Herbal antihyperlipidemic formulation of cocoa tea: Preparation and &lt;i&gt;in vivo&lt;/i&gt; comparison with atorvastatin

Jing Li,Rui-Min Wang,Li Zhang,Jin-Ying Zhang,Yi-Qiang Yuan,Hua Zhang,Yu-Jie Zhao,Li Yu,Jia-Jian Dong

doi:10.4314/tjpr.v15i12.2

Abstract

Purpose: To prepare and characterize a formulation containing an ethanol extract of Camellia ptilophylla leaves (cocoa tea), with a focus on antihyperlipidemic and anti-obesity activities.Methods: An aloe vera–based formulation of an ethanol extract of cocoa tea (C. ptilophylla) was prepared. The formulation was given orally at 400 mg/kg daily to obese (high-fat diet–induced) mice for 1 month, and body weight as well as total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and VLDL cholesterol levels were determined and compared with those of control and standard groups (the latter mice received atorvastatin at 400 mg/kg daily).Results: At the end of treatment, the standard group exhibited 64.65 % reduction in body weight gain and the test group exhibited 48.87 % reduction, compared with control. The group that received the formulation had significantly lower levels of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol, and a higher level of HDL cholesterol.Conclusion: The formulation of an ethanolic extract of cocoa tea leaves seems to exert antihyperlipidemic and anti-obesity activities comparable to those of a modern lipid-lowering agent (atorvastatin) in mice. Thus, this natural remedy has the potential to prevent or delay hyperlipidemia and the cardiovascular complications associated with diet-induced obesity.Keywords: Obesity, Lipid profile, Cocoa tea (Camellia ptilophylla) leaves, Weight management, Herbal formulation, Antihyperlipidemic, Anti-obesity

Highlights

Obesity is one of the most common global health problems
Hyperlipidemia comprises a heterogeneous group of disorders, characterized by high blood levels of one or more lipids and/or lipoproteins [atherogenic free fatty acids, triglycerides (TGs; hypertriglyceridemia), small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; hypercholesterolemia), and apolipoprotein B] and/or low levels of anti-atherogenic high- density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) [1]
We explored the anti-obesity and antihyperlipidemic activities of an aloe vera– based formulation of an ethanolic extract of cocoa tea leaves in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese and hyperlipidemic mice

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is one of the most common global health problems. The condition is associated with abnormal levels of blood lipids (hyperlipidemia) and lipoproteins (hyperlipoproteinemia). Herbal drugs and products used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have been reported to control and manage hyperlipidemia and weight [5]. Various studies have found that cocoa tea exerts profound cytotoxic effects on various cancer cell lines and significantly reduces plasma TG levels in hyperlipidemic mice [9,10]. The present investigation involved the preparation and evaluation of a formulation of an ethanolic extract of cocoa tea leaves, with a focus on antihyperlipidemic and anti-obesity activities. Hyperlipidemia was induced in all other groups by feeding a high-fat diet (HFD) containing 21 % w/w butterfat and 0.15 % cholesterol (diet SF00-219; Specialty Foods) for 1 month before the study. Group II (obese control) mice received no treatment.

RESULTS

DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION

Conflict of Interest