Reduction of fat storage in mice fed a high-fat diet long term by treatment with saponins prepared from Kochia scoparia fruit.
The fresh fruit (Japanese name, Tonburi) of Kochia scoparia has been used as a food garnish in Japanese-style dishes from ancient times, and may prevent metabolic syndromes such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, obesity and atherosclerosis. This study was performed to clarify whether an ethanol extract of K. scoparia fruit prevented obesity induced in mice by a high-fat diet for 9 weeks. The ethanol extract of K. scoparia fruit prevented the increases in body weight and parametrial adipose tissue weight induced by the high-fat diet. Furthermore, consumption of a high-fat diet containing 1% or 3% K. scoparia extract significantly increased the fecal content and the fecal triacylglycerol level at day 3 compared with those in the high-fat diet group. The ethanol extract (250 mg/kg) and total saponins (100 mg/kg) of K. scoparia inhibited the elevation of the plasma triacylglyccerol level 2 or 3 h after the oral administration of the lipid emulsion. Total saponins, momordin Ic, 2'-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl momordin Ic and 2'-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl momordin IIc isolated from K. scoparia fruit inhibited the pancreatic lipase activity (in vitro). These findings suggest that the anti-obesity actions of K. scoparia extract in mice fed a high-fat diet may be partly mediated through delaying the intestinal absorption of dietary fat by inhibiting pancreatic lipase activity.
Han
Li-Kun
LK
Department of Environmental and Symbiotic Sciences, Prefectural University of Kumamoto, Tsukide 3-1-100, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto 862-8502, Japan.
Nose
Rumiko
R
Li
Wei
W
Gong
Xiao-Jie
XJ
Zheng
Yi-Nan
YN
Yoshikawa
Masayuki
M
Koike
Kazuo
K
Nikaido
Tamotsu
T
Okuda
Hiromichi
H
Kimura
Yoshiyuki
Y
D000818:Animals; D027467:Bassia scoparia / Q000737:chemistry*; D050218:Body Fat Distribution; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D008049:Lipase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D008099:Liver / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D010179:Pancreas / Q000201:enzymology; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012503:Saponins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000032:analysis
D004041:Dietary Fats; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012503:Saponins; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D008049:Lipase