비만 치료에 한약 추출물을 절식 보조제로 사용한 변형된 절식요법: 주제 범위 문헌 고찰

Modified Fasting Therapy Using Herbal Extract as Fasting Supplement for Obesity: A Scoping Review

Objectives: Modified fasting therapy (MFT) using herbal extracts (HE) as a fasting supplement has been utilized for obesity treatment in Korean medicine (KM). This review aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of MFT with HE on obesity, and provide a useful basis for predicting physiological changes during the treatment. Methods: Clinical studies of MFT with HE for obesity were searched from seven electronic databases up to April 30, 2024. Studies that combined other KM therapies for intervention were excluded. Outcome measures were as follows: body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), abdominal circumference (AC), lipid profile test, liver function test, renal function test, blood pressure, erythrocyte sedimentation, C-reactive protein (CRP), fast plasma glucose (FPG) and adverse events. Results: Thirteen trials with 582 patients met the inclusion criteria. Gamrosu and modified Yeonggyechulgam-tang were mainly used as fasting supplement. MFT were mainly conducted in 3 steps (relief period, fasting period, and refeeding period) while some were 4 steps including dietary period. BW, BMI, WC and AC tended to decrease. Also, triglyceride, guanosine triphosphate, blood urea nitrogen, blood urea nitrogen/creatine ratio, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, CRP and FPG showed decreasing tendency, while total bilirubin tended to increase. No significant trends were detected for other indices. Only one trial reported adverse events. Conclusions: MFT with HE might be effective and safe for obesity, and could possibly manage obesity-related symptoms such as triglyceride levels, hypertension, diabetes, and inflammation. Further statistical validation and well-designed clinical trials are needed to substantiate its therapeutic and physiological effect.