The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 100 participants concluded that the CKDB-322 formulation was well tolerated and produced statistically significant improvements in multiple adiposity-related outcomes after a 12-week intervention period.
Although preclinical models have previously indicated the anti-obesity potential of CKDB-322, human evidence has remained limited.
This first clinical study found supplemented participants experienced reductions in body weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR). Serum triglycerides and leptin levels also decreased significantly compared to the placebo group.
Further, exploratory microbiome profiling revealed a selective increase in Lactobacillus and an attenuation of excessive short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) elevations, suggesting that CKDB322 may influence the gut–adipose metabolic axis.
“Taken together, these findings suggest that CKDB-322 may serve as a safe and supportive functional ingredient contributing to adiposity management and metabolic health in overweight adults,” the researchers wrote.
Bioactives combined
CKDB-322 combines two bioactive components previously shown to influence lipid metabolism and adiposity in preclinical studies.
L. plantarum Q180 has demonstrated anti-obesity effects across multiple experimental models by inhibiting adipocyte differentiation, reducing lipid droplet formation in 3T3-L1 cells, decreasing adipocyte size in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice and improving circulating lipid parameters.
P. tricornutum is a unicellular marine diatom known for its rich nutritional profile, including long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality protein, dietary fiber, essential minerals and various carotenoid pigments such as fucoxanthin.
Fucoxanthin exerts anti-obesity effects via several mechanisms, including reduced lipid accumulation, inhibition of lipogenic gene expression, enhanced fatty acid oxidation and the promotion of uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1) mediated thermogenesis.
Recent evidence from a randomized clinical trial of a standardized P. tricornutum extract indicated its beneficial effects on metabolic health indicators, including serum lipid profiles.
Study details
The single-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial was conducted at the Korean Medicine Hospitals of Woosuk University over a 12-week period.
Researchers enrolled 100 adults between the ages of 19 and 65 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 25–30 kg/m2 and a waist circumference of ≥90 cm for men or ≥85 cm for women.
Half of participants were randomly assigned to receive either CKDB-322 (1.0 × 109 CFU of L. plantarum Q180 and 200 mg of P. tricornutum) daily and the other half a placebo.
Before randomization, participants underwent a two-week run-in period where they practiced basic dietary and lifestyle adjustments. Anthropometric measures were similar between the groups prior to intervention.
During the intervention, both groups received standardized guidance on diet and physical activity. Participants were advised to reduce their daily energy intake by approximately 500 calories, to follow a carbohydrate restricted diet and to engage in regular physical activity.
Dietary intake and physical activity were monitored and were generally comparable between the groups during intervention.
Resulting data indicated that body fat mass significantly decreased in both groups, but the magnitude of change was significantly greater in the CKDB-322 group.
Body fat percentage declined in both groups, with a significantly larger reduction in the CKDB-322 group.
In contrast, the 12 week change in lean body mass did not differ significantly between groups, indicating that fat reduction occurred without a loss of lean tissue.
Regional fat distribution reductions were consistently greater in the CKDB-322 group than in the placebo group .
Anthropometric outcomes including body weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and WHR demonstrated favorable changes in the CKDB-322 group.
“Overall, these findings suggest that CKDB-322 is a promising and safe functional ingredient for managing adiposity in overweight adults,” the researchers wrote “Future studies examining longterm effects and including broader populations are essential.”
Source: Nutrients, 2026, 18(2), 250. doi: 10.3390/nu18020250, “Efficacy and Safety of CKDB-322, a Combination of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Q180 and Phaeodactylum tricornutum, for Reducing Body Fat and Abdominal Adiposity in Overweight Adults”. Baek, H.-I., Kwon, S.-Y., Noh, H.-J., & Park, S. J.
