title: Anti-obesity effects of onion extract in Zucker diabetic fatty rats.
abstract: Anti-obesity effects of onion extract were determined in obesity and diabetes-prone Zucker diabetic fatty rats by measuring the efficacy of markers concerned with diabetes and obesity. Body and adipose tissue weights in 5% of onion extract-fed group were found to be significantly lower than the control group without onion extract. Fasting blood glucose and HOMA-IR levels were also improved, although the serum insulin and leptin levels did not show any remarkable difference. Serum triglyceride and free fatty acid levels in both the 3% and 5%-fed group were found to be reduced compared to the control group. Additionally the feeding of the onion extract increased the glucose tolerance. These results suggest that dietary onion extract is beneficial for improving diabetes by decreasing lipid levels. We also examined differentiation ability of rat white preadipocyte cells using the onion extract and its sulfur-containing components. Cycloalliin, S-methyl-L-cysteine, S-propyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide, dimethyl trisulfide, especially S-methyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide were reported to be effective in inhibiting formation of oil drop in the cells, suggesting that these compounds may be involved in the anti-obesity effect of the onion extract.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Agriculture, Yamagata University, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-8555, Japan. o.yoshinari@ryusendo.co.jp
authors.forename: Orie
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yoshinari
authors.forename: Yoshiaki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shiojima
authors.forename: Kiharu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Igarashi
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000187:drug effects; D050156:Adipogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified / Q000097:blood; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019697:Onions / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D011924:Rats, Zucker; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D001786:Blood Glucose; D005230:Fatty Acids, Nonesterified; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014280:Triglycerides