Anti-Obesity Effects of Foeniculum fructus Water Extract

Abstract

We investigated the anti-obesity effects of Foeniculum fructus water extract on body weight, epididymal adipocyte size, plasma lipid levels and activities of key enzymes such as lipoprotein lipase (LPL), acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) in high fat diet-induced obese mice. Experimental groups were normal diet group (ND), high fat diet group (HFD), high fat diet with 0.05% orlistat group (HFDO), and high fat diet with 0.5% Foeniculum fructus group (HFDF). Eleven-weeks feeding with HFD resulted in significant increase in lipid levels, body weight, liver and epididymal adipose tissue weight, compared with the ND group. Diet containing Foeniculum fructus water extract significantly reduced plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose concentrations as well as body weight, liver and epididymal adipose tissue weights. Plasma LDL cholesterol levels were significantly lower in the HFDF group than those in HFDO group. LPL activities elevated by a high fat diet were significantly decreased by Foeniculum fructus water extract administration. ACS activities decreased in the high fat diet group and markedly increased in the Foeniculum fructus water extract administered group. All things considered, Foeniculum fructus water extract efficiently inhibits the inflow of fatty acid into the cell, and activates metabolic process that uses fatty acids flowing as an energy source. Thus, Foeniculum fructus water extract may have great potential as a novel anti-obesity agent.

Effects of Komouni Formulation (Herbal Product of Persian Medicine) With a Low-Calorie Diet on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Women: A Triple-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial

“…Trans-anethole, a substance extracted from fennel’s essential oil, is structurally similar to catecholamines and acts similarly to amphetamines in controlling appetite. It is one of the possible mechanisms that fennel causes weight loss ( 14 , 22 , 26 ). The lipid-lowering effect of ajwain is proposed to be due to improved lipoprotein catabolism, inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase, and inhibition of lysosomal lipid hydrolytic enzymes secreted by the liver ( 33 - 35 ).…”

“…It is one of the possible mechanisms that fennel causes weight loss (14,22,26). The lipid-lowering effect of ajwain is proposed to be due to improved lipoprotein catabolism, inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase, and inhibition of lysosomal lipid hydrolytic enzymes secreted by the liver (33)(34)(35).…”

Anti-obesity effects of herbal extract YY312 in C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet and 3T3-L1 cells

“…비만은 상기한 濕, 痰, 瘀 같은 병리적 산물이 기부나 복막, 장부 등에 유체되는 것이다. 따라서, 補氣, 健脾, 祛濕利水, 消導, 化痰 작용을 갖 는 한약을 치료제로 사용하였으며, 실제 항비만 효과가 있는 한약재로 人蔘 28) , 黃連 29) , 苦瓜 30) , 枸杞子 31) , 側柏葉 32) , 木香 33) , 小茴香 34) 등이 연구된 바가 있다. .…”

“…靑皮는 祛痰, 利膽하고 散結消滯하는 효능이 강하여 食積氣滯 證을 主治하고, 또한 破氣散結하는 효능이 있어 氣滯血瘀로 인한 癥瘕積聚 등의 병증을 치료하는데 적용되며 15) , 靑皮의 생리활성물질인 carotenoid β-cryptoxanthin의 항비만 효 과가 보고된 바 있어 25) , 항비만 효과를 보인 것으로 사료된 다. 吳茱萸는 溫裏藥에 속하며 동 배속인 小茴香의 항비만 효 과가 보고된 바 있다 34) . 吳茱萸는 肝, 脾, 胃, 腎經에 작용하 며 大熱燥烈하여 疏肝下氣에 뛰어나 疏肝解鬱, 行氣燥濕하는 작용이 있고 15) , 주요 알칼로이드인 evodiamine의 capsaicin 과 유사한 항비만 효과가 보고된 바 있어 26) , 항비만 효과를 보인 것으로 사료된다.…”

Effects of Komouni Formulation (Herbal Product of Persian Medicine) With a Low-Calorie Diet on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Overweight and Obese Women: A Triple-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial

“…According to the current evidence, the components of this product have antioxidant, hypoglycemic, anti-atherosclerosis, antidiabetic, appetite suppressant, and anti-obesity activities (12)(13)(14). No side effects have been observed following the consumption of these herbs in usual therapeutic doses (15).…”