Ancient herb huangjing put to the test against hidden belly fat

NCT ID NCT07759323

Disease control Sponsor: Zhejiang Provincial Tongde Hospital Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Aug 12, 2026 · Last updated Aug 13, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tests whether a traditional Chinese herb called Polygonatum sibiricum, or Huangjing, can help reduce visceral fat—the deep belly fat around organs that raises risks for diabetes, fatty liver, and heart disease. Adults with visceral obesity will receive either the herb plus lifestyle advice or lifestyle advice alone for 12 weeks. Researchers will measure changes in visceral fat, weight, blood sugar, cholesterol, and liver fat, and explore how gut bacteria might play a role.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: Polygonatum sibiricum (Huangjing) herbal decoction, 15 g daily for 12 weeks, plus lifestyle advice
What this could lead to: If effective, this herb could offer a natural, accessible option to help reduce visceral fat and lower risks of diabetes and heart disease.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage trial with 66 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The herb's effects and safety need more research.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Not a phased trial

Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.

Participants

About 66 people

The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.

Expected to start

Aug 2026

An estimate. Start dates often move.

Expected to finish

Jul 2027

An estimate. End dates often move.

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 to 65 years

Sex

Anyone

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 to 65 years, male or female; * Body mass index (BMI) ≥ 24 kg/m², or body fat percentage ≥ 25% for males or ≥ 30% for females, and visceral fat area ≥ 100 cm²; * Body weight stable within the past 3 months, with fluctuation not exceeding 5%; * Able to understand the study content, voluntarily sign the informed consent form, and willing to complete follow-up visits and required examinations as scheduled. Exclusion Criteria: * Secondary obesity (e.g., caused by endocrine disorders such as hypothyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, or polycystic ovary syndrome); * Previous metabolic surgery or current use of weight-loss medications; * Concomitant severe hyperglycemia or lipid metabolism disorders requiring immediate intensive treatment; * Concomitant severe cardiovascular or cerebrovascular disease, or unstable medical condition; * Significant hepatic or renal dysfunction (e.g., ALT or AST \> 2-3 times the upper limit of normal, or eGFR \< 60 ml/min/1.73 m²); * Malignant tumors, active infections, or autoimmune diseases; * Use of antibiotics, probiotics, or other agents that may affect gut microbiota within the past month; * Pregnancy, lactation, or plans for pregnancy; * Allergy to or intolerance of any component of the investigational product; * Any other conditions deemed unsuitable for participation in this study by the investigator.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

abdominal obesity-metabolic syndrome metabolic syndrome X Obesity, Abdominal

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Metabolic syndrome Visceral obesity

How to take part

Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.

The places running it

1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
The official record

ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.

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A doctor treating you

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Ancient herb huangjing put to the test against hidden belly fat

What the study statuses mean