The Study On Anti-obesity Function And Chemical Compositions Of A Formula Composed Of Aromatic Plants

Human beings are severely suffering from obesity and obesity complications contemporarily. Plant-derived medicine becomes increasingly attractive to scientists and doctors, since it suggests a safer, healthier and more efficient way of curing obesity, while general treatments like chemical drugs often bring unbearable side-effects. This study is to investigate on the anti-obese effects and the chemical compositions of the water extract from compound aromatic plants that the tested formula is composed of.PartⅠ: Pharmacodynamic experiments on anti-obese effects. Methods: The water extract was obtained exclusively. The model of diet-induced obese rats was meanwhile prepared by feeding with high-fat diet for five weeks, then three different doses (4000, 2000, 500mg·kg-1) of the extract were administered respectively by three groups by gavage for another five weeks. The body weight, body fat, obesity index and Lee's index were measured. The serum activities of leptin(LEP), superoxide dismutase(SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC) and the four regular testing items of blood-lipid including total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL) were assayed by reliable reagent kits. Adipose tissue paraffin sections were examined under a light microscope. The pharmacodynamic mechanism of the extract was substantially analyzed. Results: All doses(4000, 2000, 500mg·kg-1)of the extract can significantly decrease body weight and body fat of obese rats, and the high dose performs best with obesity index remarkably decreased. All doses of the extract can significantly decrease the concentration of serum LEP, with dose-dependent effects. The blood-lipid indexes of the obese group exceed considerably than the blank control group. The size of lipocytes of the high dose becomes smaller while the quantity of which in unit microscopic field gets larger markedly. All doses can significantly increase the serum activities of SOD and T-AOC, and decrease MDA levels, with dose-dependent effects. Conclusion: The water extract from the compound aromatic plants of the tested formula in this study functions well on weight control of diet-induced obese rats probably by means of decreasing content of LEP and blood-lipid as well as promoting fat consumption. The formula also demonstrates distinctive anti-oxidation activity, which is highly correlated with and in turn likely to enhance the anti-obese effects.PartⅡ: Chemical analysis of the water extract. Methods: The content of flavonoids in the water extract is examined comparing optical density values (OD370nm) with rutin as the standard sample by spectrophotometer. Ultra high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS) was utilized to evaluate the chemical components. Results: The content of flavonoids in the water extract is 15.13%. Thanks to UPLL-MS, rosmano(l2.95%),rosmarinic acid(1.73%),luteolin-7-glucuronide(1.25%),carnoso(l0.40%) are identified from the water solution while rosmarinic acid(2.60%),quercetin(0.69%),caffeic acid(0.52%),chlorogenic acid(0.29%)are identified from the methanol solution.Regarding the genre of aromatic plants, researching emphasis is mostly put on their essential oils rather than water-soluble decoctions which are generally wasted as garbage directly. The findings above imply that the water extract of the tested formula contains many valuable substances of high biological activities. This study provides solid basis and sound reference for comprehensive development of the resources of aromatic plants. The formula itself as well shows promising value of further application for losing weight.