Consumption of Spinacia Oleracea (spinach) and aerobic exercise controls obesity in rats by an inhibitory action on pancreatic lipase

An Ethnobotanical Survey and Pharmacological and Toxicity Review of Medicinal Plants Used in the Management of Obesity in the North Central Zone of Nigeria

Introduction: Obesity is increasing worldwide. Due to the unavailability of affordable obesity drugs in most parts of Nigeria, many overweight and obese people rely on medicinal plants to manage obesity. Thus, the aim of this study is to document medicinal plants traditionally used in the treatment and management of obesity in the North Central Zone of Nigeria, determine the plants to which pharmacological assessment of their use in obesity management has not been reported, and assess their toxicity based on the literature. Methods: Semistructured questionnaires and interviews were used to assess sociodemographic information of the 700 herb sellers/practitioners (100 for each state) who consented to participate in the study. Information gathered on plants that are traditionally used in the management of obesity included administration/dosage, method of preparation, plant part used, method of growth, and plant type. The field study was conducted over a one-year period, from March 2018 to March 2019. Reports of pharmacological activity pertaining to obesity as well as toxicity of the plants were obtained from the literature via scientific databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, SciFinder, AJOL, PubChem, and other web sources) after the field survey. Results: A total of 39 families and 70 plant species were used to treat or manage obesity. The majority of plant species used resulted in the family Leguminosae. The relative frequency of citation (RFC) and percentage values for the five most frequently used plants were as follows: Citrus aurantifolia (0.0500; 3.56%), Citrus limon (0.0457; 3.26%), Garcinia kola (0.0429; 3.05%), Zingiber officinale (0.0429; 3.05%), and Allium sativum (0.0414; 2.95%). The majority of the medications were prepared as decoctions (50.5%), and cultivated plants (62.86%) were in the majority of plants used. Results showed that 23 plants have no pharmacological report for antiobesity activities while among the five frequently used plants, only Garcinia kola was reported toxic in preclinical models. Conclusions: This paper provides a valuable compilation of the plants used in obesity treatment in the study area by indigenous healers, highlights plants with no reported pharmacological activity pertaining to obesity, and indicates the toxicity profile of used plants. However, further studies on the mechanism of action are warranted, especially where no reports were obtained.

Ecdysterone and Turkesterone-Compounds with Prominent Potential in Sport and Healthy Nutrition

The naturally occurring compounds ecdysterone and turkesterone, which are present in plants, including Rhaponticum carthamoides Willd. (Iljin), Spinacia oleracea L., Chenopodium quinoa Willd., and Ajuga turkestanica (Regel) Briq, are widely recognized due to their possible advantages for both general health and athletic performance. The current review investigates the beneficial biological effects of ecdysterone and turkesterone in nutrition, highlighting their roles not only in enhancing athletic performance but also in the management of various health problems. Plant-based diets, associated with various health benefits and environmental sustainability, often include sources rich in phytoecdysteroids. However, the therapeutic potential of phytoecdysteroid-rich extracts extends beyond sports nutrition, with promising applications in treating chronic fatigue, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Anti-obesity, anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-antipyretic and analgesic activities of Globularia alypum extracts

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to evaluate the anti-obesity, anti-hyperglycaemic, analgesic and antipyretic activities of Globularia alypum (GA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

GA methanol and water extracts (GAME, GAWE) were administered to high-fat-high-glucose diet (HFFD) rats.

RESULTS

This study showed that GAME exhibited the highest antioxidant, anti-α-amylase and anti-lipase activities, with half inhibitory concentration (IC50) values 0.067, 1.05 and 2.97 mg/ml respectively. In HFFD rats, the administration of GAME inhibited lipase activity by 36, 37 and 30% in the intestine, pancreas and serum, respectively, reduced body weight by 17.7% and modulated lipid profile. In addition, administration of GAME to HFFD-rats decreased α-amylase activity, improved glucose level and protected liver function. Furthermore, the administration of GA extracts to rats revealed antipyretic (reduction in writhing by 64%) and analgesic (decrease of temperature by 1.11 °C) activities.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that GA extracts exhibited an anti-obesity, anti-hyperglycaemia, anti-pyretic and analgesic activities.

Cardioprotective potential of Spinacia oleracea (Spinach) against isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats

CONTEXT

Spinacia oleracea is rich in antioxidant phyto-constituents, termed as the natural antioxidant mixture (NAO).

OBJECTIVE

This study investigates the cardioprotective effect of an antioxidant-rich extract of Spinacia oleracea (NAOE) and its phytoconstituent rutin in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction in rats.

METHODS

Rats were treated with NAOE (400 and 800 mg/kg), rutin (50 mg/kg) and the reference drug gemfibrozil (50 mg/kg) daily for 30 days and were administered ISO (85 mg/kg, s.c) on the last 2 days.

RESULTS

NAOE treatment attenuated the ISO-elevated levels of serum marker enzymes (AST, LDH and CPK), troponin I, total cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, CRP, TNF-α, IL-6 and malondialdehyde. It also restored the ISO-skewed ECG and systolic blood pressure, and the ISO-depleted marker enzymes and endogenous antioxidants in all treated rats.

CONCLUSION

It may be concluded that NAOE treatment to ISO-challenged rats exhibited significant cardioprotective effect probably due to the potent antioxidant activity of its NAO.

Adaptogenic Properties of a Phytoecdysteroid-Rich Extract from the Leaves of Spinacia oleracea L

Increasing the ability of the human body to adapt in conditions of physical or emotional stress is promising from the standpoint of the use of preventive nutrition containing functional food ingredients (FFI) with proven effectiveness in complex physiological in vivo studies. In this work, we developed FFI from spinach leaves (Spinacia oleracea L.) with a high content of polyphenols and adaptogens-phytoecdysteroids. Using in vivo models of increased physical activity and immobilization-induced emotional stress, we evaluated the nonspecific resistance of rats in response to the addition of the developed FFI to the diet. In the acute toxicity experiment, we found no signs of FFI toxicity up to 5000 mg/kg body weight. As a result of the daily 26-day consumption of FFI, we observed an anxiolytic effect in physiological studies. FFI prevented an increase in the content of biogenic amines in the blood, the main markers of the stress system, and had a positive effect on the lipid metabolism of the rats. The obtained results demonstrate a "smoothing" effect on the body's reaction in response to induced stress conditions.

Inhibition of cartilage degeneration and subchondral bone deterioration by Spinacia oleracea in human mimic of ACLT-induced osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritic conditions in ACLT model in rats were attenuated by SOE administration.