Saponins from Platycodi Radix Ameliorate High Fat Diet–Induced Obesity in Mice

Abstract

We examined the effects of crude saponins isolated from Platycodi radix on the degree on fat storage induced in mice by feeding a high fat diet for 9 wk. We reported previously that feeding mice a high fat diet for a longer time caused obesity and fatty liver compared with those fed a low fat diet, nonpurified diet. Feeding a high fat diet containing 10 or 30 g/kg crude saponins prevented the body and parametrial adipose tissue weight increases and hepatic steatosis of mice fed the high fat diet alone. Furthermore, crude saponins (375 mg/kg) inhibited the elevations in blood triacylglycerol in rats orally administered a lipid emulsion compared with that of rats given the lipid emulsion alone. Previously, we reported that crude saponins inhibited pancreatic lipase activity in vitro. To identify the active substance(s) of crude saponins, we examined the effects of purified platycodin D, the primary saponin in the crude mixture, on pancreatic lipase activity and on the blood triacylglycerol elevation in rats administered the oral lipid emulsion tolerance test. Platycodin D (0.5 and 1.0 g/L) inhibited pancreatic lipase activity in vitro and at a dose of 244 mg/kg, inhibited the elevation of blood triacylglycerol. Therefore, the antiobesity effect of the crude saponins in mice fed a high fat diet may be due to the inhibition of intestinal absorption of dietary fat by platycodin D.

Antiobese and hypolipidemic effects of platycodin saponins in diet-induced obese rats: evidences for lipase inhibition and calorie intake restriction

“…The animal experiment showed that the body weight reduction was highly linked with the calorie intake restriction, which is obviously inconsistent with the previous reports. 1,2 We also observed that a cholesterollowering effect was mainly attributed by the reduction of LDL-cholesterol. A beneficial alteration in the hepatic tissues and fecal excretion was also noted.…”

“…Two essential factors are noted here: one is the suppression of the food intake with high correlation to the body weight loss; the other is the regulation of the cholesterol metabolism with the resultant improvement of the lipoprotein composition and the hepatic lipid-lowering effect. Undoubtedly, PS is more deeply involved in lipid metabolism regulation than was previously understood, 2 and represents a promising candidate in the treatment of the obesity and hyperlipidemia.…”

“…A lipase inhibitor which reduces fat digestion and thus absorption, is one of widely accepted approaches in decreasing calorie intake. [1][2][3] Simple inhibition of lipid digestion and absorption is a prerequisite, but it is not sufficient for a successful long-term control of obesity. 4 Therefore, a coordinated measure to either reduce the food intake efficiency or promote energy expenditure is desirable to achieve a long-term efficacy.…”

“…[8][9][10][11] In the last decade, PS has generated a renewed interest due to its pharmacological potentials for healing the diseases of adulthood such as hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. 1,2 However, the evidence for the use of PS in obesity and hyperlipidemia treatment is few and sometimes discrepant.…”

“…Han et al 1,2 reported that PS shows antiobese and hypolipidemic effects in part by inhibiting pancreatic lipase; 2 however, no further evidence has been given. In our study, we examined the properties of PS and its derivatives in inhibiting lipase and its efficacy in body weight reduction when administered to high fat (HF) dietinduced obese rats.…”