A total of 40 obese subjects aged between 19 and 55 years were selected from a group responding to a radio advertisement. After physical examination and laboratory screening tests, diabetics, pregnant and lactating women were excluded. None of these subjects took any weight reducing medication and none was following any specific diet. The purpose, nature and potential risks of the study were explained to all patients and a written informed consent was obtained before their participation. The local research ethics committee approved the experimental protocol.
Study design
The study was as a randomised, double blind placebo-controlled crossover design, and consisted of a 4-week treatment period. Subjects were given two different types of capsules containing 350 mg of Irvingia gabonensis seed extract (active formulation) or oat bran (placebo). Three capsules were taken three times daily, one-half hour before meals (a total daily amount of 3.15 g of Irvingia gabonensis seed extract) with a glass of warm water. Capsules were identical in shape, colour and appearance, with neither patients nor researchers knowing what capsule they received. During the experimental period, subjects were examined weekly, with their body weight, body fat, waist and hip circumferences recorded each time. Subjective findings such as increased or decreased appetite, feeling of lightness and gastrointestinal pains were individually noted. Side effects of the active extract, if any were also solicited and noted during each visit. The subjects were also interviewed about their physical activity and food intake during the trial, and were instructed to eat a low fat diet (1800 Kcal) as well as keep a record for seven consecutive days (using household measurements).
Anthropometric measurements
Anthropometric measurements were done at each visit, with body weight and body fat (impedance measurement using a TANITA™ monitor Scale) measurements on fasted (12 hour) subjects wearing light clothing. Waist and hip circumferences were measured by soft non-stretchable plastic tape on the narrowest and the widest parts of the trunk.
Laboratory methods
Blood samples were collected after a 12 h overnight fast into heparinized tubes at the beginning of the study, after two weeks and at the end (4 weeks) of treatment. The concentrations of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, HDL-cholesterol, and glucose, in plasma were measured using a commercial diagnostic kit (Cholesterol infinity, triglycerides Int, EZ HDL™ cholesterol, EZ LDL™ cholesterol, Glucose Trinder, respectively) from SIGMA Diagnostics
Statistical Analysis
Results are expressed as mean ± SEM except for anthropometric measurements. Paired Student's t-test was carried out on the start and end values of placebo and Irvingia gabonensis capsules and also on the differences between the placebo and Irvingia gabonensis crude extract.