Euphorbia supina extract results in inhibition of high-fat-diet-induced obesity in mice

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to investigate the anti-obesity effect of a 50% ethanol extract of Euphorbia supina (ESEE) in high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obese C57BL/6J mice. Mice were fed a HFD with or without ESEE (2, 10, or 50 mg/kg) or with Garcinia cambogia (positive control) for 6 weeks. ESEE supplementation significantly reduced body, epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT), and organ weights (P<0.05). ESEE also reduced hepatic steatosis and improved serum lipid profiles. In addition, ESEE significantly reduced serum leptin levels and increased adiponectin levels, and significantly downregulated the mRNA and protein levels of proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and CC AAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EPBα) in eWAT and liver tissues (all P<0.05). These results suggested that ESEE supplementation protects against HFD- induced obesity by downregulating PPARγ and C/EPBα, and that ESEE may be beneficial for the prevention and treatment of obesity and associated diseases.