Clinical trial shows Cirpusins supplementation safe and effective for weight management

Cirpusins (Cyperus rotundus) demonstrates safety and efficacy as a natural alternative for weight management in obese individuals, a new study shows.¹ The branded ingredient from health sciences company Sabinsa contains 6–8% stilbenes has previously been demonstrated in preclinical studies to reduce weight gain. The study noted that obesity is a major health concern globally, and plant-derived products for obesity have gained attention for their potential as low cost, effective alternatives with fewer side effects. The study, “Efficacy and safety of Cyperus rotundus extract on weight management in obese individuals: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study,” was published in Medicine in November 2025. Cyperus rotundus is also known as nutgrass.

Study design: measuring weight loss

The 90-day trial involved 96 obese individuals, between 21 and 55 years, who received either 500 mg CRE (Cirpusins) twice daily, or a placebo. In addition to the extract, 5 mg of BioPerine (Piper nigrum), another branded weight management ingredient from Sabinsa, was included to act as a bioavailability enhancer.

All participants were also given an exercise and diet regimen (30 minutes of walking for five days per week). Primary measurements in the study included body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference, and waist–hip ratio (WHR). Secondary measurements included serum lipid parameters, Apolipoprotein B-100, calorie intake, and physical activity.

Results: reductions in crucial measurements

Individuals in the CREP group (the Cirpusins and BioPerine formulation) demonstrated greater reductions in several measurements than the placebo group.

Highlighted results include:

• For body weight, a 7.1% and 2.6% reduction from baseline was demonstrated at the end of 90 days in the test group and placebo group, respectively
• The mean reduction of BMI was 3.74% and 6.9% after 60 days and 90 days for the test group, compared to 1.49% at 60 days and 2.7% at 90 days for the placebo group
• The test group also demonstrated greater WC reduction (6.8%) compared with placebo
• Serum lipids TC and TG were also significantly decreased in the test group compared with placebo by the end of the study
• A significant decrease in Apolipoprotein B, a biomarker for cardiovascular diseases and metabolic syndrome, was seen in the test group by the end of the study

The reduction in WHR for the test group was greater than the placebo group (6.6%) though not significantly. In the test group, 43 of 48 participants (89.5%) achieved the clinically significant threshold of 5% weight loss, compared to 6 of 48 participants (12.5%) in the placebo group. The threshold is meaningful for improving metabolic health.

No major adverse events were reported. “The findings demonstrate that CREP is a safe and effective natural supplement for reducing abdominal obesity and improving lipid profiles,” the researchers concluded. “The observed benefits surpassed those of lifestyle management alone, supporting the potential development of CREP as a natural therapeutic option for weight management in obese individuals.”

Sabinsa’s weight management branded ingredients

Sabinsa’s weight management portfolio also includes ForsLean (Coleus forskolii), Citrin (Garcinia cambogia), GarCitrin (Garcinia cambogia standardized for garcinol and HCA), LeanGard (a proprietary blend of GarCitrin, ForsLean, and BioPerine), and Fabenol (Phaseolus vulgaris).

“For over 30 years, Sabinsa has been a pioneering leader in weight-management research, beginning with our early studies on Citrin,” stated Shaheen Majeed, Sabinsa’s global CEO and managing director, in a December 8 press release.² “We confirmed early on that the traditional botanicals used in Ayurveda through the ages also provided benefits in related areas of concern for overweight individuals, such as lipid management. This published research adds to the body of science Sabinsa has been proud to produce over the decades.”

References

1. Majeed, A.; Majeed, S.; Devarajan, TV.; Narasinga, Rao SSVV.; Gudimallam, S.; Ramanujappa,M.; Thazhathidath, S.; Mundkur, L. Efficacy and safety of Cyperus rotundus extract on weight management in obese individuals: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Medicine. 2025. 104(27). DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000045666.
2. Sabinsa. Efficacy & Safety of Sabinsa’s Cirpusins® for Weight Management Demonstrated in Published Study. December 8, 2025. https://sabinsa.com/press-release/efficacy-safety-of-sabinsas-cirpusins-for-weight-management-demonstrated-in-published-study (Accessed 2025-12-08).