A recent clinical trial published in Medicina demonstrates that two botanical extracts, Dichrostachys glomerata and Cissus quadrangularis, can significantly boost levels of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)—a hormone that signals satiety—while promoting meaningful weight loss. The study also directly compared these extracts with oral semaglutide, a widely used GLP-1 receptor agonist (RA) for weight management.
Why Botanical Ingredients Matter for Weight Management
GLP-1 receptor agonists have become a cornerstone of weight management due to their ability to enhance satiety and reduce caloric intake. However, barriers such as high cost, side effects, and the need for injections limit their widespread use. Oral semaglutide offers an alternative, but affordability and tolerability remain concerns.
Botanical ingredients offer a promising, lower-cost alternative with fewer adverse effects. “We now have the strongest evidence yet that these extracts support GLP-1 activity through natural pathways in the body, helping regulate appetite, reduce body fat, and improve key markers of metabolic health,” said Julius Oben, Ph.D., professor of nutritional biochemistry at the University of Yaounde in Cameroon and lead investigator of the study.
Study Design and Methodology
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled 228 participants over a 16-week period. Participants received either:
- 400 mg/day of D. glomerata extract
- 300 mg/day of C. quadrangularis extract (CQR-300)
- Oral semaglutide (starting at 3 mg/day, increasing to 14 mg/day by week 8)
- Placebo
No specific diet or exercise instructions were provided. Researchers measured blood GLP-1 levels, DPP-4 activity, body weight, body fat, fasting glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, energy intake, and satiety scores using validated methods.
Key Findings
Participants receiving the botanical extracts or semaglutide experienced statistically significant improvements compared to placebo:
- GLP-1 levels increased, while DPP-4 activity decreased
- Body weight reduced by 5% or more
- Body fat decreased by 10% or more
- Total cholesterol and triglycerides decreased
- Calorie intake reduced by 16% or more
- Satiety scores increased by 25% or more
While semaglutide produced the largest numerical improvements, the botanical extracts yielded comparable effects, particularly in appetite regulation and metabolic markers.
About the Botanicals
- Dichrostachys glomerata: Traditionally used in Africa for weight management, previously shown to improve weight and mood.
- Cissus quadrangularis: Known for anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and bone health benefits, with accumulating evidence for weight management support, particularly in its CQR-300 extract form.
Both botanicals also reduced DPP-4, an enzyme that breaks down GLP-1, further supporting their mechanism in appetite regulation and weight loss.
Implications and Future Directions
The study underscores the potential of natural, plant-based ingredients to complement or provide alternatives to pharmaceutical GLP-1 therapies. Unlike semaglutide, these botanicals may offer affordable, low-side-effect options for individuals seeking weight management support.
Prior studies of D. glomerata and C. quadrangularis focused on weight, mood, or metabolic health, but this trial is among the first to directly measure GLP-1 and DPP-4 modulation. The results also align with emerging research on gut microbiome species such as Akkermansia, although clinical outcomes in probiotic interventions remain mixed.
Conclusion
D. glomerata and C. quadrangularis demonstrate measurable impacts on GLP-1 activity, satiety, and weight loss, presenting promising options for dietary supplementation in weight management. With increasing interest in natural, science-backed supplements, these botanicals could become key players in the evolving landscape of obesity and metabolic health solutions.
