Rhus verniciflua leaf extract suppresses obesity in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Abstract

BackgroundObesity is a serious health problem in the world. We thought that the activity and safety of natural plants and/or foods are very important in the management of therapy for obesity. Rhus verniciflua (R. verniciflua) is also known as lacquer tree in Japan and Korea, and it is consumed as food ingredients and/or traditional herbal medicine. We prepared an extract from R. verniciflua leaves (Rv-PEM01-99) to develop a new functional food material and/or nutritional supplements.ObjectiveThis study evaluated the anti-obesity effects of the Rv-PEM01-99 in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice.DesignSix-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups: group I (HFD group), group II (HFD + 1% Rv-PEM01-99 group), and group III (HFD + 2% Rv-PEM01-99 group). Throughout the 56-day treatment period, body weights of these mice were checked twice a week. After 56 days, blood biochemical analyses were performed.ResultsIn animal studies, no death or abnormalities in food consumption were observed between groups I, II, and III. Body weight gain in the groups administered Rv-PEM01-99 was less than that in group I. In particular, body weight gain in group III was significantly less than that in group I after 52 days of Rv-PEM01-99 administration. In addition, intra-abdominal fat and leptin levels in group III were significantly lower than those in group I. HPLC and LC/MS analysis showed a quercetin derivative as an active compound in Rv-PEM01-99.ConclusionRv-PEM01-99, containing a quercetin derivative, showed anti-obesity effect in HFD-fed mice. It could therefore be useful as food material and/or nutritional supplement for management of obesity.

<p>Effects of Supplementation with Anti-Inflammatory Compound Extracted from Herbs in Healthy and Obese Cats</p>

“…The main component of the anti-inflammatory compound, Rv-PEM01-99, is quercetin derivative. 16,17 Quercetin is a flavonoid which has various functions such as antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory action, amelioration of lipid metabolism and others. 15,20,21 Quercetin supplementation is effective for improvement of lipid metabolism in obese animals.…”

“…A long-term supplementation may be needed to show body weight reduction and antioxidant action as chronic effects as shown in mice. 17 It is reported that high concentrations of quercetin show side effects to inhibit cytochrome P450 isoforms 28 and metabolism of paclitaxel, an anticancer drug. 29 Whereas, Rv-PEM01-99, quercetin derivative, does not show such side effects, 16,17 therefore we can supply high concentrations of quercetin derivative to enhance its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.…”

“…14 The anti-inflammatory effect of Rv-PEM01 -99 is considered to be due to a quercetin derivative, which is a main ingredient in the compound extracted from Rhus verniciflua leaf. [15][16][17] In this study, we investigated the changes in plasma metabolites, hormone concentrations and enzyme activities related to energy metabolism in livers of healthy and obese cats with the anti-inflammatory compound supplementation for 4 weeks. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of quercetin derivative as inflammatory compound on energy metabolism in healthy and obese cats.…”

Potential Benefits of Acupuncture and Herbs for Obesity‐Related Chronic Inflammation by Adipokines

“…Suruga et al [ 80 ] injected a Rhus verniciflua leaf extract to high-fat diet-induced obese mice to demonstrate its antiobesity effects. In mice injected with the extract, the rate of weight gain was reduced when compared with the control group mice.…”

Toxicodendron vernicifluum Stokes extract inhibits solid tumor growth and lung metastasis of 4T1 murine mammary carcinoma cells in BALB/c mice

“…Toxicodendron vernicifluum Stokes (TVS) was found to contain a number of bioactive phytochemicals, including alkaloids, polyphenols and flavonoids [12]. Previous research has shown that TVS extract has antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-obesity, anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. Despite the beneficial pharmacological effects of TVS, its use has been somewhat limited due to the presence of urushiol an allergenic substance, that is a mixture of several derivatives of catechol.…”