Synergic antiobesity effects of bitter melon water extract and platycodin-D in genetically obese mice

Abstract

Aim: Momordica charantia water extract and platycodin-D are potent hypoglycemic and hypolipemic agents. In the present study, anti-obesity effects ofthese agentswere investigated in various proportions. Methodology: Test agentswere administered orally (200 mg kg-1 b.wt.) once a day for 28 days to db/m and db/db mice. There were 15 groups (n = 7 per group): db/m, vehicle control, M. charantia alone platycodin-D alone, and the various M. charantia : platycodin-D ratio db/db groups. Animals were assigned to groups according to body weight and blood glucose level one day before initiation of dosing. After 28 days of dosing, changes in body weight, blood glucose, epididymal fat weight, serum leptin, adipose adiponectin and livertriglycerideswere recorded. Results: Prior to the initiation of dosing, db/db mice showed marked obesity compared to db/m mice (normal littermates), together with severe hyperglycemia. Epididymal fat weight, serum leptin and liver triglycerides were significantly increased in obese versus intact controls (p<0.01), with significant decrease in serum adiponectin and adipose adiponectin content also seen in the latter group (p<0.01). However, these obesity-related changes were significantly decreased by treatment with M. charantia water extract alone or platycodin-D alone, as well as in combination at all of the tested ratios and more favorable effects were detected in some of the mixed formula groups compared to those of M. charantia water extract alone and platycodin-Dalone. Among the 11 mixed formulas, M. charantia water extract: platycodin-D at a ratio of 1:4 showed the most dramatic obesity-inhibiting effects. Interpretation: Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that appropriate mixtures of M. charantia water extract and platycodin-D exert substantial , synergic antiobesity effects in obese diabeticmice.