Evaluation of anti-obesity and lipid-lowering properties of Vaccinium myrtillus leaves powder extract in a hamster model

Abstract

Background Vaccinium myrtillus leaves are known to be rich in phenols and have been used in traditional medicine as an antidiabetic remedy. This study evaluated the powder extract of V. myrtillus leaves obtained with the use of L-arginine and myo-inositol for anti-obesity and lipid-lowering potential in hamsters. Methods Standard phytochemical methods were used to determine the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of the extract. The obesity condition was induced in Syrian hamsters by feeding them with highly palatable fat- and sugar-rich diet (40.3 kcal% fat) for 12 weeks. From the 10th week of diet feeding, the obese hamsters were treated with the powder extract of V. myrtillus leaves (15, 25 and 35 mg/kg/day, respectively) and "Styfimol" (6.2 mg/kg/day of hydroxycitric acid) as a positive control drug. At the end of the treatment period, the biochemical parameters as well as visceral fat mass were determined. Results Vaccinium myrtillus leaves powder extract at 25 and 35 mg/kg/day caused a significant reduction in body weight gain and visceral fat mass in obese hamsters. Serum triacylglycerols, free fatty acids, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were also significantly lower. Besides, the hamsters treated with powder extract at 25 and 35 mg/kg/day had the closest intact value ratio of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and LDL-C compared with positive control animals. Conclusions The results showed that V. myrtillus leaves powder extract is a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of obesity and obesity-induced diseases.

Highbush Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.) Leaves Extract and Its Modified Arginine Preparation for the Management of Metabolic Syndrome—Chemical Analysis and Bioactivity in Rat Model

“…It has been experimentally shown that blueberry and cranberry fruits in 18-year-old patients with type 2 diabetes significantly improve blood parameters [ 23 ]. Vaccinium myrtillus leaves extracts in reduced glucose levels, increased insulin sensitivity and normalized blood lipid profile in rats [ 10 , 11 ]. The obtained extracts E1 and E2 from the highbush blueberry leaves showed a lowering effect on glucose levels and normalized the lipid profile of the rats’ blood at the level which can be compared to the previously examined Vaccinium myrtillus extracts [ 10 , 11 ].…”

“…Vaccinium myrtillus leaves extracts in reduced glucose levels, increased insulin sensitivity and normalized blood lipid profile in rats [ 10 , 11 ]. The obtained extracts E1 and E2 from the highbush blueberry leaves showed a lowering effect on glucose levels and normalized the lipid profile of the rats’ blood at the level which can be compared to the previously examined Vaccinium myrtillus extracts [ 10 , 11 ]. The extract E2 modified with arginine had a stronger effect and proved to be a promising agent for complex use in the prevention of insulin resistance, atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome.…”

“…It was also shown that administration of the common blueberry leaves dry extract has a normalizing effect on metabolic disorders under the high-fructose diet. The revealed effects were caused by the hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and antioxidant properties of extract components [ 10 , 11 ].…”

Characterization of Phytochemical Components of Crocus sativus Leaves: A New Attractive By-Product

“…Their content may vary depending on the type of plant, cultivation season, geographical location, method of drying, grinding, storage, etc. [2][3][4]. Crocus sativus L. is a famous plant from the Iridaceae family.…”

Phytochemical and Psychotropic Research of Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca L.) Modified Dry Extracts

“…Amino acids in extracts are able to form salts, complexes, and conjugants with other BAS groups, for example, with phenol compounds, and this changes their physicochemical properties, affects their solubility, bioavailability, and total pharmacological effect, and leads to an increase in their activity and the appearance of new pharmacological effects [23][24][25][26]. Therefore, modification of the motherwort tincture using amino acids and addition of excipients to create new dry extracts is an urgent task of modern pharmacy.…”