Sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) powder supplementation has beneficial effects on appetite in overweight/obese women with depression: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Appetite disturbance is a common problem in obesity and depression. The beneficial effects of polyphenols in promoting satiety have been shown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of sumac supplementation along with calorie restricted diet (CRD) on appetite in overweight and obese women with depression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this trial, 60 overweight and obese women with depression were randomly assigned to receive a CRD plus 3 g/day of either sumac or placebo for 12 weeks. The appetite score, serum levels of leptin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), insulin, fasting blood sugar (FBS), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) were assessed at baseline and at the end of the study. RESULTS: Sumac supplementation significantly reduced the appetite score (p = 0.02), serum levels of leptin (p = 0.03), NPY (p = 0.01), insulin (p = 0.03), FBS (p = 0.03), and HOMA-IR (p = 0.02) compared to the placebo group. QUICKI increased significantly in the sumac group compared to the placebo group (p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Sumac along with a CRD may have some beneficial effects on appetite through possible modulatory effects on leptin resistance, insulin sensitivity, and NPY levels in overweight and obese women with depression.

The beneficial effects of sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) supplementation along with restricted calorie diet on anthropometric indices, oxidative stress, and inflammation in overweight or obese women with depression: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress and inflammation play pivotal roles in the pathophysiology of obesity and depression. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sumac (Rhus coriaria L.) on anthropometric indices, oxidative stress, inflammation, and depression in overweight or obese depressed women. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on overweight or obese women aged 20-65 years with mild to moderate depression. The participants (n = 62) were assigned to receive a restricted calorie diet (RCD) plus 3 g/day of either sumac or placebo for 12 weeks. Anthropometric measurements, biochemical biomarkers, and the Beck depression inventory were assessed during the study. RESULTS: Sumac significantly reduced weight, body mass index, body fat (p < .001), visceral fat level (p = .03), waist and hip circumference, and malondialdehyde levels (p = .03, p = .002, and p = .006, respectively) in comparison with the placebo group. The levels of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α decreased only in the sumac group (11 and 32%, respectively); however, these reductions were not significant. The high-sensitivity c-reactive protein levels (p = .007 and p = .01, respectively) and Beck scores (p < .001) decreased significantly in both the sumac and the placebo group without any significant difference between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Sumac can be considered as a functional food that along with RCD could have beneficial effects on obesity management, through the possible modulatory effects on oxidative stress in overweight or obese depressed women.