, this plant bears a good radical scavenging and antioxidative character and is worth of further detailed phytochemical and antioxidative studies