title: Aqueous and methanol extracts of Vernonia amygdalina leaves exert their anti-obesity effects through the modulation of appetite-regulatory hormones.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aqueous and methanol extracts of Vernonia amygdalina Del. (Asteraceae) (AEVA and MEVA, respectively) leaves are reported to possess anti-obesity properties, exerted through unknown mechanisms.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated the effects of AEVA and MEVA on relevant hormones and enzymes in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-two Wistar rats were placed into seven groups. The test groups received 100 mg/kg.bw AEVA (AEVA100), 500 mg/kg.bw AEVA (AEVA500), 50 mg/kg.bw MEVA (MEVA50) and 200 mg/kg.bw MEVA (MEVA200), respectively. The positive control (PC) group received 20 mg/kg.bw Orlistat, while the negative control (NeC) and normal control (NoC) groups received distilled water. The extracts were given orally daily for 12 weeks. Thereafter, the concentrations/activities of relevant hormones/enzymes in their sera were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Insulin concentrations (ng/ml) in the test groups ranged from 1.08 ± 0.01 (AEVA100) to 1.09 ± 0.01 (AEVA500). They were all similar (p > .05) to the NoC and PC controls. Leptin concentrations (pg/ml) in the test rats ranged from 0.02 ± 0.01 (AEVA500) to 0.03 ± 0.00 (MEVA50), and were all similar to the NoC group. The ghrelin concentrations of only the AEVA500 and MEVA200 groups were similar to those of the PC group (0.10 ± 0.01 pg/ml). AEVA100 and MEVA200 resulted in adiponectin concentrations (ng/ml) of the rats (0.27 ± 0.04 and 0.28 ± 0.04 respectively) that were similar to the PC group. The activities of lipoprotein lipase and the concentrations of intestinal amylase in the test rats were similar to values obtained for the control groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Appetite regulation may be the mechanism through which the weight-loss properties of AEVA and MEVA are expressed.
authors: a Department of Biochemistry , College of Natural Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture , Umudike , Abia State , Nigeria.|b Department of Chemistry/Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology , Federal University Ndufu-Alike , Ikwo , Ebonyi State , Nigeria.
authors: Chima A
authors: CA
authors: Egedigwe
authors: a Department of Biochemistry , College of Natural Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture , Umudike , Abia State , Nigeria.
authors: Ifeoma I
authors: II
authors: Ijeh
authors: a Department of Biochemistry , College of Natural Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture , Umudike , Abia State , Nigeria.
authors: Polycarp N
authors: PN
authors: Okafor
authors: a Department of Biochemistry , College of Natural Sciences, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture , Umudike , Abia State , Nigeria.|c Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences , Federal University Ndufu-Alike , Ikwo , Ebonyi State , Nigeria.
authors: Chukwunonso E C C
authors: CE
authors: Ejike
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D059305:Diet, High-Fat / Q000009:adverse effects; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D020738:Leptin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D000432:Methanol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D035741:Vernonia; D014867:Water / Q000008:administration & dosage
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D054439:Ghrelin; D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014867:Water; D000432:Methanol
keywords: Appetite regulation; Vernonia amygdalina; high-fat diet; obesity; phytochemicals