Efficacy and safety of semaglutide on weight loss in obese or overweight patients without diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objectives: This study aims to explore the weight loss effect and safety of semaglutide as a conventional anti-obesity drug systematically in obese or overweight patients without diabetes. Methods: The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of semaglutide in obese or overweight patients without diabetes were retrieved from PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and ClinicalTrials.gov from database inception until 2 May 2022. Data extraction and quality assessment of studies meeting the inclusion criteria were performed, and statistical analysis was conducted by Review Manager 5.3 and Stata 14. Results: Eight studies involving 4,567 patients were enrolled in the meta-analysis. Compared with placebo, semaglutide induced a significant body weight loss (MD: -10.09%; 95% CI: -11.84 to -8.33; p ˂ 0.00001), elicited a larger reduction in body mass index (MD: -3.71 kg/m2; 95% CI: -4.33 to -3.09; p ˂ 0.00001) and waist circumference (MD: -8.28 cm; 95% CI: -9.51 to -7.04; p ˂ 0.00001), achieved weight loss of more than 5, 10, 15, and 20% with a higher proportion of participants. Semaglutide exhibited a positive effect on blood pressure, C-reactive protein, and lipid profiles, expressed more adverse effects than placebo, mainly gastrointestinal reactions. The results were stable and reliable with dose-dependence. Conclusion: Semaglutide indicated a significant weight loss with an acceptable safety for obese or overweight patients without diabetes.

Synthesis of CBD and Its Derivatives Bearing Various C4'-Side Chains with a Late-Stage Diversification Method.

A novel synthetic route for making (-)-CBD and its derivatives bearing various C4'-side chains is developed by a late-stage diversification method. Starting from commercially available phloroglucinol, the key intermediate (-)-CBD-2OPiv-OTf is efficiently and regioselectively prepared and further undergoes Negishi cross-coupling to furnish (-)-CBD. This approach allowed an efficient synthesis of (-)-CBD in a five-step total 52% yield on a 10 g scale. Furthermore, diversification on the C4'-side chain with this method can be realized in a wide range.