Nutr Res Pract.  2016 Apr;10(2):175-181. 10.4162/nrp.2016.10.2.175.

Onion peel extract reduces the percentage of body fat in overweight and obese subjects: a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

• Lee JS
• Cha YJ
• Lee KH
• Yim JE

• KMID: 2313915
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2016.10.2.175

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
The anti-obesity effect of quercetin-rich onion peel extract (OPE) was suggested in rats, but information from human studies is limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of OPE on the body composition of overweight and obese subjects.
MATERIALS/METHODS
In this 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, parallel clinical trials were performed in overweight and obese Korean subjects. Randomly assigned subjects were instructed to take daily either the placebo (male, 6 and female, 30) or OPE capsules containing 100 mg of quercetin (male, 5 and female, 31). Body composition was measured by using bioimpedance and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Resting energy expenditure (REE) and respiratory quotient (RQ) were evaluated by using indirect calorie measurement methods. Fasting blood levels of glucose, insulin, lipids, and leptin were determined.
RESULTS
Quercetin-rich OPE supplementation significantly reduced the weight and percentage of body fat as measured by DXA (P = 0.02). These effects were not shown in the control group. Levels of blood glucose (P = 0.04) and leptin (P = 0.001 for placebo, P = 0.002 for OPE) decreased in both groups. Significant increases in REE and RQ were observed in both groups (P = 0.003 for placebo, P = 0.006 for OPE) and in the OPE group alone (P = 0.02), respectively.
CONCLUSIONS
Quercetin-rich OPE supplementation changed the body composition of the overweight and obese subjects. This result suggests a beneficial role of the anti-obesity effect of OPE human subjects.

Keyword

Overweight; obesity; onion peel extract; quercetin; body fat percent

MeSH Terms

Absorptiometry, Photon
Adipose Tissue*
Animals
Blood Glucose
Body Composition
Capsules
Energy Metabolism
Fasting
Female
Glucose
Humans
Insulin
Leptin
Obesity
Onions*
Overweight*
Quercetin
Rats
Blood Glucose
Capsules
Glucose
Insulin
Leptin
Quercetin

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Subjects recruitment and flow

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