Exercise training and burdock root (Arctium lappa L.) extract independently improve abdominal obesity and sex hormones in elderly women with metabolic syndrome

Abstract

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) is increasing among the elderly, and new lifestyle-based treatment strategies are warranted. We conducted a randomized, double-blind controlled trial of the effects of aquatic exercise (AE) and/or consumption of burdock root extract (BE) on body composition and serum sex hormones, i.e., testosterone, estradiol, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEA-S) in elderly women with MS. The percentage of abdominal fat was decreased in the AE group. Waist circumference was increased in the control (CON) group, but not in the other groups. SHBG and estradiol levels were enhanced by both AE and BE and correlated with changes in fat-related body composition. DHEA-S levels only increased in the BE group, which was consistent with changes in lean body mass. Testosterone levels decreased in the CON group, which correlated with changes in lean body mass, skeletal muscle mass, body fat, and waist circumference. Our findings suggested that the combined AE/BE intervention exerted no synergistic and/or additive effects on any sex-related outcome measures in elderly women with MS.

The Combined Intervention of Aqua Exercise and Burdock Extract Synergistically Improved Arterial Stiffness: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial

“…The burdock extract was prepared according to a method previously described by our research group [ 20 , 21 , 25 ]. In brief, after harvest in the Sangcheong region (Gyeongnam, Korea), the burdock root was washed and dried, subsequently heated at 100 °C for 3 h, and extracted at 0.7 kg/cm 2 pressure.…”

“…Exercise is well-known as an effective treatment for MS and CVD [ 18 ]. Notably, aqua exercise is an ideal form of exercise for overweight and older women, as it is a systemic exercise in which the buoyancy of water decreases the body weight by 90%, thus minimizing the risk of injury [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. In previous studies on older women, aqua exercise was shown to effectively improve blood pressure, insulin resistance, and CVD risk factors [ 22 , 23 ].…”

“…Recently, as a combined treatment approach involving exercise and nutrition, studies have actively investigated natural products with converged efforts. Burdock is a plant species from the Asteraceae family, which has long been used as food in East Asian regions, including Korea, China, and Japan [ 20 , 21 , 24 , 25 ]. Burdock has an 80% water content and is enriched with carbohydrates and dietary fibers.…”

Arctium lappa (Burdock): Insights from ethnopharmacology potential, chemical constituents, clinical studies, pharmacological utility and nanomedicine

“…A randomized, double-blind, controlled study was assessed to evaluate the effects of aquatic exercise and A. lappa root extract consumption on abdominal obesity and sex hormones in elderly women with metabolic syndrome. The combined effect of aquatic exercise and A. lappa root extract consumption exerted no synergistic and/or additive effects on any sex-related outcome measures in women with metabolic syndrome [21]. Clinical studies of A. lappa and its products against different ailments are shown in Fig.…”

“…Randomized clinical studies have also been conducted to evaluate the potential of burdock against certain diseases such as influenza [16], viral pneumonia [17], Covid-19 [18], Acne vulgaris [19], knee osteoarthritis [20], and abdominal obesity [21]. Moreover, A. lappa L. has had a significant impact in the field of nanotechnology, contributing to antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-diabetic nanomedicine.…”