Abstract | AIM OF STUDY: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of daily administration of an aqueous extract of the dried, immature fruit of Poncirus trifoliata Raf. (Rutaceae) (PF-W) on body weight in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PF-W was used in following experiments: 10-week-long measurement of body weight and food intake, in vitro pancreatic lipase activity assay, in vivo triglyceride concentration study, and measurement of intestinal transit rate. RESULTS: A high dose of PF-W (200 mg/2 mL/animal/day, in aqueous solution) was administered intragastrically to rats for 10 weeks. PF-W suppressed body weight gain by 6%. However, administration of PF-W at a lower dose (20 mg/animal/day) did not reduce weight gain. Administration of low- or high-dose PF-W had no effect on food intake throughout the experimental period. Additional experiments revealed that the suppressive effect of PF-W on body weight gain was not related to pancreatic lipase activity. Moreover, co-administration of PF-W with a lipid emulsion did not reduce plasma triglyceride concentration. Of interest, the high dose of PF-W significantly increased the rate of intestinal transit, whereas oral administration of the lower dose did not. Control and PF-W-treated groups did not differ in hematological and serum biochemical parameters, or in relative organ weights after 10 weeks of high-dose PF-W administration. CONCLUSION: PF-W does not suppress body weight gain by interfering with fat absorption in a pancreatic lipase-dependent manner. The suppressive effect of PF-W on weight gain is likely due to the increased rate of intestinal transit, and the consequent reduction in nutrient absorption. Moreover, it appears that PF-W is relatively safe for long-term use. Taken together, the results of the present study suggest that long-term, daily administration of PF-W successfully suppressed body weight gain-apparently due to accelerated intestinal transit and not to interference with pancreatic lipase activity. Due to its apparent long-term safety, PF-W is a potential therapeutic agent for reduction of body weight in humans.
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Authors | Won-Sik Shim, Heejung Back, Eun-Kyoung Seo, Hyun-Tai Lee, Chang-Koo Shim |
Journal | Journal of ethnopharmacology
(J Ethnopharmacol)
Vol. 126
Issue 2
Pg. 294-9
(Nov 12 2009)
ISSN: 1872-7573 [Electronic] Ireland |
PMID | 19703543
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Anti-Obesity Agents
- Dietary Fats
- Plant Extracts
- Triglycerides
- Lipase
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Topics |
- Animals
- Anti-Obesity Agents
(administration & dosage, pharmacology)
- Body Weight
(drug effects)
- Dietary Fats
- Fruit
- Gastrointestinal Transit
(drug effects)
- Lipase
(metabolism)
- Male
- Obesity
(prevention & control)
- Pancreas
- Phytotherapy
- Plant Extracts
(administration & dosage, pharmacology)
- Poncirus
- Random Allocation
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Triglycerides
(blood)
- Weight Gain
(drug effects)
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