Gamitaeeumjowee-tang for Body Fat Loss in Female Patients with Sarcopenic Obesity: A Restrospective Chart Review

Soyoung Park; Min-jeong Park; Eunjoo Kim; Young-Woo Lim; Park, Soyoung; Park, Min-jeong; Kim, Eunjoo; Lim, Young-Woo

doi:10.13048/jkm.25018

JKM > Volume 46(2); 2025 > Article

Park, Park, Kim, and Lim: Gamitaeeumjowee-tang for Body Fat Loss in Female Patients with Sarcopenic Obesity: A Restrospective Chart Review

Original Article

The Journal of Korean Medicine 2025; 46(2): 63-74.

Published online: June 1, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.25018

Gamitaeeumjowee-tang for Body Fat Loss in Female Patients with Sarcopenic Obesity: A Restrospective Chart Review

Soyoung Park¹

, Min-jeong Park¹

, Eunjoo Kim¹^{, 2}

, Young-Woo Lim¹^{, 2}^{, *}

¹Nubebe Obesity Research Institute

²Nubebe Korean Medical Clinic Bundang Center

Correspondence to: Young-Woo Lim, Nubebe Obesity Research Institue, 130 Seochojungang-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul 06634, Korea, Tel: 070-5148-7650, E-mail: cash389@hanmail.net

Received April 9, 2025 Revised April 18, 2025 Accepted May 22, 2025

Abstract

Objectives

This study aims to evaluate the effects of Gamitaeeumjowee-tang on body weight and body composition in patients with sarcopenic obesity.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted on 51 adults with sarcopenic obesity who registered for a weight loss program with Gamitaeeumjowee-tang for 12 weeks. Body weight, body composition including body fat mass and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index was measured before and after the intervention.

Results

A total of 51 patients were included in this study. After 12 weeks of treatment, the average weight loss rate was 6.52±3.4% (p<0.001) and body fat mass was significantly decreased by 15.85±8.4% (p<0.001). While fat free mass, skeletal muscle mass and appendicular skeletal muscle mass index showed no significant changes. The number of patients with sarcopenic obesity significantly decreased from 51 to 20 (60.8%, p<0.001). No serious adverse events were reported.

Conclusions

Gamitaeeumjowee-tang reduced body fat without compromising muscle mass in female patients with sarcopenic obesity. This suggests Gamitaeeumjowee-tang could be a promising treatment option, but further research including muscle strength assessments and additional interventions is needed.

Keywords: Sarcopenia, Obesity, Weight loss, Gamitaeeumjowee-tang

Fig. 1

Flowchart of a retrospective chart review

Table 1

Composition of Gamitaeeumjowee-tang

Ingredient	Dose (g)/day
Ephedrae Herba	16.0–24.0
Rehmanniae Radix Preparat	8.0
Coicis Semen	8.0
Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens	4.0
Acori Gramineri Rhizoma	3.3
Zizyphi Semen	3.3
Alismatis Rhizoma	2.6
Scutellariae Radix	1.3
Schizandrae Fructus	1.3
Puerariae Radix	1.3
Asparagi Tuber	1.3
Angelicae Tenuissimae Radix	1.3
Longanae Arillus	1.3
Castanea Mollissima	1.3
Liriopis Tuber	1.3
Total Amount	55.6–63.6

Table 2

Baseline Characteristics

Variables	Total (n=51)
Age (years)	37.08±11.0
Female (%)	51 (100%)
Body weight (kg)	56.76±3.0
ASMI (kg/m²)	5.49±0.1
BMI (kg/m²)	23.03±1.5
Skeletal muscle mass (kg)	18.24±1.0
Fat free mass (kg)	34.46±1.8
Body fat mass (kg)	22.30±2.6
Percentage of body fat (%)	39.21±3.1
Days of drug (day)	87.94±3.6

Data are expressed mean±standard deviation.

ASMI: appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, BMI: body mass index

Table 3

Body Weight and Body Composition Change after taking Gamitaeeumjowee-tang

Variables	Initial value	Final value	Change
Body weight (kg)	56.76±3.0	53.06±3.4	3.70±1.0^*
ASMI (kg/m²)	5.49±0.1	5.49±0.2	0.01±0.2
BMI (kg/m²)	23.03±1.5	21.52±1.5	1.52±0.8^*
Skeletal muscle mass (kg)	18.24±1.0	18.15±1.1	0.09±0.6
Fat free mass (kg)	34.46±1.8	34.29±1.9	0.16±1.0
Body fat mass (kg)	22.30±2.6	18.77±2.9	3.53±1.9^*
Percentage of body fat (%)	39.21±3.1	35.23±3.7	3.97±2.5^*

Data are expressed mean±standard deviation.

ASMI: appendicular skeletal muscle mass index, BMI: body mass index

* P<0.001, paired t-test.

Table 4

Adverse Events Reported from 51 patients

Variables	2–6 weeks	10–14 weeks
Causality (WHO-UMC)
Possible	29(59.2)	8(50.0)
Unlikely	20(40.8)	8(50.0)
Conditional/unclassified	0(0.0)	0(0.0)
Total	49(100.0)	16(100.0)

Severity (CTCAE v5.0)
Mild (Grade 1)	48(98.0)	15(93.8)
Moderate (Grade 2)	1(2.0)	1(6.2)
Severe (Grade 3)	0
Total	49(100.0)	16(100.0)

Data are expressed in number (%).

WHO-UMC: World Health Organization-Uppsala Monitoring Centre, CTCAE: Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events.

Table 5

Adverse Events According to System Organ Classes

System-organ classes	Symptom	2–6 weeks	10–14 weeks
Gastro-intestinal system disorders	Constipation	2(4.1)	3(18.8)
	Heartburn	2(4.1)	1(6.3)
	Nausea	10(20.4)	2(12.5)

Autonomic nervous system disorders	Dry mouth	5(10.2)	0(0.0)
	Throat dry	2(4.1)	0(0.0)
	Sweating increased	3(6.1)	0(0.0)
	Palpitation	2(4.1)	1(6.3)

Central & peripheral nervous system disorders	Dizziness	2(4.1)	0(0.0)
Central & peripheral nervous system disorders	Tremor	3(6.1)	0(0.0)

Psychiatric disorders	Insomnia	10(20.4)	4(25.0)
Body as a whole - general disorders	Leg pain	0(0.0)	1(6.3)
Skin and appendages disorders	Itching	1(0.0)	0(0.0)
Reproductive disorders, female	Menstrual irregularity	2(4.1)	2(12.5)
Platelet, bleeding & clotting disorders	Anal hemorrhage	1(2.0)	0(0.0)
Cardiovascular disorders, general	Hypotension postural	1(2.0)	0(0.0)
Eye disorders	blurred vision	1(2.0)	0(0.0)
Ear and Labyrinth disorders	Tinnitus	1(2.0)	0(0.0)
Renal and urinary disorders	Urinary frequency	1(2.0)	0(0.0)
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders	Throat irritation	0(0.0)	2(12.5)

Total		49(100.0)	16(100.0)

Data are expressed in number (%).

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