The Effects of Dichrostachys glomerata on Weight Loss

    Dichrostachys glomerata is a deciduous tree found in Africa and other tropical regions. In Cameroon, its dried fruits are often used as a spice in the traditional soup called “Nah-poh”. The bark is used in folk medicine to treat dysentery, headaches, and syphilis, while the roots and leaves are used to treat epilepsy. The plant contains several natural compounds, including sterols, alkaloids, terpenoids, polyphenols, and glycosides (1).

    The plant's ability to lower blood pressure was first noted over 40 years ago. Studies have shown that Dichrostachys glomerata has antiviral, anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, and wound-healing properties. It also has antioxidant effects and can help reduce LDL oxidation. Research on diabetic rats suggests that Dichrostachys glomerata may lower blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin levels. A few recent studies found that ground Dichrostachys glomerata or Dichrostachys glomerata extract could result in weight loss and improve cardiovascular risk factors linked to obesity (1-3).

    Youovop et al. evaluated the anti-obesity effect of the Dichrostachys glomerata extract, on overweight and obese subjects (n=100) in a 12-week randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial.  Participants were randomly divided into two groups and instructed to take 400 mg of either Dichrostachys glomerata extract (Dyglomera®, n=52) or a placebo (n=48) once a day before lunch or dinner for the duration of the study (1).

    Subjects treated with Dichrostachys glomerata extract for 12 weeks showed significant differences, with a 6.73 kg (p<0.05) decrease in body weight and a 22.85% (p<0.05) reduction in the percentage of body fat. In contrast, the placebo group showed a weight loss of 0.08 kg and 0.46% in the percentage of body fat (1).

    In addition, the lipid profile markers, adipocytokines, glycemia, and transaminase plasmatic activities were also improved by the intake of Dichrostachys glomerata extract.  Specifically, the Dichrostachys glomerata extract treatment showed significant reductions in total cholesterol from 213.54±10.70 to 177.52±7.07 mg/dL, LDL-cholesterol from 131.77±6.27 to 119.60±6.04 mg/dL, insulin from 16.71±1.71 to 15.97±1.43 IU/L, fasting glucose from 5.07±0.39 to 4.89±0.43 nmol/L, and an increase in HDL-cholesterol from 43.12±5.11 to 49.31±4.01 mg/dL (p<0.05 all) (1).

    This study showed that Dichrostachys glomerata extract could effectively decrease the body weight in obese subjects after 12 weeks of treatment, which was accompanied by a reduction in body fat and related disorders. Dichrostachys glomerata extract is a good agent for overweight and obesity management (1).

    Kaute et al. evaluated the effects of a standardized Dichrostachys glomerata extract on metabolic syndrome markers in obese individuals. The study was an 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 116 males and 202 females aged between 24 and 58. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: treatment and placebo. Capsules containing the active treatment (200 mg Dyglomera®) or placebo (200 mg maize powder) were administered 30–60 minutes before lunch and dinner throughout the study period. Various biochemical (namely, blood glucose, lipid profile, pro-inflammatory and pro-thrombotic markers), anthropometric, and hemodynamic parameters were measured at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment (2).

    At the end of the study, the treatment group showed statistically significant differences in all 16 parameters compared to baseline values. Compared to the placebo group, the Dichrostachys glomerata extract treatment group showed a significant average weight reduction of 11.15 kg (-11.33% of total body weight) (p < 0.001) after 8 weeks of treatment. The body fat percentage was also reduced by 4.7% in the treatment group compared to the control group, which had no changes. The treatment also had a 24% and 11% reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In addition, the treatment decreased blood glucose (27%), total triglyceride (69%), total cholesterol (44%), LDL-cholesterol (49%), and increased HDL-cholesterol (56%), while the control group did not have changes in these parameters. Insulin levels and insulin resistance were also significantly reduced in the treatment group compared to those of the control group (2).

    These results showed that Dichrostachys glomerata extract could reduce body weight and improve the atherogenic risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome after 8 weeks of treatment. The extent of changes appears to be stronger than typical nutritional supplements for weight loss, showing a very promising health benefit for weight management for obese patients (2).

    Hausenblas et al. examined the effect of a standardized powder of Dichrostachys glomerata fruit pods (DYG-400®) on weight, food cravings, mood, and health-related quality of life of overweight and mildly obese adults. In this double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 56 adults (Mean age = 44.50, Mean [body mass index] BMI = 31.66) were randomized to either the Dichrostachys glomerata group (300 mg/d) or placebo group (rice protein, 300 mg/d) for 60 days. Participants’ weight was assessed along with self-report assessments of the Food Cravings Questionnaire, CDC Health-related Quality of Life, Perceived Stress Scale, Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Profile of Mood States at Baseline, Day 30, and Day 60 (3).

    The Dichrostachys glomerata group lost significantly more weight by Day 60 than the placebo group, with the Dichrostachys glomerata group losing 4.11 lbs and the placebo group losing 2.19 lbs. This happened even though the placebo group ate fewer calories. The Dichrostachys glomerata group also had a bigger drop in food cravings from the start to both Day 30 and Day 60 compared to the placebo group (p <0.001). Perceived stress (p < 0.001) and mood (p = .017) improved from Baseline to Day 60 for the Dichrostachys glomerata group compared to the placebo group. Anxiety decreased from Baseline to Day 60 for the Dichrostachys glomerata group and from Baseline to Day 30 for the placebo group (p < .001). Health-related Quality of Life improved for the Dichrostachys glomerata group compared to the placebo group (p < .001). These results suggested that Dichrostachys glomerata may be an effective herbal intervention to promote weight loss and health (3).

    The findings from these randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials provide compelling evidence that Dichrostachys glomerata extract not only aids in weight loss but also improves overall health by addressing atherogenic risk factors and metabolic syndrome components. Given these benefits, Dichrostachys glomerata could be considered a valuable dietary supplement strategy for individuals struggling with obesity for weight management.

References:

1.     Youovop J., Takuissu G., Mbopda C., Nwang F., Ntentié R., Mbong M., Azantsa B., Singh H., Oben J. The Effects of DyglomeraⓇ (Dichrostachys glomerata extract) on Body Fat Percentage and Body Weight: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Functional Foods in Health and Disease 2023; 13(6): 334-346, DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.31989/ffhd.v13i6.1088

2.     Kuate, Dieudonné, Blanche C. Etoundi, Judith Laure Ngondi, Wan Abdul Manan Wan Muda and Julius Enyong Oben. “Anti-inflammatory, anthropometric and lipomodulatory effects Dyglomera® (aqueous extract of Dichrostachys glomerata) in obese patients with metabolic syndrome.” Functional Foods in Health and Disease 3 (2013): 416-427.

3.     Hausenblas HA, Lynch TA, Befus SM, Braverman TL, Hooper SL. Efficacy of Dichrostachys Glomerata Supplementation on Overweight and Mildly Obese Adult's Weight, Mood, and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial. J Diet Suppl. 2024;21(6):825-840. doi: 10.1080/19390211.2024.2406449. Epub 2024 Sep 23. PMID: 39313865.

Photo By Marco Schmidt from Wikimedia