title: Efficacy and tolerability of Meratrim for weight management: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy overweight human subjects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Meratrim is a blend of two plant extracts obtained from Sphaeranthus indicus flower heads and Garcinia mangostana fruit rinds. Previous studies have demonstrated that Meratrim is effective for weight management in obese individuals. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of Meratrim in managing body weight in healthy overweight subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty participants with a mean BMI of 28.3 kg/m(2) were randomized into two groups receiving either 400 mg of Meratrim twice daily or two identical placebo capsules for a period of 16 weeks. Subjects were asked to consume about 2,000 kcal/day throughout the study period and walk 5 days a week for 30 min daily. The primary endpoint was defined as the change in body weight from baseline to end of week 16 for the Meratrim group versus placebo. Fifty seven subjects completed the trial.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At study conclusion, statistically significant reductions in body weight (5.09 vs. 1.1 kg; p < 0.0001), BMI (1.91 vs. 0.43 kg/m(2); p < 0.0001), waist (9.97 vs. 3.71 cm; p < 0.001) and hip size (10.38 vs. 5.11 cm; p < 0.0001) were observed in the Meratrim versus the placebo group. Additionally, a significant change in serum LDL (-14.79 vs. 6.25 mg/dL; p < 0.0001), triglycerides (-43.62 vs. -13.68 mg/dL; p < 0.001) and total cholesterol (-20.0 vs. -0.75 mg/dL; p = 0.0002) was observed in the Meratrim cohort compared to the placebo. No supplementation related adverse events were noted during the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study findings suggest that Meratrim is well-tolerated and is an effective ingredient for weight management in healthy overweight subjects.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  CTRI/2014/07/004727; www.CTRI.nic.in.
authors: Srinivasa clinic and Diabetic care center, Girinagar, BSK 3rd Stage, Bengaluru, 560 085, Karnataka, India. drvenkatesh64@gmail.com.
authors: Venkateshwarlu
authors: V
authors: Kudiganti
authors: Srinivasa clinic and Diabetic care center, Girinagar, BSK 3rd Stage, Bengaluru, 560 085, Karnataka, India.
authors: Raveendra Ramamurthy
authors: RR
authors: Kodur
authors: Srinivasa clinic and Diabetic care center, Girinagar, BSK 3rd Stage, Bengaluru, 560 085, Karnataka, India.
authors: Sushma Raveendra
authors: SR
authors: Kodur
authors: D2L Clinical Solutions, Bengaluru, 560048, India.
authors: Manjunath
authors: M
authors: Halemane
authors: D2L Clinical Solutions, Bengaluru, 560048, India.
authors: Dheeraj Kumar
authors: DK
authors: Deep
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells / Q000187:drug effects; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001066:Appetite / Q000187:drug effects; D019659:Asteraceae / Q000737:chemistry; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D029760:Garcinia / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D050177:Overweight / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Garcinia mangostana; Healthy overweight; Meratrim; Sphaeranthus indicus; Weight management