Abstract
Lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora) has been used as a food spice, cosmetic, and in traditional medicine formulations to treat asthma and diabetes in South America and Southern Europe. Hibiscus flower (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is used in traditional Chinese medicine in the form of a tea to treat hypertension and inflammation. In the present study, we examined the synergistic effects of a formula of Metabolaid® (MetA), a combination of lemon verbena and hibiscus-flower extracts, on obesity and its complications in high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. The results showed that MetA decreased body weight, white adipose tissue (WAT), and liver weight. Additionally, serum and hepatic lipid profiles, glucose levels, glucose tolerance, and cold-induced thermogenesis were significantly improved. Appetite-regulating hormones adiponectin and leptin were significantly increased and decreased, respectively, while the inflammatory-related factors tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6 were downregulated by MetA. Adipogenesis-activating gene expression was decreased, while increased thermogenesis-inducing genes were upregulated in the WAT, correlating with increased phosphorylation of AMPK and fatty-acid oxidation in the liver. Taken together, these results suggest that MetA decreased obesity and its complications in HFD mice. Therefore, this formula may be a candidate for the prevention and treatment of obesity and its complications.
Highlights
IntroductionObesity characterized by excessive fat mass and dysregulation of lipid metabolism is a significant public-health problem worldwide, contributing to the development of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, which increase
Obesity characterized by excessive fat mass and dysregulation of lipid metabolism is a significant public-health problem worldwide, contributing to the development of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, which increaseNutrients 2018, 10, 1204; doi:10.3390/nu10091204 www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrientsNutrients 2018, 10, 1204 morbidity and mortality [1,2]
We found that MetA100 decreased the serum glucose levels and inhibited glucose elevation in Intraperitoneal Glucose Tolerance Test (IGTT)
Summary
Obesity characterized by excessive fat mass and dysregulation of lipid metabolism is a significant public-health problem worldwide, contributing to the development of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease, which increase. Nutrients 2018, 10, 1204 morbidity and mortality [1,2] Pharmacological agents such as orlistat, lorcaserin, and phentermine/topiramate have been used to treat obesity. These medications are associated with various adverse effects such as steatorrhea, insomnia, vomiting, headache, stomachache, and gastrointestinal disturbance [3]. An increasing body of evidence of the beneficial effects of botanical ingredients such as Garcinia cambogia (GC), bitter orange, and green coffee, which have shown promising results in preventing and treating obesity and its health complications [5].
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