Simmondsin for weight loss in rats

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the safety and efficacy for weight loss of simmondsin, a dietary supplement extracted from the seed of the jojoba plant (Simmondsia chinensis). Animals: Sprague-Dawley male rats were fed various levels of simmondsin for 8 weeks (lean rats) or 16 weeks (high fat-induced obese rats). Measurements: Food intake, body weight and composition, histopathology, hematology parameters. Results: Simmondsin produced a clear dose-response effect on food intake and body weight. No remarkable histopathologic changes were noted in the liver, kidney and spleen. One lean animal, in the 0.5% group, had approximately a 20% depression in red bone marrow cells. Significant effects on hematology parameters were seen almost exclusively in groups consuming simmondsin at the highest level (0.5%) and these effects appeared to be reversed by removing simmondsin from the diet. Conclusion: Simmondsin at both the 0.15% level and the 0.25% level significantly reduced food intake and body weight without apparent negative effects. At dose levels much higher than therapeutic levels, there seemed to be reversible effects on circulating red and white blood cells. Future studies should determine long-term effects of lower doses on blood cell parameters.

Anorexic and metabolic effect of jojoba: potential treatment against metabolic syndrome and hepatic complications

“…The treatment with jojoba meal made it possible to remove these lipid droplets which show the non-toxicity of the jojoba meal on the kidney. Our results were in agreement with Boozer and Herron [39] who did not find a difference between the tissue structures of the kidneys of the untreated and simmondsin treated rats.…”

“…Marnix et al [38] have worked with the same concentration of jojoba used in our study and the results showed that this concentration caused a reduction in the food intake and weight loss in the rats in 2 weeks. Boozer et Herron [39] proved that simmondsin produced a clear dose-response effect on this dietary intake as well as weight loss and that simmondsin at 0.15 and 0.25% significantly reduced these parameters without any undesirable effects. On the other hand, if this concentration is higher than 0.5%, many complications can be placed on the composition of white blood cells.…”

Unusual etiology of gastrointestinal symptoms: the case of jojoba butter

“…Although this theory cannot be excluded, the formation of cyanide as a by-product of digestion has yet to be demonstrated in animal studies 6 and the adverse effects of simmondsin are largely believed to be related to its anorectic effects. 6 – 7 …”

Plants used in the traditional medicine of Mesoamerica (Mexico and Central America) and the Caribbean for the treatment of obesity

“…Simmondsin (5000 mg/kg p.o. ), obtained from Simmondsia chinensis, had no effect on food intake in rats fed on HFD for 16 weeks, but decreased body weight by 25% (Boozer and Herron, 2006).…”