Chrysobalanus icaco L. Leaves Normalizes Insulin Sensitivity and Blood Glucose and Inhibits Weight Gain in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Abstract

Chrysobalanus icaco L. is a medicinal plant present in the Brazilian coastline and known for its hypoglicemic and antioxidant properties. Here, we assessed the beneficial metabolic effects of the aqueous extract of C. icaco (AECI) leaves in diet-induced obese mice. Swiss mice were fed standard chow (SC used as controls) or high-fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity. After 10 weeks, mice on each diet were divided into two groups with one group used as control while the other group treated with AECI for 4 weeks resulting in four groups of mice: SC; SC treated with AECI (SC + AECI); HFD; and HFD treated with AECI (HFD + AECI). AECI was administered drinking water at about 200 mg/kg. AECI was able to normalize insulin (13,682 ± 1090 vs. 9828 ± 485 AU, P < .05) and fasting blood glucose (192.8 ± 14.2 vs. 132.3 ± 6.4 mg/dL, P < .05) and inhibit weight gain (39 ± 5.7%) and fat storage in liver (72.60 ± 3.83%, P < .0001), despite the high-fat intake. These findings reinforce the use of AECI in hyperglycemia and highlight the potential extract's effect in preventing weight gain and fat accumulation in liver of diet-induced obese mice.

Aqueous extract of Chrysobalanus icaco leaves, in lower doses, prevent fat gain in obese high-fat fed mice

“…Also, previous studies conducted in our laboratory reinforce the use of AECI in hyperglycemia and highlight the potential extract's effect in preventing weight gain of diet-induced obese mice (White et al, 2015).…”

“…Edema et al (2007) observed that 10% C. icaco seeds induced weight reduction, but in normal rats, without toxic effects. Moreover, White et al (2015) has shown prevention of weight gain in swiss obese high-fat fed mice with AECI, 200 mg/Kg dose treatment. These are the only reports to date about this plant and weight loss.…”

Phytochemical screening and analgesic profile of the lyophilized aqueous extract obtained from Chrysobalanus icaco leaves in experimental protocols

“…This effect has no relation with motor coordination or muscle relaxant action. The probable analgesic profile of AEC may play a role in the action of synthesis or release inflammatory mediators, and also might involve redox-mediated mechanisms, as previously shown by Barbosa et al (2013) and White, Ara ujo, et al (2016) and . In addition, the high presence of flavonols and terpenes compounds in AEC may help explain this analgesic profile.…”

“…Recent phytochemical investigations have reported the presence of myricetin as one of the major components of the AEC (White, Ara ujo, et al 2016;. Moreover, the presence of diterpene and triterpene has also been confirmed ).…”

Atividades in vitro e in vivo do fruto do guajiruzeiro (Chrysobalanus icaco L.) em biomarcadores de estresse oxidativo, danos ao DNA e inflamação e inflamação

“…In this context, the interest in exploring native fruits has been growing (SCHRECKINGER et al, 2010). Thus, the promising species also represent an excellent opportunity for those local producers who reach this marketing niche (ALVES et al, 2008 The guajiru leaf extract is used in the folk medicine to control glucose levels in diabetic individuals, and this effect was already described in the literature (BARBOSA et al, 2013;WHITE et al, 2016). Other effects of the leaf extract from guajiru trees are described, such as diuretic (PRESTA; PEREIRA, 1987), antiangiogenic (PAULO et al, 2000), cytotoxic against K562 -chronic myeloid leukemia -cells (FERNANDES et al, 2003), and antioxidant (FERREIRA-MACHADO et al, 2004).…”