Evaluation of the acute basic biological effects of herbal formulation to control obesity: a preliminary study

Abstract

SummaryObjectivesObesity is the accumulation of excessive visceral and subcutaneous fat in the body. The herbal formulation can help treat obesity and our study aims to evaluate the acute basic biological effects of herbal formulation to control obesity.MethodsAntiobesity herbal formulation, prepared by the combination of Saussurea lappa root, Betula utilis bark, Aconitum heterophyllum root, Bunium periscum seed, and Bauhinia variegate leaf (4:3:1:1:1), was carried out on Wistar male and female rats. Obesity was induced in the rats by feeding the Chow diet, and the effect of herbal formulation on obesity was studied. The effect on obesity was measured by analyzing variables like weight, water intake, pellet count, hematological parameters, renal function test, liver function test, and lipid profile test.ResultsIn the study, it was observed that the female rats treated at the highest dose showed a significantly (p<0.005) higher decrease in weight compared to male rats after ten days. Thefood intake, hemoglobin, renal, liver function and lipid profile showed significant improvement after the intake of herbal formulation.ConclusionsFrom the above results, it was inferred that herbal formulation increased the activity of metabolism, which is helpful in weight reduction; moreover, it has some beneficial biological effects.

New Mediators in the Crosstalk between Different Adipose Tissues

“…Taking into account the cardiometabolic side effects of some of these drugs, natural and herbal products are being tested as alternative activating stimuli and it is hypothesized that they are possible agents in the prevention and therapy of metabolic pathologies [160,161] (Figure 3). However, the toxicological and pharmacological properties should always be evaluated to verify the effectiveness of the herb or natural product against serious diseases and its safe consumption for patients [162].…”