Dr. Gene Bruno

Abstract

Background • Black ginger (Kaempferia parviflora), also known as “Thai ginseng”, a
plant in the Zingiberaceae ginger family, is a traditional herbal medicine of Thailand.
The primary active constituents of black ginger are its naturally occurring
methoxyflavones, collectively referred to as polymethoxyflavones. Research has
demonstrated that black ginger polymethoxyflavones offer a range of benefits, including
fat reduction, promoting physical fitness, and supporting sexual health in men. The
primary objective of this narrative review is to evaluate available human clinical
research investigating the effects of black ginger polymethoxyflavones for fat reduction,
with a focus on the reduction of visceral fat.
Methods • This narrative review utilized searches across PubMed, Google Scholar,
Europe PMC and a private database to identify studies published ginger
polymethoxyflavones’ impact on visceral fat. Inclusion criteria prioritized clinical trials
and detailing plant bioactive compounds, dosing, and outcomes with regard to visceral
fat.
Results • There were three human clinical trials that met the inclusion criteria, including
two randomized controlled trials and one unpublished pilot study. All studies lasted 12
weeks and utilized 12 mg of polymethoxyflavones from black ginger extract. The
randomized controlled trials demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in visceral
fat area as well as reduction as in subcutaneous fat. The pilot study demonstrated a
modest reduction in visceral fat area relative to baseline and other body composition
changes.
Conclusion • The studies reviewed in this article indicate that black ginger extract,
providing a 12 mg daily dose of polymethoxyflavones may help promote the reduction of
visceral fat area. The results were statistically significant in the randomized controlled
studies. The pilot study was too small to be powered for statistical significance but
nonetheless demonstrated a notable reduction in visceral fat area. Overall, the research
suggests that supplementation with black ginger extract and its polymethoxyflavones
may represent a potential adjunctive strategy for supporting reductions in visceral
adiposity in overweight individuals.

Biography

This 28-day study was conducted as an interventional, open label, pilot trial to examine the effects of plant-based melatonin (phytomelatonin) from Somato® tomato extract (Nutraland USA) on key physiological and psychological domains associated with sleep quality, autonomic function, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Twenty-two healthy men and women (mean age: 42 years) received 2 mg of phytomelatonin daily from Somato® (a tomato extract). Using a decentralized, real-world evidence (RWE) design, the study integrated objective biometric data from Oura ring wearable devices with validated participant-reported outcomes (e.g., Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and HRQoL using Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36)) to explore tolerability, early efficacy signals, and mechanistic trends. Results were that supplementation with Somato® phytomelatonin resulted in significant improvement in: sleep latency (33%, PSQI, p=0.005; 11.55%, Oura ring, p-0.016), time awake (Oura ring, 10.08%, p=0.002), sleep efficiency (Oura ring, 1.21%, p=0.011), and the global PSQI score (14.22%, p=0.025). Significant improvement was also demonstrated in HRQoL using SF-36 for emotional well-being (8.22%, p=0.02). Other SF-36 variables showing improvements included: general health (3.22%), energy & fatigue (15.12%), limitations due to emotional problems (15.22%), pain (5.83%), social functioning (6.11%), physical function (2.81%), and limitations due to physical functioning (-9.33%). In conclusion, this pilot study found that 2 mg/day of phytomelatonin from Somato® tomato extract improved physiological and psychological domains associated with sleep quality, autonomic function, and HRQoL. Consequently, conducting a randomized controlled trial with a larger sample size is warranted to confirm beneficial findings demonstrated in the current pilot study.