The effect of cumin cyminum l. Plus lime administration onweight loss and metabolic status in overweight subjects: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background: Limited data are available regarding the effects of combined administration of Cumin cyminum L. and lime on weight loss and metabolic profiles among subjects with overweight subjects. Objectives: The current study aimed to assess the effects of combined administration of Cumin cyminum L. and lime on weight loss and metabolic profiles among subjects with overweight. Patients and Methods: This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 72 subjects with overweight, aged 18 - 50 years old. Participants were randomly divided into three groups: Group A received high-dose Cumin cyminum L. and lime capsules (75 mg each, n = 24), group B low-dose Cumin cyminum L. and lime capsules (25 mg each, n = 24) and group C placebos (n = 24) twice daily for eight weeks. Results: After eightweeksof intervention, comparedwithlow-dose C.cyminumL. plus limeandplacebo, taking high-dose C.cyminum L. plus lime resulted in significant weight loss (in the high-dose group: -2.1±1.7 vs. in the low-dose group: -1.2±1.5 and in the placebo group: + 0.2 ± 1.3 kg, respectively; P < 0.001) and body mass index (-0.8 ± 0.6 vs. -0.5 ± 0.5 and +0.1 ± 0.5 kg/m2, respectively; P < 0.001). In addition, administration of high-dose C. cyminum L. plus limecomparedwith low-dose C. cyminum L. plus limeandplacebo, led to a significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (P < 0.001) and a significant rise in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (+ 0.02 ± 0.02 vs. + 0.01 ± 0.02 and 0.01 ± 0.01, respectively; P = 0.01). Moreover, a significant decrease in serum triglycerides (-14.1 ± 56.2 vs. +13.9 ± 36.8 and + 10.6 ± 25.1 mg/dL; respectively; P = 0.03), total-cholesterol (-18.4 ± 28.6 vs. +8.6±28.5 and -1.0±24.8 mg/dL; respectively; P = 0.004) and low density lipoproteins-(LDL)-cholesterol levels (-11.8±20.7 vs. +6.5 ±23.2 and -2.9±20.4 mg/dL, respectively; P = 0.01) was observed following the consumption of high-dose C. cyminum L. plus lime compared with low-dose C. cyminum L. plus lime and placebo. Conclusions: Results of the current study indicated that taking high-dose C. cyminum L. plus lime for eight weeks among subjects with overweight had beneficial effects on weight, BMI, FPG, QUICKI, triglycerides, total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels. © 2016, Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal