Herbal Medicines for Weight Loss and Lipid Profile Improvement: A Scoping Review of Therapeutic Effects and Safety

Abstract

The demand for alternative weight loss therapies has surged, with herbal medicinal products gaining popularity due to their natural origins, perceived safety, and accessibility. However, evidence regarding their therapeutic effects and safety for weight loss remains limited. Thefore, this study aimed to identify herbal medicines used for weight loss and their efficacy and safety. A scoping review was conducted using PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and LILACS databases (September 2023). Studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines for weight loss in individuals aged 18 years or older were included. Study selection and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers. A total of 74 studies involving 5508 participants were included. Most studies were double-blind randomized clinical trials (n = 50) and conducted in participants diagnosed with overweight and/or obesity (n = 70), predominantly in Asia (n = 40). The duration of interventions ranged from 10 to 613 days. The most frequently evaluated herbal medicines were Camellia sinensis (n = 16), Ephedra sp. (n = 13), Garcinia cambogia (n = 9), Citrus sp. (n = 5), and Glycyrrhiza sp. (n = 5). Five studies conducted post-intervention follow-ups. Only 10 studies did not report improvements in any parameter. Adverse events ranged from mild symptoms (e.g., headache) to severe reactions (e.g., increased blood pressure), with Ephedra sp. being linked to the most serious events. In conclusion, herbal medicinal products may offer benefits for weight loss. However, their use should be approached cautiously due to potential safety concerns.