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NCT Number: NCT06968208

The Efficacy and Safety of Puerarin in Obesity Treatment

This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of puerarin intervention in weight management and metabolic regulation among obese populations. The study will systematically address two primary endpoints: 1) The capacity of puerarin to induce clinically significant body weight reduction in individuals with BMI ≥30 kg/m²; 2) Its modulatory effects on postprandial lipid metabolism as measured by serum lipids and quantitative fecal lipid excretion analysis. Secondary outcomes focus on puerarin's pleiotropic effects, including continuous glucose monitoring-derived glycemic parameters and indirect calorimetry-assessed resting metabolic rate. Secondary exploratory objectives include investigating puerarin's potential mechanisms of action through continuous glucose monitoring and indirect calorimetry measurements to assess glycemic variability and resting energy expenditure, respectively. Participants will be randomized into two parallel groups: the intervention group receiving daily oral puerarin injection (75 mg/day, dissolved in 100 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride solution) and the control group receiving matched blank 100 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride solution, both administered double-blind for 6 consecutive months. Primary efficacy endpoints (body weight, waist circumference, lipid profile) and safety monitoring (adverse events, hematological/ biochemical parameters) will be assessed at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months post-intervention.

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Key information

Conditions

Metabolic Diseases Body Weight Nutrition Disorders Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Obesity Obesity/therapy Overnutrition Overweight Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Phase 2

Primary location

Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine

Shanghai, Shanghai Municipality, 200000, China

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Aged 18-60 years (inclusive), any gender.
  • Obesity (BMI ≥30.0 kg/m²).
  • With or without obesity-related metabolic comorbidities (e.g., type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia).
  • No prior use of weight-control, glucose-lowering, or lipid-modifying medications.
  • Stable weight (<3% fluctuation) and lifestyle for ≥1 month prior to screening.
  • Fully informed of trial objectives, procedures, risks, and benefits; voluntarily signed informed consent form.

Exclusion criteria

  • Secondary causes of obesity (e.g., monogenic obesity, Cushing's syndrome, drug-induced obesity).
  • History of common nutrient allergies (e.g., gluten, milk, eggs, plant-derived proteins).
  • Use of weight-control medications (e.g., metformin, GLP-1 receptor agonists, orlistat), corticosteroids (oral/IV/IM/non-oral systemic/intra-articular), or metabolic-interfering drugs/supplements within 3 months prior to screening or during the trial.
  • Use of traditional Chinese medicines or herbal products for weight management within 3 months prior to screening or during the trial.
  • History of psychiatric disorders, epilepsy, antidepressant use, or ongoing antiepileptic therapy.
  • Pregnancy, lactation, or plans for pregnancy within 6 months post-trial.
  • Active infectious diseases (e.g., HBV, HCV, tuberculosis, syphilis, HIV).
  • Severe infections, severe anemia (Hb <8 g/dL), or neutropenia (ANC <1.5×10⁹/L).
  • Gastrointestinal surgery within 1 year (excluding appendectomy/hernia repair) or major non-GI surgery within 6 months.
  • Active substance/alcohol abuse.
  • Known hypersensitivity to trial drug components or history of severe drug allergies.
  • Severe cardiac disorders (e.g., congenital/rheumatic heart disease, cardiomyopathy [NYHA ≥III], coronary stenting).
  • Hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.
  • History of malignancies (treated/untreated), regardless of recurrence status.
  • Hepatic/renal dysfunction: ALT/AST ≥2.5×ULN, serum creatinine >ULN, or eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73m² (MDRD formula).
  • Gastrointestinal disorders affecting absorption (e.g., IBD, active ulcers, severe diarrhea/constipation).
  • Participation in other clinical trials within 3 months prior to screening.
  • Any condition deemed unsuitable by investigators.

Treatment and study plan

Puerarin

Drug

75 mg of puerarin injection, dissolved in 0.9% sodium chloride solution. The puerarin injection is manufactured under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) conditions by [Harbin Medisan Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.], with identical appearance, size, and packaging to the blank 0.9% sodium chloride solution to ensure blinding. Stability testing confirms integrity under standard storage conditions (25°C, 60% RH).

Placebo

Drug

0.9% sodium chloride solution formulated to match the appearance, size, and taste of the active puerarin solution, with no other active pharmaceutical ingredients. 0.9% sodium chloride solution is manufactured under identical Good Manufacturing Practiceconditions by [Shijiazhuang No.4 Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.] and changed to the same batch processes and packaging as the intervention group. Stability testing confirms equivalent integrity under standard storage conditions (25°C, 60% RH). Blinding is ensured through indistinguishable outer packing characteristics and labeling.

Primary outcomes

  1. Body weight

    Time frame: Measurements will be performed in quadruplicate at each timepoint (baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months post-intervention), with the mean value recorded.

    Body weight will be measured to the nearest 0.1 kg using a calibrated digital scale under standardized conditions: participants in lightweight clothing (hospital gown), barefoot, and after an overnight fast (≥8 hours).

  2. Body Fat Percentage

    Time frame: Measurements will be performed in quadruplicate at each timepoint (baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months post-intervention), with the mean value recorded.

    Body fat percentage will be quantified via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA, InBody 770®).

  3. Serum Lipid Profile (Total Cholesterol [TC], Triglycerides [TG])

    Time frame: Measurements will be performed at each timepoint (baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months post-intervention) and twice a day

    Total Cholesterol (TC): Measured via cholesterol oxidase-peroxidase method, traceable to CDC reference standards. Triglycerides (TG): Quantified using glycerol-3-phosphate oxidase method with correction for free glycerol. The blood samples will be collected before and 2 hours after meals.

  4. Fecal Lipids

    Time frame: Measurements will be performed in quadruplicate at each timepoint (baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months post-intervention), with the mean value recorded.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Blood Glucose

    Time frame: Measurements will be performed at each timepoint (baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months post-intervention) and twice a day

    The blood samples will be collected after overnight fasting and 2 hours after meals.

  2. Basal Metabolic Rate

    Time frame: Measurements will be performed in quadruplicate at each timepoint (baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months post-intervention), with the mean value recorded.

    Basal metabolic rate will be measured via indirect calorimetry using a validated metabolic cart under strictly standardized conditions: participants in a fasting state (≥12 hours overnight), resting supine in a thermoneutral environment (22-24°C), with 30 minutes of pre-measurement rest and avoidance of caffeine or vigorous activity for 24 hours prior.

  3. Gut Hormones

    Time frame: Measurements will be performed in quadruplicate at each timepoint (baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months post-intervention), with the mean value recorded.

    Like ghrelin, cholecystokinin (CCK), Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), Peptide YY (PYY)

  4. Insulin level

    Time frame: Measurements will be performed in quadruplicate at each timepoint (baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months post-intervention), with the mean value recorded.

    The blood samples will be collected after overnight fasting(>8 hors).

  5. Gut Microbiome Metagenomics

    Time frame: Measurements will be performed in quadruplicate at each timepoint (baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months post-intervention).

  6. C-Peptide

    Time frame: Measurements will be performed in quadruplicate at each timepoint (baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months post-intervention), with the mean value recorded.

    The blood samples will be collected after overnight fasting(>8 hors).

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Jiqiu Wang, PhD, Principal Investigator

CONTACT

[email protected]

+86-153-0048-3751

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ruijin Hospital

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Randomized Controlled Trial of Puerarin for Obesity Treatment

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2029
Study completion
2029
First posted
May 13, 2025
Registry last updated
May 21, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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