Improvement of obesity phenotype by Chinese sweet leaf tea (Rubus suavissimus) components in high-fat diet-induced obese rats

J Agric Food Chem. 2011 Jan 12;59(1):98-104. doi: 10.1021/jf103497p. Epub 2010 Dec 7.

Abstract

Drinking an herbal tea to lose weight is a well-liked concept. This study was designed to examine the possible improvement of obesity phenotype by a new tea represented by its purified components, gallic acid, ellagic acid, and rubusoside (GER). Male obese-prone SD rats were given low-fat diet, high-fat diet, or high-fat diet plus GER at the dose of 0.22 g/kg of body weight for 9 weeks. GER significantly reduced body weight gain by 22% compared to the high-fat diet control group with 48% less abdominal fat gain. Food intake was not affected. Blood glucose was lowered in the GER-treated group, whereas serum triglycerides and cholesterol were significantly reduced by 50%. This improved obesity phenotype may be associated with the attenuated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in preadipocyte 3T3-L1 cells. Although other underlying, possibly multiple, mechanisms behind the improved phenotype are largely unknown, the observed improvement of multiple obesity-related parameters by the new tea warrants further investigations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3-L1 Cells
  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Dietary Fats / adverse effects
  • Dietary Fats / metabolism
  • Eating / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Obesity / chemically induced
  • Obesity / drug therapy*
  • Obesity / metabolism
  • Obesity / physiopathology*
  • Phenotype
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage*
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Rosaceae / chemistry*

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Dietary Fats
  • Plant Extracts