Investigating the safety and effects of Mulberry Twig Alkaloids in humans

A Phase I Clinical Trial in Healthy and Overweight/Obese Subjects to Investigate the Safety, Tolerability and Pharmacokinetics of Mulberry Twig Alkaloids

This study is testing if Mulberry Twig Alkaloids tablets are safe and how they work in healthy people and those who are overweight or obese.

Quick facts

• Phase: Phase 1
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 68 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 55 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Beijing Wehand-Bio Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd (Industry-sponsored)
• Locations: 1 site (Beijing, Beijing)
• Trial ID: NCT06490263 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This Phase I clinical trial aims to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics of Mulberry Twig Alkaloids tablets (WH006) in healthy individuals as well as those who are overweight or obese. The trial is divided into three parts: the first compares the pharmacokinetics of the tablets when chewed versus swallowed after a meal; the second assesses the safety and tolerability of single ascending doses in healthy subjects; and the third examines multiple ascending doses in both healthy and overweight or obese participants. The study is conducted at Peking University First Hospital in Beijing, China.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include healthy adults aged 18-55 with a BMI between 18.5 and 24, or overweight/obese individuals with a BMI of at least 24.

Not a fit: Patients with significant medical histories or current health issues, such as heart or liver disorders, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a new treatment option for managing obesity and improving metabolic health.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is novel, similar studies investigating the pharmacokinetics of natural compounds have shown promise in other contexts.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Male or female, aged 18-55 years (both inclusive) at the time of signing informed consent.
2. Healthy volunteers,Body mass index between 18.5 and 24 kilogram per meter square (kg/m/m²) 18.5 inclusive). For obese or overweight participants, BMI must be at least 24 kg/m², with a requirement for some participants to have a BMI of 28 kg/m² or higher.
3. Subjects should have no history or current evidence of heart, liver, kidney, gastrointestinal, neurological, respiratory, psychiatric disorders, or metabolic abnormalities that the investigator deems requiring treatment. Vital signs, physical examination, laboratory tests, electrocardiogram (ECG), chest X-ray, abdominal ultrasound results should either be normal or show abnormalities that are deemed clinically insignificant by the attending physician.
4. Participants must not plan to become pregnant for six months following the last dose of the study drug, agree to use effective contraception to prevent pregnancy or causing pregnancy in their partner, and have no intention to donate sperm or eggs during the study period.
5. Individuals must comprehend the procedures and methods of this clinical trial, voluntarily participate and personally sign the informed consent form, demonstrating willingness to adhere to the protocol requirements and cooperate in providing biological samples according to the scheduled plan for testing.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Secondary obesity, including conditions such as Cushing's syndrome, hypogonadism, growth hormone deficiency, hypothalamic disorders, pseudohypoparathyroidism, insulinoma, and hypothyroidism;
2. Presence of diseases exacerbating gastrointestinal bloating (e.g., Roemheld syndrome, severe hernias, intestinal obstruction, and peptic ulcers) or chronic gastrointestinal dysfunction with evident digestion and absorption disorders;
3. Diagnosis of diabetes mellitus according to the diagnostic guidelines set forth by the World Health Organization (WHO);
4. History of atopic allergic diseases or known allergies to the investigational product, its excipients, or similar medications;
5. History of orthostatic hypotension, syncope, transient loss of vision, or severe episodes of hypoglycemia;
6. Positive test results for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), Hepatitis C virus antibody (anti-HCV), Human Immunodeficiency Virus antibody (anti-HIV), or Treponema pallidum antibody (TP-Ab).
7. Participants with a history of drug abuse within 12 months prior to screening or those with positive urine tests for prohibited drugs;
8. Individuals with a history of alcohol abuse or frequent consumption (more than 14 units of alcohol per week, with 1 unit approximately equivalent to 360ml of beer, 45ml of 40% alcohol content spirits, or 150ml of wine) within 6 months prior to screening, or those with a positive breathalyzer test at screening/baseline, or unwillingness to abstain from alcohol during the study;
9. Those who smoked an average of more than 5 cigarettes per day within 3 months prior to screening, or unwilling to quit smoking during the study;
10. Individuals who donated blood (including apheresis) or experienced significant blood loss exceeding 400ml within 3 months prior to screening, received a blood transfusion or used blood products;
11. Participants who have taken part in any clinical trial within 3 months prior to screening, or plan to participate in another trial during or within 1 month after this study;
12. Individuals with a clinically significant surgical history as judged by the investigator within the screening period, or planning elective surgery between the dosing period and up to 1 month post-dosing;
13. Those who used any prescription drugs, traditional Chinese medicine, or herbal remedies within 4 weeks prior to dosing, or within 5 half-lives of any prescribed medication (whichever is longer), and/or consumed over-the-counter drugs, health supplements (excluding routine vitamin supplementation) within 2 weeks prior to dosing; those vaccinated within 4 weeks before dosing;
14. Participants who consumed excessive amounts of tea, coffee, or caffeine-containing beverages (≥8 cups, where 1 cup = 250ml) within 2 weeks prior to dosing, or who refuse to abstain from grapefruit juice or any food and drink containing alcohol and xanthines (including chocolate, tea, coffee, cola, etc.) for 48 hours before dosing and throughout the study;
15. Individuals who have been on a diet or undergone weight loss treatments within a month prior to dosing, or have made significant changes to their lifestyle habits (diet, exercise, etc.);
16. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those of childbearing potential who had unprotected sexual intercourse within 30 days prior to screening;
17. Participants with difficult venous access, poor peripheral venous condition, or unable to tolerate multiple blood draws, or have any contraindications to blood sampling;
18. Unwillingness or inability to follow lifestyle guidance as described in the study protocol;
19. Participants who are directly involved in this trial or are relatives (spouse, parents/legal guardians, siblings, or children) of personnel from the research center or the sponsor;
20. As judged by the investigator, individuals with conditions that may affect drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, or safety assessment, or that may reduce compliance, or those whom the investigator deems to pose a safety risk by participating in the study, as well as any other circumstances rendering them unsuitable for this trial.

Where this trial is running

Beijing, Beijing

• Peking University First Hospital — Beijing, Beijing, China (Recruiting)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Ying Gao, MD — Peking University First Hospital
• Study coordinator: Zhihua Liu, PhD

Conditions Overweight and Obesity; Healthy; Obesity Management; Hypoglycemic Agents