Researchers in Russia have demonstrated a promising approach to moderating weight gain in obese mice using a drug derived from cultured cells of three medicinal plants: Japanese ginseng, Dioscorea deltoidus, and Tribulus terrestris. The finding was shared by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research press service.
Obesity, whether in animals or humans, involves an excess of adipose tissue that raises body weight and triggers a range of adverse health effects. Addressing obesity is important not just for appearance but to protect overall health and reduce the risk of associated diseases.
To explore potential solutions, researchers at Timiryazev Institute and collaborating laboratories from other Russian institutions examined how specific plant components influence metabolic processes. Plant materials collected from natural environments can vary in chemical composition due to soil differences, weather, and other factors. To achieve a consistent product, the team turned to cell culture techniques. They successfully cultured cells from three medicinal plants—Japanese ginseng, Dioscorea deltoidus, and Tribulus terrestris—in specialized bioreactors. Prior studies indicated that extracts from these plant cultures contained triterpene and steroid glycosides with activity toward carbohydrate metabolism, suggesting potential benefits for obesity-affected organisms. In the current work, the scientists fed mice with a very high-calorie diet while supplementing their food with extracts from the cultured biomass. The animals were assessed over a three-month period, with comparisons made against several control groups: fully fed animals on a high-calorie diet alone, and a group receiving liraglutide, a widely used synthetic anti-obesity medication along with their diet.
The results showed measurable improvements in body composition and metabolic markers for the plant-based preparations. In particular, Dioscorea deltoidum produced the strongest effect, surpassing the performance of liraglutide in reducing fat mass. After three months, mice treated with Dioscorea deltoid exhibited a remarkable decline in body fat; fat mass dropped significantly compared with both high-calorie only and liraglutide-treated groups. While some biological functions in offspring showed a modest reduction, no major adverse effects on reproductive health were observed in the treated animals.
The research team concluded that plant-derived, cell-culture–based formulations may offer a viable route for obesity management, including in female individuals of reproductive age. They emphasized that further clinical studies in humans are necessary to determine safety, optimal dosing, and effectiveness in diverse populations. The work adds to a growing body of evidence that controlled plant-cell therapies can modulate metabolism without disrupting reproductive function in animal models.
These findings underscore the potential of plant-based biofactories to produce standardized, scalable supplements that could complement existing obesity treatments. Ongoing studies aim to refine extraction methods, ensure batch-to-batch consistency, and evaluate long-term outcomes in more complex models. As science progresses, researchers remain cautious, clearly stating that human trials are essential before any clinical use in people.
In the broader context, this line of research aligns with a shift toward nutraceutical strategies that combine traditional botanical knowledge with modern biotechnology. It highlights the importance of rigorous testing, ethical considerations, and transparent reporting as the field advances toward safe, effective obesity therapies.