Journal of Environmental Biology

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

J.H. Sohn¹, J.W. Kim², G.W. Jung², D.C. Park², S.B. Moon², H.R. Cho², S.K. Ku³ and J.S. Choi¹*

¹Division of Bioindustry, College of Medical and Life Sciences, Silla University, Sasang-gu, Busan, 46958, Republic of Korea

²Glucan corp. #305 Marine Bio-Industry Development Center, Hoenggye-ri 27, Gijan-gun, Busan, 46048, Republic of Korea

³Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Oriental Medicine, Daegu Haany University, 290 Yugok-dong, Gyeongsan-si,

Gyeongsanbuk-do, 38610, Republic of Korea

*Corresponding Author E-mail: jsc1008@silla.ac.kr

Key words

Adipokines

db/db mouse

Momordica charantia

Obesity

Platycodin 

Publication Data

Paper received : 14.12.2016

Revised received : 20.02.2017

Re-revised received : 23.11.2017

Accepted : 27.12.2017

Abstract

Aim: Momordica charantia water extract and platycodin-D are potent hypoglycemic and hypolipemic agents. In the present study, anti-obesity effects of these agents were investigated in various proportions.?

Methodology: Test agents were 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 liver triglycerides were 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-D alone. 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 diabetic mice.

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