Researchers in Thailand explored the effects of Asparagus officinalis supplementation alongside HIIT to investigate whether the two could work synergistically.

They reported that the combination “has the potential to improve cardiovascular and respiratory function and serve as a preventive strategy against cardiovascular and respiratory disorders in obese and overweight individuals.”

Botanical extract for cardiovascular health

High-intensity intermittent training (HIIT), which involves short bursts of intense exercise and recovery periods, has been found to improve muscle performance and cardiopulmonary fitness. However, little research has evaluated its impact on cardiovascular and pulmonary function in obese individuals, according to the researchers of the new study.

Ecdysteroids (arthropod steroid hormones) have demonstrated anabolic, fat-reducing, anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective properties, and 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), which comes from Asparagus officinalis, has been shown to improve physical performance and muscle strength in healthy populations.

Previous studies have found that 20E supplementation reduced body weight, fat, cholesterol and inflammation, and improved muscle strength and bone health in obese individuals. However, the researchers noted that no previous studies have explored the combined effects of HIIT and 20E supplementation on cardiovascular and pulmonary function in obese and overweight individuals.

Study details

The researchers recruited 72 obese and overweight male and female participants between the ages of 18 and 30 with a BMI over 22.9 kg/m². They were randomized into four groups: the control group, the HIIT group, the AOE (A. officinalis extract) group which received 1.71 mg/kg/day, and the combined HIIT and AOE group. The HIIT Program consisted of three sessions a week, and participants in the AOE and HIIT and AOE groups received capsules and logged their intake twice daily via an app.

The researchers assessed heart rate (HR), HR variability, endothelial function, blood pressure (BP), BP variability, pulmonary function and volume, respiratory muscle strength, chest expansion and body composition at the beginning of the trial and 12 weeks post-intervention.

Results indicated that combining HIIT with 20E supplementation improved heart rate variability, endothelial function andexpiratory muscle strength after 12 weeks, which in turn was found to benefit lung function and exhalation.

While the 20E group did not experience any significant changes, the researchers suggested that 20E can support molecular pathways related to protein synthesis, inflammation reduction and cardiovascular protection. These effects were more pronounced in the HIIT and AOE group, where the systems activated by the exercise potentially allowed 20E to further improve muscle remodeling, vascular function and autonomic regulation.

The HIIT and AOE groups also showed increased blood flow and enhanced vascular responsiveness, and in comparison to the HIIT group, they showed improved vasodilation, allowing for increased blood flow to tissues. The 20E group did not display significant signs of improved endothelial function.

Resting blood pressure (BP) significantly decreased only in the HIIT group, however, the researchers noted that 20E appeared to reduce BP variability further when combined with HIIT, “suggesting a synergistic effect that may help reduce BP variability”.

“A 12-week HIIT program combined with A. officinalis extract supplementation improved HR variability indices, potentially lowering cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis risk via increased endothelial function,” the researchers concluded.

“It also enhanced expiratory muscle strength, lower-chest wall expansion and, consequently, pulmonary function. The clinical implication is that utilizing HIIT in conjunction with supplementation with A. officinalis extract containing 20E at 1.71 ± 0.24 mg/kg/day daily for 12 weeks is safe and could be an option for individuals who are obese or overweight.”

They added that future research should assess blood lipid profiles, blood glucose levels and inflammatory markers in order to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms of action.

Source: Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology. 2025, 10(2), 202. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10020202. “Effects of High-Intensity Intermittent Training Combined with Asparagus officinalis Extract Supplementation on Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Function Parameters in Obese and Overweight Individuals: A Randomized Control Trial”. Authors: Padkao, T. et al.