Comparative Study on Anti-obesity Effects of Pyungwi-san, Magnolia officinalis, and Atractylodes chinensis in High-fat Diet-induced Obese Mouse Model

Abstract

Objectives Obesity is considered a global epidemic that greatly affects general population health, and there has been a growing interest in the development of anti-obesity drugs worldwide. There are many hepatic and gastrointestinal diseases for which obesity is the direct cause or is a serious risk factor. Pyungwi-san (PWS) is a traditional oriental herbal prescription used to treat gastrointestinal disorders. Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidzumi (AC) and Magnolia officinalis Rehder & E.H. Wilson (MO) are main components of PWS. In this present study, anti-obesity effects of PWS, MO, and AC were investigated in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mouse model. Methods Eight-week-old male C57BL/6N were fed 45% HFD for 8 weeks. For comparison of PWS, MO, and AC for obesity, the body weight, food intake, and white adipose tissue (WAT) weights were checked. In addition, hematoxylin and eosin staining for histological examination were performed to observe lipid droplets in epididymal WAT and liver tissue. Results Among them, AC had powerful effects on reduction of body weight, epididymal and visceral WAT weight, and regulation of the levels of serum total cholesterol and triglyceride. In addition, PWS, MO, and AC treatment ameliorated the HFD-induced histological changes in the epididymal WAT and liver tissue. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that AC has anti-obesity effects and would be evaluated as a potential treatment for obesity.