Herbal products to aid weight loss: a systematic scoping review

• Grant number: 22/14640-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2023
• End date: December 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Pharmacy
• Principal Investigator: Patricia de Carvalho Mastroianni
• Grantee: Osvaldo Galo Neto
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas (FCFAR). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araraquara. Araraquara , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: The use of herbal products to aid weight loss is frequent and justified by the popular perspective that natural products do not present risks. However, there is a lack of evidence the effectiveness in the use of PBP, information about its correct use, as well as adverse event reports. Besides, when irrational and without guidance from a healthcare professional, the use of herbal products might be associated with adverse events. Objective: To know the herbal products used to aid weight loss and identify the data on efficacy, effectiveness and safety, in addition to evaluating the commercialization in Brazil of the identified herbal products on the scoping. Methodology: A systematic scoping review will be conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Lilacs databases with pre-defined Boolean operators and manual search. Studies that evaluated the mode use, efficacy, effectiveness and safety aspects of herbal products in aiding weight loss will be included. Editorials, comments, news, congress abstracts, theses, dissertations, and studies in the non-roman alphabet will be excluded. There will be no restriction on publication time or language. Two researchers, independently, will carry out the screening and selection process of the studies. The extracted variables will be: study design; country; ethical and equity considerations; financing; participants (gender, age; comorbidities and medications in use, if applicable); herbal products used, preparation form or pharmaceutical form; use mode; intervention, follow-up time and assessed outcomes; therapeutic effects; toxicity; adverse events; precautions and contraindications; and drug interactions. Expected results: Develop a conceptual framework on the use of herbal products to aid weight loss and elucidate efficacy, effectiveness and safety data in order to support phytovigilance. Finally, carry out the translation and dissemination of knowledge, democratizing science and ensuring the safe and rational use of herbal products.