Antiobesity and Hypolipidemic Potential of Nitraria retusa Extract in Overweight/Obese Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study

This study aimed to assess the efficacy of Nitraria retusa extract (NRE) in reducing weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat composition (BF), and anthropometric parameters among overweight/obese women, comparing the results with those of a placebo group. Overweight/obese individuals participated in a 12-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Body weight, BMI, body composition, and anthropometric parameters were assessed. Additionally, lipid profile and safety evaluation parameters were evaluated. Compared to the placebo group, the NRE group exhibited a mean weight loss difference of 2.27 kg (p < 0.001) at the trial's conclusion. Interestingly, the most significant weight reduction, amounting to 3.34 kg ± 0.93, was observed in younger participants with a BMI > 30.0. Similarly, BMI and BF% significantly decreased in the NRE group, contrary to the placebo group (p = 0.008 and p = 0.005, respectively). The percentage of body water (BW) (p = 0.006) as well as the ratio of LBM/BF (p = 0.039) showed a significant increase after the NRE intervention compared to the placebo. After age adjustment, all variables, except LBM/BF, retained statistical significance. Additionally, all anthropometric parameters were significantly reduced only in the NRE group. Most importantly, a significant reduction in Triglyceride (TG) levels in the NRE group was revealed, in contrast to the placebo group (p = 0.011), and the significance was still observed after age adjustment (p = 0.016). No side effects or adverse changes in kidney and liver function tests were observed in both groups. In conclusion, NRE demonstrated potent antiobesity effects, suggesting that NRE supplementation may represent an effective alternative for treating obesity compared to antiobesity synthetic drugs.

Exploring the Effects of Short-Term Daily Intake of Nitraria retusa Tea on Lipid Profile: A Pre-Post, Uncontrolled Pilot Study in Both Healthy and Overweight/Obese Adults

In the present study, we aimed to explore the feasibility, compliance, and potential benefits of Nitraria retusa extract (NRE) intervention in both healthy (BMI ≤ 24.9 Kg/m2) and overweight/obese adults (BMI > 25 Kg/m2). A total of 98 participants, including 37 healthy individuals and 61 overweight/obese adults, were randomly assigned to either a low-dose (500 mg/day) or a high-dose (2000 mg/day) NRE intervention group. Plasma lipid biomarkers, liver and kidney functions, general hematology, and blood glucose levels were measured at the baseline and 10 days after intervention. While the lipid profile of the healthy participants did not show any statistically significant changes, the obese participants in the high-dose group experienced a significant decrease in triglyceride levels (within-group difference p value = 0.004) and an increase in HDL levels (within-group p value < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in other parameters, indicating that NRE at the given doses was safe. Furthermore, the study had impressive compliance and acceptability, with over 90% of participants completing the intervention and diligently following the study protocol. This pilot study represents the first investigation into the feasibility, acceptability, and potential benefits of NRE intervention on lipid profiles in human volunteers.

Vegetation Dynamics and Growth Performance of Nitraria retusa among Different Habitats in Egypt

&lt;b&gt;Background and Objective:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;i&gt;Nitraria retusa&lt;/i&gt; is a salt-tolerant and drought-resistant shrub located in the Nitrariaceae family. Floristic composition and soil characters in representative habitats of &lt;i&gt;Nitraria retusa&lt;/i&gt; were analyzed in terms of habitat variations and vegetation dynamics. &lt;b&gt;Materials and Methods:&lt;/b&gt; A total of 12 sites were surveyed and nineteen environmental factors were recognized in three main habitats: sandy dunes, salt marshes and wadi channel. Homogeneity of each stand was secured by visual judgment to comprise uniform habitat dominated by &lt;i&gt;Nitraria retusa&lt;/i&gt;. A list of the accompanied species (inside and outside the studied quadrates) was made to give an idea about the plant diversity in the study area. &lt;b&gt;Results:&lt;/b&gt; Four main vegetation groups were recorded and their controlling ecological factors were identified. Species diversity gradients in addition to the gradient of human interference were significantly higher in dunes habitat than the other habitats. The growth performance of &lt;i&gt;Nitraria retusa&lt;/i&gt; was significantly higher in the sand dunes habitat than in the other habitats. &lt;b&gt;Conclusion:&lt;/b&gt; The Egyptian desert's need for judicious utilization and sustainable development. For this, the influence of other environmental factors needs to be analyzed properly understood.

Novel Antioxidant, Anti-α-Amylase, Anti-Inflammatory and Antinociceptive Water-Soluble Polysaccharides from the Aerial Part of Nitraria retusa

In this paper, water-soluble polysaccharides (named as NRLP) were extracted from Nitraria retusa leaves. The main structural features of NRLP were determined by High-pressure size exclusion chromatography, Fourier transform infrared and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry-Electronic Impact analysis. The in vitro and in vivo biological potential of NRLP were evaluated by measuring its antioxidant (•OH and DPPH• scavenging, total antioxidant capacity), anti-α-amylase as well as anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities in a mice model. NRLP was composed of Rha (33.7%), Gal (18.1%), GalA (15.0%), Glc (13.3%), Ara (13.3%), Xyl (3.8%), and GlcA (2.8%) and showed a Molecular Weight (Mw) of 23.0 kDa and a polydispersity index (PDI) of 1.66. The investigations highlighted a significant antioxidant activity (IC50 = 2.4-2.6 mg/mL) and an inhibition activity against α-amylase (IC50 = 4.55 mg/mL) in a dose-dependent manner. Further, NRLP revealed interesting anti-edematous effects and antinociceptive activities (both > 70%). These results open up new pharmacological prospects for the water-soluble polysaccharides extracted from Nitraria retusa leaves.

Antitumoral potency of methanolic extract from Nitraria retusa leaves via its immunomodulatory effect

Background

The purpose of this study was to assess the antitumoral effect of the methanol extract (MeOH) from Nitraria retusa leaves and to investigate its immunomodulatory activity that mediated the prevention of tumor progression in tumor-bearing mice.

Methods

Balb/c mice weighing 18–20 g were subcutaneously implanted with B16-F10 cells then injected intra-peritoneally, 7 days later with (200 mg/kg bw) of MeOH extract, for 21 days. After euthanization on day 21, the tumors were weighed. Lymphocyte proliferation, cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) and NK activity were evaluated using the MTT assay. Macrophage phagocytosis was studied by measuring their lysosomal activity and nitric oxide production.

Results

The methanol extract inhibited significantly the growth of the implanted tumor, and increased remarkably splenocyte proliferation as well as NK and CTL activities, in tumor-bearing mice. It also promoted lysosomal activity of treated animal macrophages.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that antitumoral effect of MeOH extract is related with to immunomodulatory activity.

Oral administration of Nitraria retusa ethanolic extract enhances hepatic lipid metabolism in db/db mice model 'BKS.Cg-Dock7(m)+/+ Lepr(db/)J' through the modulation of lipogenesis-lipolysis balance

The medicinal plants can be used in the prevention or treatment of many diseases. Several studies concerning the potential of bioactive components in plants and food products and their link to obesity and related metabolic disorders, have been gaining big interest. Diabetes is a serious metabolic syndrome. Searching for alternative natural bioactive molecules is considered main strategy to manage diabetes through weight management. In the present study, an edible halophyte Nitraria retusa was selected and in vivo experiment was conducted using db/db model mice. We orally administrated its ethanol extract (NRE) to BKS.Cg-Dock7(m)+/+ Lepr(db/)J mice model for a period of 4 weeks. The effect was evaluated on the body weight and adiposity changes and on the biochemical parameters of db/db NRE-treated mice. The molecular mechanism underlying the anti-obesity effect was investigated by testing the gene expression related to hepatic lipid metabolism. NRE was found to significantly supress increases in body and fat mass weight, decreases triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol levels and enhances gene expression related to lipid homeostasis in liver showing anti-obesity actions. Our findings, indicate that NRE possesses potential anti-obesity effects in BKS.Cg-Dock7(m)+/+ Lepr(db/)J model mice and may relieve obesity-related symptoms including hyperlipidemia through modulating the lipolysis-lipogenesis balance.