Russian scientists have succeeded in slowing weight gain in obese mice with a drug based on Japanese ginseng, Dioscorea deltoidus and Tribulus terrestris cell culture. This was reported by the press service of the RNF.
With obesity in the body of an animal or a person, excess adipose tissue is formed, which increases weight and has a complex negative effect on the body. For this reason, the fight against obesity is important not only to protect the appearance, but also to protect the health.
On this issue, Timiryazev from the KA Russian Academy of Sciences and colleagues from other institutes decided to study the effect of various plant components on the body. However, plants grown in nature have an unstable chemical composition that changes depending on soil conditions. In this regard, the scientists decided to resort to cell culture: they obtained and grew cells of three medicinal plants – Japanese ginseng, Dioscorea deltoidus and Tribulus terrestris – in special bioreactors. Previous studies have shown that extracts of these cultures have a significant positive effect on the bodies of laboratory animals with impaired carbohydrate metabolism due to the activity of triterpene and steroid glycosides. The scientists used the extracts from the grown biomass as a nutritional supplement for mice that had already developed obesity – while the animals continued to be fed very high-calorie food. The authors compared the condition of rodents on such a diet for three months with control “full” animals fed high-calorie and standard foods, as well as those who were overfed but received injections of a popular synthetic anti-obesity drug (liraglutide).
It turns out that preparations based on these plants really help to combat obesity. Dioscorea deltoidum gave the greatest effect, its effect was superior to liraglutide. After three months of treatment with Dioscorea deltoid, body fat mass was 28% and animals fed high-calorie and standard diets – 41.5% and 36%, and those treated with liraglutide – 36%. At the same time, none of the herbal remedies led to a violation of the reproductive function of the mice, although it was 12% less in the treated offspring.
In conclusion, the authors concluded that such herbal remedies are potentially suitable for the treatment of obesity, including women of childbearing age. However, a number of clinical studies are needed before this treatment can be given to humans.
ancient biologists in your name Criteria by which the existence of self-awareness in animals is determined.