Efficacy of ‘Itrifal Saghir’, a combination of three medicinal plants in the treatment of obesity; A randomized controlled trial

In this study we aimed to assess the efficacy of this herbal medicinal on reduction of weight and body mass index (BMI) of simple obese subjects in comparison with placebo. Obese subjects aged between 16 and 60 years were selected for 12-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial using a parallel design. Subjects were randomly assigned to take 5 grams of either the Itrifal Saghir (n = 31) or placebo (n = 31), 2 times daily for 12 weeks. Measures of body weight, BMI, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), were assessed at baseline and once every four weeks during the 12 week treatment period. The safety was evaluated by means of measuring the liver and kidney function. Homeostasis model of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated as [fasting insulin (μU/mL)？×？fasting glucose (mmol/L)/22.5].Compared to placebo group, in treatment group the mean difference of effective weight loss was 4.82Kg (CI95% 3.52 - 6.11, ρ？<？0.001), the mean of decrease in waist circumference was 4.01 cm (CI 95% 2.13 - 5.90, ρ？<？0.001), and the mean decrease in hip circumference was 3. 21 cm (CI 95% 1.96 - 4.45, ρ？<？0.001) in treated subjects. No adverse effects or significant changes in liver and kidney function tests were observed in both placebo and treated groups.Itrifal Saghir appears to produce a positive effect on weight loss in obese subjects.Obesity is recognized as an important metabolic disorder and a major public health issue which affects a large number of people around the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity is rated among the 10 most preventable disease of clinical and public health [1]. Obesity is associated with an array of health problems in adult and pediatric population including metabolic syndrome [2-5], hypertension, diabetes [2], and liver disease [5-8]. In human, adipose tissue represents an active endocrine organ that by releasing the large number of bioactive mediators plays an important role in modulating hemosta