A Phase 1/2 interventional study of Dichrostachys glomerata and Cissus quadrangularia in Obesity and Overweight and Appetite Regulation, sponsored by University of Yaounde 1. Active, not recruiting at 1 site in Cameroon. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-05-15.
Sponsored by University of Yaounde 1 · Phase 1/2, Interventional, and Treatment
Obesity is a global health crisis affecting over 2.3 billion individuals worldwide. This prospective study aims to evaluate the comparative effects of standardised Cissus quadrangularis extract (CQE) and Dichrostachys glomerata extract (DGE) on obesity-related parameters, focusing on their impact on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) levels and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) enzyme activity in obese subjects. Parameters such as GLP-1 levels, DPP-4 activity, food intake, satiety, body weight, blood lipids, fasting blood glucose, and visceral fat mass will be measured at baseline and various intervals.
In our previous pre-clinical trial involving 18 adult male Wistar rats (150-200 g), randomly divided into three groups: a control group fed a normal diet, and two treatment groups receiving DGE (400 mg/kg) or CQE (300 mg/kg) alongside a normal diet, the results demonstrated that both DGE and CQE significantly increased GLP-1 levels and inhibited DPP-4 activity compared to the control group. These effects were associated with reduced food intake, body weight, and fasting blood glucose levels. Additionally, both extracts positively modified blood lipid profiles, with significant changes in HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels. The findings suggest that DGE and CQE exert their anti-obesity effects through mechanisms involving GLP-1 enhancement and DPP-4 inhibition, offering potential therapeutic pathways for weight management and metabolic health.
This prospective study aims to provide clinical evidence supporting the use of these plant extracts in addressing obesity and its related complications.
Obesity is a health burden affecting over 2.3 billion people of all ages globally. The development and progression of obesity involve a complex pathogenesis, and several drugs have been developed to target these pathways. In recent years, dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors or gliptins, such as sitagliptin, saxagliptin, and vildagliptin, have been considered as a viable obesity management option. Gliptins inhibit DPP-4, an enzyme known to deactivate the GLP-1 hormone, contributing to the development and progression of obesity and other metabolic diseases. GLP-1 is one of the important incretin hormones secreted in the L-cells of the gut for the maintenance of blood sugar homeostasis. It exhibits other pleiotropic effects through its receptors in the liver, brain, and stomach to delay gastric emptying, reduce appetite, and induce significant weight loss. In healthy individuals, GLP-1 has a half-life of >2 minutes due to the activities of DPP-4 . Some studies have observed higher DPP-4 levels in obese individuals, further reducing the incretin effects of GLP-1. Gliptins are primarily invented to manage type 2 diabetes. However, their weight loss effects are quite significant, presenting as a potent management option for obesity.
Synthetically produced drugs are often associated with side effects and contraindications. For conditions such as obesity, patients often require unique management options due to sensitivity and the high likelihood of comorbidities. For instance, obese individuals are more vulnerable to pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, whereas gliptins are associated with a high incidence of acute pancreatitis. Gliptins also present other side effects such as upper respiratory infections, headache, urinary tract infections, arthralgia, and in severe cases, Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Cost-wise, gliptins are considerably expensive. The current FDA-approved gliptins are intended for the management of diabetes. Prescribing them for obesity may lead to higher demand and prices as well as scarcity. Hence, there is a need for a wider range of safe, cost-effective, and potent alternatives.
Natural products continue to emerge as potential drug leads for several metabolic disease conditions due to their potency and low toxicity. DGE (Dichrostachys glomerata), a popular Cameroonian spice, and CQE (Cissus quadrangularis), an ornamental and medicinal plant growing in Africa and Asia, have shown tremendous effects on weight loss. A recent study showed that DGE induced 22.85% weight loss in 60 subjects in 12 weeks. In a double-blind placebo-controlled study involving 35 subjects, CQE reduced body fat by 12.8% in 8 weeks. The mechanism of these two extracts is not fully understood. It has been proposed that DGE and CQE are anorectic. Some studies suggested that DGE and CQE reduced food intake through increased adiponectin secretion and the AMPK pathway.
Additionally, CQE was shown to boost serotonin levels. Serotonin has received much attention in weight loss research in the past. It has been implicated for its appetite-suppressing effect on the arcuate nucleus hypothalamus, a region responsible for food intake and energy expenditure.
Up to the present, no study has investigated the effect of DGE or CQE on GLP-1 or DPP-4 levels. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the efficacy of DGE and CQE as potent alternatives to gliptins in obesity management.
11,522 studies on the registry are indexed under Obesity; 2,033 are open to participants now.
This study's enrollment of 248 is above the median of 67 across 9,006 interventional studies indexed under Obesity.
Browse Obesity studies →University of Yaounde 1 is the lead sponsor of 11 studies on the registry; 1 is open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
BMI (body mass index)
Weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared. Example: 70 kg and 1.75 m gives 70 ÷ (1.75 × 1.75) ≈ 22.9.
What counts as overweight or obesity differs between countries (some use lower cut-offs), so go by the range the study states.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
HIV
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Cancer (malignancy)
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
62 participants aged 18-65 with a BMI between 25 - 34 kg/m 2 randomly assigned to the placebo group will be administered a 400 mg dextrin capsule daily for 16 weeks. Participants will be instructed to maintain their usual lifestyle and dietary habits and to report any delays in taking the capsules.
Drug: Dextrin
62 participants aged 18-65 with a BMI between 25 - 34 kg/m 2 randomly assigned to the DGE group will be administered 400mg DGE capsule daily for 16 weeks. Participants will be instructed to maintain their usual lifestyle and dietary habits and to report any delays in taking the capsules.
Drug: Dichrostachys glomerata
62 participants aged 18-65 with a BMI between 25 - 30 kg/m 2 randomly assigned to the CQE group will be administered 300mg CQE capsule daily for 16 weeks. Participants will be instructed to maintain their usual lifestyle and dietary habits and to report any delays in taking the capsules.
Drug: Cissus quadrangularia
62 participants aged 18-65 with a BMI between 25 - 34 kg/m 2 randomly assigned to the semaglutide group will be administered a repackaged Oral semaglutide (Rybelsus®) capsule daily (4-week dose escalation from 3 (week 0-4) to 7 (week 4-8) to 14mg (week 8-16)). Participants will be instructed to maintain their usual lifestyle and dietary habits and to report any delays in taking the capsules.
Drug: Semaglutide (Rybelsus®)
DGE were procured from Gateway Health Alliances, Fairfield in 400 mg and 300 mg capsules.
Also known as: Dyglomera®, DGE
CQR-300® were procured from Gateway Health Alliances, Fairfield in 400 mg and 300 mg capsules.
Also known as: CQR-300®, CQE
Placebo capsules containing 400 mg of dextrin, looking identical to DGE and CQE were also procured from Gateway Health Alliances, Fairfield, California, USA.
Also known as: Placebo group
Oral semaglutide (Rybelsus®) was purchased and then repackaged into capsules looking identical to DGE, CQE and placebo capsules.
Also known as: semaglutide
Effect of DGE and CQE on participants GLP-1 level
Description: GLP-1 levels will be determined in pg/mL using the RayBio® GLP-1 ELISA kit.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12 and Week 16
Effect of DGE and CQE on participants DPP4 activity
DPP-4 activity will be measured using Cayman's DPP-4 inhibitor screening assay kit according to the manufacturer's instructions. Unit of Measure: % Activity Remaining This will be determined using the calculation below: % activity remaining = (slope of test sample/positive control slope) × 100.
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12 and Week 16
Effect of DGE and CQE on participants' energy Intake
Participants will maintain a food diary for seven consecutive days (the last week of each study period), recording all foods, drinks, and snacks consumed. Food intake will be recorded in household measurements and converted into grams using manufacturer labels where applicable. Nutrient intake (carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins) will then be quantified in grams using the FAO food composition table for Cameroon. Energy intake will be calculated as follows: EI (Kcal/day) = ECarb + ELip + EProt where: ECarb(Kcal/day)=Amount of carb ingested (g) x 4 Kcal/7 Eprot (Kcal/day)=Amount of carb/prot ingested (g) x 4 Kcal/7 ELip (Kcal/day)=Amount of lipid ingested (g) x 9 Kcal/7 Considering that: 1 g carbohydrate or protein = 4 Kcal and 1 g lipid = 9 kcal
Time frame: Week 16
Effect of DGE and CQE on participants Fasting blood glucose
Glucose levels will be measured in blood samples taken from each participant after a 12-hour fast at Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12 and Week 16 using the glucose oxidase-peroxidase enzymatic method with a OneTouch Ultra 2 glucometer. Unit of measure: mg/dL
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12 and Week 16
Effect of DGE and CQE on participants BMI
BMI will then be calculated as follows: BMI (kg/m²)=Weight in Kg/Height in meter²
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12 and Week 16
Effect of DGEand CQE on participants Body weight
Body weight will be measured in Kg using a TANITA brand scale at Visits (baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12 and Week 16)
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12 and Week 16
Effect of DGE and CQE on participants Body Fat percentage
The body fat percentage (%) was measured using an impedance meter at baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12 and Week 16
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12 and Week 16
Effect of DGE and CQE on participants Lipid Profile
Blood lipid levels (cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL-c) will be measured in blood samples taken from each participant after a 12-hour fast at baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12 and Week 16 using ChronoLab commercial kits according to the protocol of the manufacturers. LDL-c will be assessed using the Friedewald et al. formula. LDL-c = Plasma-c - HDL-c - Total Plasma triglyceride/5 Unit of measure: mg/dL
Time frame: Baseline (Week 0), Week 4, Week 8, Week 12 and Week 16
PDFs hosted by the registry, ClinicalTrials.gov.
Plan to share: Yes — Metabolic parameters (Blood sugar, Blood lipid), Anthroprmetric measures (height, weight, BMI and body fat percentage) DPP-4 and GLP-1 levels data collected through out the study
This study is active, not recruiting, as verified in May 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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University of Yaounde 1