Background: Obesity is a global health problem, increasing susceptibility to type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Varieties of products have been proposed as treatment with varying degrees of success. Recent studies, suggested Oligonol; an optimized phenolic product mixture from lychee fruit polyphenols (LFP); as such treatment in Japanese population.

Aim: to investigate the possible ameliorative effects of oligonol on blood pressure, measures of obesity, insulin resistance by (HOMA-IR), lipids profile, and leptin in healthy overweight and obese Saudi females.

Methods: Sixty obese and overweight healthy Saudi females; (aged 20-34 years); were recruited for the study. Blood pressure (BP), height, weight, waist circumference (WC) were measured, and glucose, triglycerides, total and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), insulin and leptin were assayed in fasting serum samples. LDL- cholesterol, HOMA-IR were calculated by equation. Dietary intake and lifestyle habits were recorded by questionnaire. Subjects were divided into two groups with equal mean body mass index (BMI), in a double-blind /Case - Control study design. Group A (GA) was given placebo, and group B (GB) was given oligonol.Both groupswere followed for three months, with all measurements were repeated at the end of the study.

Results: Some subjects were excluded for various reasons, leaving 25 in GA, and 22 in GB.  Therefore, the two groups differed significantly in recalculated mean BMI at zero time (29.30±3.97 for GA, and 31.63±4.16 for GB, P=0.046).  No side effects or significant differences in diet or lifestyle were found at the end of the study. Oligonol prevented weight gain in GB, unlike to that noted in control group (GA), which exhibited significant increase in mean weight (P= 0.036), WC (P=0.027), HC (P= 0.047), and leptin (P <0.001).Mean triglycerides was significantly increased in GA (P= 0.011), and decreased in GB (P= 0.008). Percentage of subjects with high diastolic BP (DBP) in GB decreased significantly from 36% to 9% (P=0.031)

Discussion and conclusion: Oligonol supplement succeeded in ameliorating risk factors for T2DM in obese Saudi females by controlling abdominal obesity, and DBP, and decreasing hypertriglyceridemia without dietary restriction or lifestyle modification, and without any noted adverse side effects. Therefore, it could be suggested as safe future hypolipidemic and weight controlling agent for overweight and obese Saudi females.

Oligonol supplementation ameliorates risk factors of type II diabetes mellitus in overweight and obese Saudi females