Anti-obesity effect of robusta fermented with Leuconostoc mesenteroides in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Robusta beans cultivated with Monascus ruber (RMR) were successively fermented with Leuconostoc mesenteroides (LM) and the antiobesity effects were examined. To produce an obese mouse model to investigate the hypolipidemic effects, ICR mice were fed the same high-fat diet for 6 weeks. Treatment groups were given 10 or 20% RMR-LM. Body weight changes in the 20% RMR-LM group were lower compared with those in the control group. Visceral adipose tissue weight and adipose size were significantly lower in the 20% RMR-LM group compared with those in the control group. Significant improvement in glucose tolerance was observed in the 10 and 20% RMR-LM groups compared with the control group. The 20% RMR-LM group exhibited a significant reduction in serum glucose concentration. Hepatic mRNA levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1, fas cell surface death receptor, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, which are associated with lipid, and fatty acid metabolism, in the 20% RMR-LM group were significantly lower compared with those in the control group. The results of the present study demonstrated that 20% RMR-LM may be used to prevent obesity, and ameliorate diabetes and lipid metabolism imbalances.

Evaluation of acute toxicity, genotoxicity and inhibitory effect on acute inflammation of an ethanol extract of Morus alba L. (Moraceae) in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Morus alba L. (white mulberry) is used in traditional medicine worldwide, including Brazil. The leaves of this plant are used to treat inflammatory disorders. Universal interest in this plant necessitates studies on the toxicological safety and scientific substantiation of the medicinal properties of M. alba. In previous work, we investigated the acute toxicity of orally administered M. alba ethanol extract in mice.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This work was designed to investigate the ethanol extract obtained from M. alba leaves for acute toxicity when intraperitoneally administered, in vivo genotoxicity, and potential to reduce acute inflammation. In order to further investigate the constituents of the extract, we also obtained the high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint of the extract.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Phytochemical analysis by thin layer chromatography (TLC) was performed and the results were used to obtain the HPLC fingerprint. Acute toxicity of 300 and 2000mg/kg b.w. i.p. doses administered to mice for 14 days was evaluated. Genotoxicity was evaluated by counting the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in the blood of mice that either received or did not receive the extract at 75, 150 and 300mg/kg b.w. per os. The anti-inflammatory effect of the same doses administered per os was investigated using the carrageenan air pouch model.

RESULTS

The TLC analysis of the extract revealed the presence of a remarkable amount of flavonoids and cinnamic acids. The HPLC fingerprint showed the presence of one major peak corresponding to chlorogenic acid and two smaller peaks corresponding to flavonoids. In the toxicity assays, there were no deaths or deviations in behavior of treated mice as compared to the control at any dose. However, biochemical, hematological, and histological analyses showed that intraperitoneal injection caused several forms of damage to the mice, which were not observed in case of oral administration, studied in our previous work. Oral administration of the extract did not result in genotoxicity and considerably reduced (58.6-65.6% inhibition) leukocyte migration in all doses evaluated, in comparison with the negative control.

CONCLUSIONS

The ethanol extract from M. alba leaves administered intraperitoneally possesses a greater degree of toxicity in mice when compared to per os administration. The extract was not genotoxic when ingested by mice and exhibited a highly inhibitory effect against acute inflammation, which is probably linked to the presence of chlorogenic acid and flavonoids in the composition. This work contributes to the determination of safety of the medicinal use of M. alba leaves.