Codonopsis lanceolata extract prevents diet-induced obesity in C57BL/6 mice

Nutrients. 2014 Oct 28;6(11):4663-77. doi: 10.3390/nu6114663.

Abstract

Codonopsis lanceolata extract (CLE) has been used in traditional medicine in the Asian-Pacific region for the treatment of bronchitis, cough, and inflammation. However, it is still unclear whether obesity in mice can be altered by diet supplementation with CLE. To investigate whether CLE could have preventative effects on high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity, male C57BL/6 mice were placed on either a normal chow diet, 60% HFD, or a HFD supplemented with CLE (60, 180, and 360 mg/kg/day) for 12 weeks. CLE decreased body weight and subcutaneous and visceral fat weights in HFD-induced obese mice. CLE group mice showed lower fat accumulation and a smaller adipocyte area in the adipose tissue compared with the HFD group mice. CLE group mice exhibited lower serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), glucose, and insulin compared with the HFD group mice. In addition, CLE decreased liver weight and lowered the increase in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels in HFD-induced obese mice. These results indicate that CLE can inhibit the development of diet-induced obesity and hyperlipidemia in C57BL/6 mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alanine Transaminase / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / pharmacology*
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases / metabolism
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Cholesterol, HDL / blood
  • Cholesterol, LDL / blood
  • Codonopsis / chemistry*
  • Diet, High-Fat
  • Insulin / blood
  • Intra-Abdominal Fat / drug effects
  • Intra-Abdominal Fat / metabolism
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Obese
  • Obesity / blood
  • Obesity / drug therapy*
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Roots / chemistry
  • Subcutaneous Fat, Abdominal / drug effects
  • Subcutaneous Fat, Abdominal / metabolism
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • Anti-Obesity Agents
  • Blood Glucose
  • Cholesterol, HDL
  • Cholesterol, LDL
  • Insulin
  • Plant Extracts
  • Triglycerides
  • Aspartate Aminotransferases
  • Alanine Transaminase