title: Effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa on obesity in MSG mice.
abstract: The aim of the present investigation was determine whether a standardized Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces aqueous extract has an effect on body weight in an obese animal model induced by the administration of monosodium glutamate. Hibiscus sabdariffa aqueous extract, containing 33.64 mg of total anthocyanins per each 120 mg of extract, was orally administered (120 mg/kg/day) for 60 days to healthy and obese mice, and body weight gain, food and liquid intake, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), cholesterol, and triglycerides levels were measured. Hibiscus sabdariffa administration significantly reduced body weight gain in obese mice and increased liquid intake in healthy and obese mice. ALT levels were significantly increased on the 15th and 45th days in obese mice, but AST levels did not show significant changes. Mortality was not observed in the Hibiscus sabdariffa treated groups. Triglycerides and cholesterol levels showed non-significant reductions in animals treated with Hibiscus sabdariffa. Our data confirm the anti-obesity effect of Hibiscus sabdariffa reported by the Mexican population.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Farmacología, Dpto. Ciencias de la Salud. D.C.B.S. Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Iztapalapa, Mexico. aaasj2@prodigy.net.mx
authors.forename: Francisco J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Alarcon-Aguilar
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zamilpa
authors.forename: Ma Dolores
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Perez-Garcia
authors.forename: Julio C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Almanza-Perez
authors.forename: Eunice
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Romero-Nuñez
authors.forename: Efrain A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Campos-Sepulveda
authors.forename: Laura I
authors.initials: LI
authors.lastname: Vazquez-Carrillo
authors.forename: Ruben
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Roman-Ramos
mesh_terms: D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D000818:Animals; D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000494:pharmacology; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004326:Drinking / Q000187:drug effects; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D035264:Flowers; D031584:Hibiscus / Q000737:chemistry*; D051379:Mice; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012970:Sodium Glutamate; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D000872:Anthocyanins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase; D012970:Sodium Glutamate