Article

Licorice Flavonoid Oil Effect Body Weight Loss by Reduction of Body Fat Mass in Overweight Subjects

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Abstract

Licorice flavonoid oil (LFO) is a new dietary ingredient for functional foods consisting of licorice hydrophobic polyphenols in medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). In an effective dose finding study conducted previously, LFO has exhibited a dose-dependent body fat-reducing effect. Here we report the weight-reducing effect of LFO in a placebo-controlled, double-blind, long-term (12 weeks) ingestion study at 300 mg/day, the minimal effective dose observed in the dose finding study. A total of 103 overweight subjects [body mass index (BMI): 24-30] completed this study and were analyzed. Body weight increased in the placebo group, but was maintained at close to preingestion level in the LFO group, resulting in significant (p < 0.05) differences in the changes in body weight and BMI between the LFO group and the placebo group at each time-point. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurement of body fat indicated that the weight-reducing effect was attributable to reduced body fat. No clinically significant adverse events occurred during the 12-week ingestion period. To confirm the safety of LFO for practical use we also conducted a placebo-controlled, double-blind safety study in 40 overweight subjects with a 4-week excessive ingestion at 1800 mg/day; 6 times the dose of the 300 mg/day study that exhibited a weight-reducing effect. No clinically significant adverse events occurred during the 4-week ingestion period. Based on these findings in both human studies it was shown that LFO is a safe ingredient for functional foods even for long-term or excessive ingestion, with a potential weight-reducing effect.

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... Nineteen of these were excluded because the full text could not be found (n = 6), the data were incomplete or non-compliant (n = 11), or they were review articles (n = 2), resulting in the inclusion of eight RCTs ( Figure 2). Of the eight studies, the trial by CEM van Gelderen et al. was categorized into three studies depending on the dose of the interventions [28]; the study by Ominag et al. was also categorized into five studies depending on the dose of the interventions [29,30]; the study by Bell et al. was categorized into two studies depending on the intervention population selected [31]. In summary, 14 studies were quantitatively analyzed in this study [20,[28][29][30][31][32][33][34]. ...
... Of the eight studies, the trial by CEM van Gelderen et al. was categorized into three studies depending on the dose of the interventions [28]; the study by Ominag et al. was also categorized into five studies depending on the dose of the interventions [29,30]; the study by Bell et al. was categorized into two studies depending on the intervention population selected [31]. In summary, 14 studies were quantitatively analyzed in this study [20,[28][29][30][31][32][33][34]. ...
... (A,B) WMD and 95% CI of the effects of GA-based interventions on SBP and DBP. (C,D) WMD and 95% CI of the effects of LF-based interventions on SBP and DBP[20,[28][29][30][31][32][33][34]. ...
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Objective: To investigate the effects of licorice functional ingredient intake on blood pressure, explore its potential mechanisms of action, and provide safety information for personalized nutritional interventions in special populations and for the application of licorice-derived functional foods. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, EBSCO, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science databases were searched from inception to 31 August 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the intake of licorice or its functional components were included. The range of continuous variables was assessed using the weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals. Genes associated with hypertension were screened using an online database. Machine learning, receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve analysis, molecular docking, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were employed to explore the potential mechanisms underlying licorice-induced blood pressure fluctuations. Results: Eight RCTs (541 participants) were included in the meta-analysis, which indicated interventions containing glycyrrhizic acid (GA) as the main component increased systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (SBP: WMD [95% CI] = 3.48 [2.74, 4.21], p < 0.001; DBP: WMD [95% CI] = 1.27 [0.76, 1.78], p < 0.001). However, interventions dominated by licorice flavonoids(LF) had no significant effect on SBP or DBP (SBP: WMD [95% CI] = 0.58 [−1.15, 2.31], p = 0.511; DBP: WMD [95% CI] = 0.17 [−1.53, 1.88], p = 0.843). Three machine learning algorithms identified five biomarkers associated with hypertension: calmodulin 3 (CALM3), cluster of differentiation 9 (CD9), growth factor independence 1B transcriptional repressor (GFI1B), myosin light chain kinase (MYLK), and Ras suppressor-1 (RSU1). After removing biomarkers with lower validity and reliability, GFI1B, MYLK, and RSU1 were selected for subsequent analysis. The network toxicology results suggested that GA and its metabolite glycyrrhetinic acid may act on GFI1B, MYLK, and RSU1, influencing blood pressure fluctuations by modulating nitrogen metabolism signaling pathways. Conclusions: There were distinct differences in the effects of licorice functional components on blood pressure. Functional constituents dominated by GA were shown to increase both SBP and DBP, whereas those dominated by LF did not exhibit significant effects on blood pressure. The hypertensive mechanism of GA may involve the modulation of GFI1B, MYLK, and RSU1 to regulate nitrogen metabolic pathways.
... In the current study, no difference was observed in WG of broiler chickens fed 200mg/kg of LEO supplementation of diet, antibiotic, probiotic, and control diets. These antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects of its active components such as glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhizic acid, glabridin, apigenin, and licochalcone (Somjen et al., 2004;Tominaga et al., 2006). Likewise, some more studies on the effects of adding licorice and aloe vera extract in drinking water (at the level of 200 mg/kg) in broiler chickens demonstrated that they could result in greater FI and better FCR (Salary et al., 2014). ...
... The poor growth performance and high mortality (5.6 vs. 3.2%, not significantly) observed in the broiler chickens fed diet containing 400mg/kg of LEO could be attributed in part to licorice flavonoids of the diet. It has been reported that the high inclusion of licorice extract in broiler chickens diet (or other species of animal) decrease body weight through reducing carcass fat (Tominaga et al., 2006;Aoki et al., 2007). In this regard, Tominaga et al. (2006) indicated that licorice flavonoid oil is a safe functional food with a potential weight-reducing effect for humans, which can be consumed for long periods or at excessive intakes. ...
... It has been reported that the high inclusion of licorice extract in broiler chickens diet (or other species of animal) decrease body weight through reducing carcass fat (Tominaga et al., 2006;Aoki et al., 2007). In this regard, Tominaga et al. (2006) indicated that licorice flavonoid oil is a safe functional food with a potential weight-reducing effect for humans, which can be consumed for long periods or at excessive intakes. The toxic effects of licorice are well documented in human, but there are no reports on its potential toxicity in poultry. ...
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This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) essential oil (LEO) as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoter on growth performance, ileal microbial population, blood biochemical traits, and ascites sensitivity in broiler chickens. A total of 625 one-day-old broiler chickens were assigned to 5 dietary treatments, including control (un-supplemented basal diet), antibiotic (basal diet + 150 mg avilamycin/kg), probiotic (basal diet + 100 mg probiotic/kg), basal diet + 200 mg LEO/kg, and basal diet + 400 mg LEO/kg, in a completely randomized design, with 5 replicates of 25 broiler chickens per pen. Dietary inclusion of 200 mg LEO/kg increased feed intake compared to control and 400 mg LEO/kg treatments (P < 0.05). Broiler chickens fed the diet containing 200 mg LEO/kg showed greater weight gain and better feed conversion ratio (P < 0.05) compared to diets containing 400 mg LEO/kg. No differences were observed in feed intake and weight gain among diets containing 200 mg LEO/kg, antibiotic, probiotic, or control treatment. No differences in blood lipids, Alkaline phosphatase, and albumin were observed among all the treatments. The concentrations of total protein and globulin in serum of broiler chickens fed control diet were greater than broiler chickens that received antibiotic, probiotic, or 400 mg LEO/kg (P < 0.05). Diet containing 200 mg LEO/kg caused the greatest serum concentration of T3 or T4 (P < 0.05). The T4/T3 ratio in broiler chickens fed the diet containing 400 mg LEO/kg was greater than those fed the antibiotic or control diets (P < 0.05). Also, broiler chickens fed 400 mg LEO/kg diet had lower right ventricle /total ventricles ratio (RV/TV) than those fed the control, antibiotic, or 200 mg LEO/kg diets (P < 0.05). The ileal population of Escherichia coli in broiler chickens fed diets containing 200 or 400 mg LEO/kg was lower than those fed the control diet (P < 0.05). The result indicates that LEO can improve thyroid hormones and reduce the population of some potential pathogenic bacteria in broiler chickens' gut, resulting in better growth performance. Therefore, LEO can be recommended as much as 200 mg/kg of diet as an alternative to antibiotics in promoting the growth performance of broiler chickens.
... Thus, LFO intake inhibits muscle cell decomposition and promotes muscle cell growth [7,8]. Several clinical trials suggest that LFO effectively reduces body weight, body fat, and visceral fat accumulation, and improves metabolic syndrome among overweight middle-aged populations [9][10][11][12]. Therefore, this ingredient could help reduce obesity risk. ...
... Moreover, only a few clinical trials combining physical exercise with functional food intake have been conducted. Based on previous findings [9][10][11][12][13][14], LFO supplementation was hypothesized to increase both muscle mass and mobility functions among middle-aged and older individuals who underwent daily strength training, thereby prolonging the healthy life expectancy. ...
... Though the participants of this trial were not obese population, body weight and body fat decreased and muscle mass was maintained. Similar results were found in previous studies [9,10]. The present trial suggests that the BMI decrease arises from a decrease in body fat rather than muscle mass. ...
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AimsIn this study, the effects of licorice flavonoid oil (LFO) supplementation on mobility functions were evaluated in middle-aged and older women who underwent daily physical exercise.Methods The 73 women aged 59–85 years (71.2 ± 5.2 years) were randomly assigned to the LFO group (n = 37) or the placebo group (n = 36). For 16 weeks, the LFO group consumed a daily capsule containing 300 mg of LFO, while the placebo group consumed a placebo capsule. All participants were instructed to complete a strength training program during the 16 weeks and to increase their daily step count by 1000. 10-m walking speed (with/no obstruction), one-leg standing time with eyes open, handgrip strength, isometric knee extension strength, and body composition were evaluated at baseline and every eight weeks.ResultsIn the 10-m walking speeds (with/no obstruction), LFO supplementation did not show significant improvements. One-leg standing time was significantly prolonged with LFO intake (LFO: baseline 73.9 s vs 16 weeks 93.5, placebo: baseline 82.8 vs 16 weeks 87.1, p = 0.03). In addition, a significant decrease in BMI and body fat percentage with LFO was found (p = 0.01, p = 0.03, respectively).DiscussionSince a lower BMI corresponds to a lighter physical load on the lower limb, in addition, since LFO might improve skeletal muscle function by antioxidant activity, participants could stand longer and body balance control was improved.ConclusionLFO supplementation improved body balance control and may contribute to fall prevention in healthy middle-aged and older women having daily physical exercise.Trial RegistrationUMIN Clinical Trial Registry No. 000029712.
... It has also been suggested that ZAG may simulate adiponectin to protect against inflammation and the complications of obesity. 7 Prior studies have indicated that some medicinal herbs, such as Nigella sativa, 8 green tea 9 and Glycyrrhiza glabra 10,11 are involved in the regulation of hormones and weight. Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae family), generally known as Mulaithi or Licorice, is a medicinal herb which is widely grown in the Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia. ...
... Human and animal models have not demonstrated any toxic or serious side effects of licorice consumption. 14 It has been suggested that licorice root can alter body composition 10,11,15 and reduce insulin resistance. [16][17][18] However, there are limited clinical trials with contradictory results on the effects of licorice on obesity. ...
... [16][17][18] However, there are limited clinical trials with contradictory results on the effects of licorice on obesity. 10,15,19 To the best of our knowledge, no clinical trials have evaluated the effects of licorice supplement with a low-calorie diet on the management of obesity and hormonal regulation. Accordingly, the primary aim of this study was to determine the effects of dried licorice extract together with a calorie restricted diet on anthropometric indices, body composition, insulin resistance and adipokines in overweight and obese subjects. ...
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Purpose: Adipose tissue is a highly active endocrine organ which plays a key role in energy homeostasis. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of dried licorice extract along with a calorie restricted diet on body composition, insulin resistance and adipokines in overweight and obese subjects. Methods: Sixty-four overweight and obese volunteers (27 men, 37 women) were recruited into this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical trial. Participants were randomly allocated to the Licorice (n=32) or the placebo group (n=32), and each group received a low-calorie diet with either 1.5 g/day of Licorice extract or placebo for 8 weeks. Biochemical parameters, anthropometric indices, body composition and dietary intake were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. Results: A total of 58 subjects completed the trial. No side effects were observed following licorice supplementation. At the end of the study, waist circumference, fat mass, serum levels of vaspin, zinc-α2 glycoprotein, insulin and HOMA-IR were significantly decreased in the intervention group, but only the reduction in serum vaspin levels in the licorice group was significant when compared to the placebo group (p<0.01). Conclusion: Supplementation with dried licorice extract plus a low-calorie diet can increase vaspin levels in obese subjects. However, the anti-obesity effects of the intervention were not stronger than a low-calorie diet alone in the management of obesity.
... Tominaga et al. [9] proposed that licorice flavonoid oil (LFO) is a lipotropic agent that can be administered orally to human subjects over a long period of time in order to improve body composition and reduce the occurrence of obesity. Aoki et al. [10] also showed an increase in lean body mass and a decrease in abdominal fat pad as a physiological effect of LFO that stimulates lipid breakdown in adipocytes. ...
... Al-Daraji [16] also reported significantly lower abdominal fat percentage and unchanged carcass yield when heat-stressed broilers received water containing LE (0.45 g/L of water). Experiments in other species also showed that licorice flavonoids reduced the abdominal fat [9][10][11][12]. ...
... Therefore, LE may have exerted especial effects on lipid digestion and absorption, which could result in reduced energy consumption [30]; further experiments are necessary to confirm this result. Tominaga et al. [9] established a hypothesis that the weight loss by LFO is due to reduction in fatty acid synthesis and enhancement of fatty acid oxidation in the liver, and lines of evidence exist confirming this supposition. For example, Kamisoyama et al. [31] observed that the body weight and white adipose tissue mass of obese mice fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks were suppressed compared with the control by administration of LFO. ...
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The present study was conducted to determine the efficacy of licorice extract (LE) supplementation through drinking water as an alternative to an in-feed antibiotic growth promoter. A total of 400 1-day-old broiler chickens (Cobb 500) were randomly divided into 20 separate floor pens each comprising 20 chickens and 4 pens (replicates) per treatment in a completely randomized design. The treatments included a control (no input), a diet containing 5 mg/kg antibiotic (lincomycin), and drinking water supplemented with 0.1, 0.2, or 0.3 g/L of LE, respectively. The body weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were not significantly different among treatment groups (P > 0.05). Birds given drink water supplemented with 0.3 g/L of LE had significantly decreased abdominal fat percentage relative to control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, comparing with control, serum concentrations of glucose, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol were decreased by LE supplementation at all three tested levels (P < 0.05). Dietary supplemental of antibiotics also caused significant decreases in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations (P < 0.05). These results clearly showed that LE supplementation via drinking water had beneficial and positive influences on carcass quality and blood biochemical parameters of broiler chickens. However, because no significant difference was observed on growth performance among the broilers given the control, antibiotic, or the LE levels, further research is still needed to confirm the present results and to test the efficacy of LE as an alternative to an in-feed antibiotic growth promoter.
... Glabridin is a polyphenolic compound known to possess antioxidant, anti-Helicobacter pylori, estrogen-like, antinephritic and radical scavenging activities (Aoki et al., 2007;Raveendra et al., 2012). Licorice is widely available at the market in the form of licorice flavonoid oil (LFO), which is a concentrate of licorice flavonoids, being a new dietary ingredient for functional foods with potential benefits for overweight subjects (Tominaga et al., 2006). ...
... In recent years, licorice has gained scientific relevance and numerous clinical trials have been conducted: evaluating its potential to decrease transaminase activities in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (Hajiaghamohammadi et al., 2012); assessing its effects on lipid profile and other cardiovascular diseases biomarkers of patients (Mirtaheri et al., 2015;Panda et al., 2017); or studying the changes in body weight after its consumption (Tominaga et al., 2006;Kinoshita et al., 2016), for example. However, contradictory results are frequently observed with opposing conclusions obtained among the trials, making it difficult to find a consensus among scientists. ...
... The trial of (Bell et al., 2011) was divided into 2 studies based on the type of patients enrolled (recreationally active or athletic with trained resistance), as well as the trial of (Nazami et al., 2017) since the patients present the Pro/Ala or Pro/Pro genotypes. The work of (Tominaga et al., 2006) was separated in 2 trials: 12-weeks with 300 mg of LFO/day and 4-weeks with 1800 mg of LFO/day. The trial of (Tominaga et al., 2009) was divided into 6 different trials taking into account the combinations between the study duration (4 and 8-weeks) and the dosage of licorice (300, 600 and 900 mg of LFO/day). ...
Article
Background Licorice, also known as liquorice, refers to the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra L., a product widely available in the market in the form of licorice flavonoid oil (LFO), which is a concentrate of licorice flavonoids, being a dietary ingredient for functional foods with potential benefits for overweight subjects. Purpose To summarize the results of the numerous clinical trials, and to clarify the metabolic changes after licorice consumption, through a systematic review with meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis (TSA) of clinical trials. Methods This review was designed according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) recommendations. Several electronic databases were searched to identify the clinical trials. A meta-analysis approach was then developed to statistically analyze the results, followed by TSA and meta-regression analyses. Results A total 26 clinical trials were considered for the quantitative synthesis of the data, totalizing 985 patients enrolled. Overall, it was possible to verify that the licorice consumption significantly reduces the body weight (WMD: −0.433 kg; 95% CI: −0.683 to −0.183; p-value = 0.001) and consequently the body mass index (BMI) of patients (WMD: −0.150 kg/m²; 95% CI: −0.241 to −0.058; p-value = 0.001). Another result with statistical significance was the increase in the diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (1.737 mmHg; 95% CI: 0.835 to 2.621; p-value < 0.0001) observed for the group subjected to licorice consumption, which is related to the hypernatremia also caused by licorice. Conclusion The present meta-analysis demonstrated the positive effects of licorice consumption on the reduction of body weight and BMI of patients. However, the results also show the increase in blood pressure of patients associated with the hypernatremia caused by licorice. Consequently, licorice consumption should be avoided by hypertensive patients.
... 1,3 Additionally in the resent years, the anti-obesity effects of Licorice and its effective ingredients have been reported. [4][5][6][7][8][9] Obesity is a chronic metabolic disorder which defines as excessive or abnormal fat accumulation. 10 Obesity is one of the greatest health threats and it can result in a number of chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, dyslipidemia and some cancers. ...
... 10 Due to a dramatic increase in obesity prevalence, researchers attempt to find effective medications or supplements for obesity management. 4 Previous studies have demonstrated several side effects for antiobesity biochemical medications. 11 Therefore, tendency to using complementary therapies such as medicinal herbs is increasing. ...
... [12][13][14] However, there are limited clinical trials with contrary results for anti-obesity properties of Licorice. 4,[15][16][17] Obesity is a multi-factorial health problem which results from the interaction among metabolic, physiological, social, behavioural, and genetic factors. 10 Proliferator-activated receptor gamma-2 (PPAR-γ2) has been considered as a candidate gene for obesity phenotype and its complications. ...
Article
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Purpose: Obesity is a multi-factorial health problem which results from the interaction of environmental and genetic factors. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of dried licorice extract with a calorie restricted diet on anthropometric indices and insulin resistance with nutrigenetic approach. Methods: For this pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial, 72 eligible subjects were randomly allocated to Licorice or placebo group. They received a low-calorie diet either with a 1.5 g/day of Licorice extract or placebo for 8 weeks. Results: There were no significant differences in anthropometric indices and dietary intake in genotype subgroups at the baseline. Findings indicated that supplementation with Licorice extract did not change anthropometric indices and biochemical parameters significantly compared to a hypocaloric diet alone. However, from the nutrigenetic point of view, significant changes in anthropometric indices and QUICKI were observed in the Pro12Pro genotypes compared to the Pro12Ala at the end of the study (p
... It additionally enhances blood circulation in the mucous membranes of the gut, thereby improving the efficiency of nutrient utilization [20]. Furthermore, studies have shown that LE's active constituents-including glycyrrhizin, glycyrrhizic acid, glabridin, apigenin, and licochalcone-have a positive effect on broiler growth performance due to their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties [16,35]. These active constituents, mainly flavonoids, may increase levels of insulin-like growth factor-1 and stimulate animal growth by influencing the regulation of growth hormone and hepatic growth hormone receptors [36]. ...
... Prior research has shown that the flavonoids present in LE can reduce abdominal fat in broiler chickens [8] and other species [35,37], possibly through mechanisms such as energy intake suppression, reduced lipid absorption, increased fatty acid oxidation, or decreased fatty acid biosynthesis [8]. However, conflicting findings exist regarding LE's effect on abdominal fat. ...
Article
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In this systematic review, 79 research articles focusing on the impact of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (licorice) supplementation in broilers were meticulously examined, assessing growth performance, slaughter and carcass traits, and blood parameters. Out of these, 12 studies met the predefined criteria. Licorice supplementation, particularly in the absence of specific dietary constraints, significantly improved feed consumption, body weight gain, and feed conversion efficiency in broilers. The addition of licorice influenced slaughter and carcass traits, increasing the dressing percentage, although results varied based on dosage and form of supplementation. Effects on abdominal fat and spleen weights were inconsistent, while liver, heart, and gizzard weights generally increased. Licorice supplementation affected blood biochemistry, showing varied impacts on markers like glucose, cholesterol , and triglycerides. Notably, licorice exhibited potential antioxidant properties by reducing malondialdehyde levels, indicating decreased oxidative stress. The review highlighted diverse outcomes across growth performance, slaughter traits, carcass parameters, and blood biochemistry due to licorice supplementation. Variability in dosage, form, and administration methods underscored the need for standardized protocols. Future research should concentrate on uncovering underlying mechanisms, expanding geographical diversity, and exploring interactions with other feed additives, especially in antibiotic-free diets. Despite its promise, further investigation is necessary to optimize licorice's role in poultry production.
... However, previous clinical trials and animal research showed inconsistent results following intervention with different types of licorice supplements. In accordance with our results, in a study by Tominaga et al., supplementation with licorice flavonoid oil (LFO) for 12 weeks reduced weight gain in overweight subjects with unhealthy lifestyles [24]. In another study, A 12-week intervention with LFO (300 mg/day) significantly reduced WC and visceral fat in the U.S. population [25]. ...
... Accordingly, in a study by Alizadeh et al. supplementation with licorice extract in combination with a calorie-restricted diet didn't decrease FBS, insulin levels, and HOMA-IR compared to a low-calorie diet alone [18]. In another study, supplementation with LFO (1800 mg/day) was found not to be effective in the reduction of FBS and serum insulin levels after 12 weeks [24]. ...
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Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common ovarian dysfunction. Recent studies showed the effectiveness of licorice on metabolic profiles with inconsistent findings. So, we investigated the effect of licorice on obesity indices, glycemic indices, and lipid profiles in women with PCOS. Methods This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed on 66 overweight/obese women with PCOS. The participants were randomly assigned to receive either 1.5 gr/day licorice extract plus a low-calorie diet (n = 33) or placebo plus a low-calorie diet (n = 33) for 8 weeks. Participants’ anthropometric indices and body composition were assessed using standard protocols. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin levels, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured using enzymatic kits. The homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and HOMA of β-cell function (HOMA-B) were calculated using valid formulas. Results Between-group comparisons demonstrated significant differences between the groups in terms of obesity indices (body weight, BMI, and body fat), lipid profiles (TG, TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C), FBS and insulin levels, HOMA-IR, and HOMA-B at the end of the study (P < 0.05). Supplementation with licorice plus a low-calorie diet was also more effective in improving all parameters than a low-calorie diet alone after adjusting for confounders (baseline values, age, weight changes, and physical activity changes) (P < 0.05). Conclusion The findings showed that licorice consumption leads to improvements in obesity indices, glucose homeostasis, and lipid profiles compared to placebo. Due to possible limitations of the study, further research is needed to confirm these findings.
... In this study, the results highlighted that body weight decreased significantly from 17 to 19 weeks compared with control treatment by licorice extract, but no significant differences were found after the beginning of the laying period. Licorice extract may cause reduce body weight gain by increasing fatty acid oxidation and reducing fatty acid biosynthesis (Nakagawa et al., 2004;Tominaga et al., 2006;Dogan et al., 2018b). ...
... Therefore, calculating BMI for birds may provide valuable information related to body fat (Mendes et al., 2008). Nakagawa et al., (2004), Aoki et al., (2007), and Tominaga et al., (2006) have reported that significantly reduced the ventricular cavity fat by licorice essential oil in the diet of mice. Also, reduced abdominal fat content in the broilers by Licorice extract. ...
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Keywords Licorice extract Prebiotic Flavomaycin Performance Body mass index This study was conducted to investigate the effect of licorice (Glycyrrhizaglabra) extract, Active-mos®prebiotic, and flavomycin antibiotic on performance, egg quality, and body mass status in the pre and early laying periods. A total of 180 Leghorn pullets (Hy-line W-36), were assigned into 6 treatments (5 cages/treatment, 6 pullets/cage) in a completely randomized design. The experimental treatments included control (feed additive-free-diet), and control supplemented by licorice extract (5 and 10 g/kg of diet; as LIEX5 and LIEX10, respectively), flavomycin antibiotic (400 and 650 mg/kg of diet; as FL400 and FL650, respectively), and Active-mos ® prebiotic (1 kg/ton of diet; as ACPR). Birds were raised in a cage-layer facility. Body weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were determined weekly. Body mass index was recorded before and after using the treatments. Also, the growth, egg quality, egg cholesterol, serum cholesterol, and triglyceride were tested. During weeks 18 to 19 of age, birds received control, FL650, and ACPR treatments showed greater feed intake compared to LIEX10. The body weight of birds that received FL400 diet was greater than LIEX5 and ACPR treatments at weeks 17 to 19 of age. All treatments, except for ACPR, decreased serum cholesterol compared with the control treatment (P < 0.05). No significant effect on feed conversion ratio, egg production, and body mass index was observed by treatments throughout the study (17-25 wk). Furthermore, there was no significant effect of treatments on the eggs' internal and external quality status, egg cholesterol, and serum triglyceride by treatments. However, more research is needed on the use of licorice extract and prebiotics as antibiotic alternatives and their effects on the body mass index in laying hens during pre-and early-laying periods.
... Licorice was also found to reduce abdominal fat in broiler chickens by [11]. Licorice flavonoids also reduced abdominal fat in other species [43,44]. The effect of licorice on the reduction in abdominal fat could be due to suppression in energy intake, reduction in lipid absorption, enhancement of fatty acid oxidation, or reduction in the biosynthesis of fatty acids [44]. ...
... Licorice flavonoids also reduced abdominal fat in other species [43,44]. The effect of licorice on the reduction in abdominal fat could be due to suppression in energy intake, reduction in lipid absorption, enhancement of fatty acid oxidation, or reduction in the biosynthesis of fatty acids [44]. ...
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The objective of this study was to evaluate the Glycyrrhiza glabra effect on growth performance, blood parameters, antioxidant and lysosomal activity, histology and immunohistochemistry of liver and intestine, and the gene expression profile of broiler chickens. A total of 180 Cobb500 broiler chicks (one-week-old) were used in this study. Chicks were distributed randomly into three treatment groups; the first group received drinking water without any supplementation (control group). In contrast, birds in groups 2 and 3 received licorice supplementation in drinking water with 0.4 and 0.8 g licorice/liter, respectively. Results revealed that licorice at a 0.4 g/L of water level improved body weight, weight gain, feed intake, and FCR. Licorice also exhibits a broad range of biological activities such as hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, immunostimulant, and antioxidant effects. The morphometric analysis of different parameters of the intestine revealed a significant increase in the intestinal villi length, width, and villi length/crypt depth in the group supplemented with licorice 0.4 gm/L compared to other groups. The number of CD3 positive in both duodenum and ileum was increased in the licorice 0.4 gm/L group compared to other groups. The expression of growth-related genes was significantly increased with licorice supplementation and modulation of the lipid metabolism genes in the liver and upregulated to the mRNA expression of both superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and Catalase (CAT). Our results revealed that licorice supplementation increased the growth performance of broiler chickens and impacted the birds’ antioxidant activity through modulation of the growth-related genes, lipid metabolic markers, and antioxidant-related pathways.
... Glavonoid, whose major component is glabridin, is a natural supplement that is commonly known as licorice-derived flavonoid oil and is used in cosmetics, food, and tobacco and in both traditional medicine and herbal medicine (Tominaga et al., 2006;Kuroda et al., 2010;Lee et al., 2012). Glavonoid is sold commercially as an effective supplement for those purposes; it is also inexpensive and without obvious side effects. ...
... Glavonoid is an extract rich in polyphenol-type substances, which derives from licorice (G. glabra) using previously described methods (Aoki et al., 2005;Tominaga et al., 2006). In brief, we obtained crude extract from root or rootstock of licorice by using ethanol and then performed an extraction of this ethanol extract with medium-chain triglycerides (fatty acid composition C8: C10 = 99:1). ...
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Transthyretin (TTR) is an amyloidogenic protein associated with hereditary and nonhereditary transthyretin amyloidoses (ATTR). Dissociation of the tetramer of TTR to the monomer induces TTR misfolding, which leads to amyloid fibril formation and triggers the onset of ATTR amyloidosis. Stabilizers of tetrameric TTR have been accepted as an effective ATTR amyloidosis treatment while effect is limited and they are too expensive. The aim of our study was to find more effective and cheep natural compound to suppress TTR amyloid formation. Glabridin, a prenylated isoflavan isolated from Glycyrrhiza glabra L., stabilized the TTR tetramer in vitro. The effects of licorice-derived flavonoid oil—Glavonoid, a natural substance that includes glabridin and several polyphenols—on stabilizing the TTR tetramer must still be elucidated. To examine plasma TTR stabilization by Glavonoid in vitro, we investigated the feasibility of utilizing glabridin plus Glavonoid to prevent TTR amyloid fibril formation. Glavonoid mixed with human plasma samples at 24 h incubation in vitro increased the tetramer level (P < 0.05) and reduced the monomer level (P < 0.01) and the monomer/tetramer ratio (P < 0.05) of TTR compared to those without Glavonoid by immunoblot analysis, such effect could not observe in the presence of glabridin. Oral Glavonoid (300 mg for 12 weeks) in 7 healthy volunteers effectively increased the plasma glabridin concentration. Glavonoid increased the TTR tetramer level and reduced the monomer/tetramer ratio of TTR (P < 0.05) in plasma at 12 weeks in healthy volunteers compared to those of age matched control subjects without the supplement. Thus, oral Glavonoid may effectively prevent TTR amyloid fibril formation via TTR tetramer stabilization. Glavonoid may become a promising supplement before onset of ATTR amyloidosis.
... LFO was investigated in two RCTs (187 participants) which both used the commercially available proprietary product, Kaneka Glavonoid™ [63,64]. Both RCTs were performed by the same research team in Japan. ...
... The dosages ranged from 300 to 900 mg daily, delivered over 8-12 weeks. One of the RCTs reported a statistically significant weight difference of −0.7 kg in the treatment compared to placebo [63], while the other RCT reported a statistically significant weight difference of −1.0 kg with the highest dose of LFO compared to placebo [64]. These weight losses were below our threshold of clinical significance. ...
Article
A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to synthesise evidence on the efficacy of dietary supplements containing isolated organic compounds for weight loss. Four electronic databases (Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Cinahl) were searched until December 2019. Sixty-seven randomised placebo-controlled trials of dietary supplements containing isolated organic compounds for weight loss were included. Meta-analyses were conducted for chitosan, glucomannan, conjugated linoleic acid and fructans, comparing mean weight difference post-intervention between participants receiving the dietary supplement or placebo. Statistically significant weight differences compared to placebo were observed for chitosan (−1.84 kg; 95% confidence interval [CI] −2.79, −0.88; p < 0.01), glucomannan (−1.27 kg; 95%CI −2.45, −0.09; p = 0.04), and conjugated linoleic acid (−1.08 kg; 95%CI −1.61, −0.55; p < 0.01). None met our threshold for clinical significance (≥2.5 kg). There was no statistically significant effect on weight for fructans compared to placebo (p = 0.24). For dietary supplements with an inadequate number of trials for meta-analysis, a statistically and borderline clinically significant weight difference compared to placebo was found for modified cellulose, manno-oligosaccharides (in males), blood orange juice extract, and three multiple-ingredient dietary supplements. These were only reported in one trial of each. Thus, more evidence is needed before recommending them for weight loss. While some dietary supplements containing isolated organic compounds warrant further investigation to determine efficacy and safety, there is currently insufficient evidence to recommend any of these dietary supplements for weight loss.
... Sedghi et al. (2010) stated that dietary licorice supplementation for broiler chickens did not have any harmful effects on body weight (BW). However, licorice flavonoids decreased BW through its fat reducing effects in the body (Armanini et al., 2003;Tominaga et al., 2006). Previous studies reported that fatty acid (FA) oxidation enhancement and biosynthesis reduction are potential mechanisms for abdominal fat (AF) reduction and lower BW gain (Nakagawa et al., 2004;Aoki et al., 2007). ...
... However, some trials have shown otherwise, for example drinking water containing licorice supplementation had a positive and beneficial impact on carcass traits in broiler chickens (Naser et al., 2017), whereby carcass fat was reduced and subsequently body weight increased under high levels of licorice supplementation (Rezaei et al., 2014). Impact of licorice on the reduction of AF could be due to factors such as energy intake suppression, lipid absorption reduction, augmentation of fatty acids (FAs) oxidation or reduction in FAs biosynthesis (Tominaga et al., 2006). Al-Daraji (2013) illustrated that Fawbro broiler chicks receiving drinking water with 450 mg/l liquorice extract significantly increased the dressing percentage, when measured with or without giblets. ...
Article
Supplementation of poultry diets with medicinal plants containing bioactive molecules have shown promising results in promoting growth performance, enhancing feed efficiency, and improving carcass traits and meat quality. There are many studies using herbal plants and their derivatives involving liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), while studies using only liquorice are very limited. Liquorice contains bioactive components such as glycyrrhizin and flavonoids, and has been linked to many pharmacological effects like immunomodulatory, anti-oxidant, antiviral and anti-inflammatory activity. Supplementation of liquorice in poultry diets had beneficial impacts on growth and performance by improving organ development. In addition, there are appetite and digestion stimulating factors in liquorice. Dietary liquorice supplementation at level of 2.5 g/kg showed the best results in broiler chicken, and demonstrated it can be safely used in poultry diets. Addition of liquorice in diets up to 0.5% inclusion before sexual maturity enhanced performance of laying hens. Furthermore, broilers receiving drinking water containing 450 mg/l liquorice under heat stress significantly improved feed conversion and economic efficiency. Abdominal fat in broiler chickens was decreased when liquorice was included at 2 g/kg in feed or 0.3 g/l in drinking water. Broiler chickens with access to drinking water containing 450 mg/l of liquorice increased the dressing percentage, with or without giblets. Carcass organoleptics were improved in birds receiving drinking water with liquorice at levels of either 1, 2 and 4 mg/ kg body weight. This review describes the chemical composition, health benefits and beneficial applications of the liquorice herb and its effect on growth and productive performance, carcasses and meat quality, which will be useful for researchers, physiologists, nutritionists, veterinarians, scientists, pharmacists, pharmaceutical industries, and poultry breeders.
... The ingestion of LFO resulted in a significant reduction in body weight, waist circumference, and BMI from the baseline, with the degree of the reduction in these three parameters in the LFO group being significantly greater than in the placebo group. Tominaga et al (2006) reported that the ingestion of 3-fold diluted LFO at a daily dose of 300 mg (equivalent to 100mg of Flabonoid TM ) by mildly-obese healthy subjects between 24 and 64 years of age with a BMI between 24 and 30 kg/m 2 for 12 weeks resulted in significant differences with regards to changes in body weight and BMI between the LFO group and the placebo group at week 4, 8, and 12 after administration, in addition to post-ingestion at week 4 [19]. Furthermore, Tominaga et al (2009) also determined the effect of 3-fold diluted LFO intake at a daily dose of 900 mg (equivalent to 300 mg of Flabonoid TM ) in mildly-obese healthy subjects between 40 and 60 years of age with a BMI between 24 and 30 kg/m 2 for 8 weeks on total body fat and visceral fat together with body weight, BMI, and blood chemistry. ...
... The ingestion of LFO resulted in a significant reduction in body weight, waist circumference, and BMI from the baseline, with the degree of the reduction in these three parameters in the LFO group being significantly greater than in the placebo group. Tominaga et al (2006) reported that the ingestion of 3-fold diluted LFO at a daily dose of 300 mg (equivalent to 100mg of Flabonoid TM ) by mildly-obese healthy subjects between 24 and 64 years of age with a BMI between 24 and 30 kg/m 2 for 12 weeks resulted in significant differences with regards to changes in body weight and BMI between the LFO group and the placebo group at week 4, 8, and 12 after administration, in addition to post-ingestion at week 4 [19]. Furthermore, Tominaga et al (2009) also determined the effect of 3-fold diluted LFO intake at a daily dose of 900 mg (equivalent to 300 mg of Flabonoid TM ) in mildly-obese healthy subjects between 40 and 60 years of age with a BMI between 24 and 30 kg/m 2 for 8 weeks on total body fat and visceral fat together with body weight, BMI, and blood chemistry. ...
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Background:In order to evaluate the effects of licorice flavonoid oil (LFO)on abdominal waist circumference, blood pressure, body weight, body mass index (BMI), lipid profile, body fat composition,and fasting blood glucose in patients with metabolic syndrome, a 12 week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was conducted. Methods: Fifty patients with metabolic syndrome aged between 18-75 years were assigned toeither the LFO or placebo group. Abdominal waist circumference, blood pressure, body weight,and BMI were assessed atbaseline, week 4, week 8,and week 12. Clinical laboratory examinations, fat composition,andfasting blood glucose level wereassessed at baseline (week 0) and final visit(week 12).Results: Atotal of 50 subjects (25 subjects in each group)completed the 12-weekstudy. Significant difference inchangesfrom the baseline wasobserved in body weight, waist circumference,and BMI in the LFOgroup compared to the placebo group from week 4or week 8 onwards. No adverse events were noted throughout the study. Conclusion: The present study suggeststhat LFOisa promising dietary nutrient forimproving metabolic syndrome, particularlythroughits beneficial effect of normalizingbody weight, BMI,and possibly the amount of visceral fatand HDL cholesterol.Keywords: licorice flavonoid oil; Glycyrrhiza glabra L.; metabolic syndrome; body mass index
... Addition of liquorice root powder above 3 g/kg decreased the feed intake and bodyweight gain which could be due to the aromatic odour of liquorice root powder [23]. Studies also revealed that liquorice flavonoids can reduce the content of fat in the body and contribute to the loss in body weight [24]. This may be the reason behind the reduction in the body weight gain when liquorice is fed in higher levels. ...
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The principal constituent of liquorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is glycyrrhizin, a triterpene saponin that is approximately many times sweeter than sucrose, the main active component. This study aimed to investigate the dietary liquorice root powder (LRP) on production performance, serum biochemical, gut health and carcass characteristics of Kadaknath (KN) birds as replacement of antibiotic growth promoter. Day-old Kadaknath chicks (n = 240) with uniform body weight were selected randomly and divided into six different treatments, each one with five replicates and eight birds per replicate, and raised in battery brooder cages for 15 weeks. Corn soya based basal diet (T1) was prepared. In addition to the basal diet, five experimental diets were created with varying amounts of LRP i.e., T2: T1+ 0.1 % LRP, T3: T1+ 0.3 % LRP, T4: T1+ 0.5 % LRP, T5: T1+ 0.7 % LRP, and T6: T1+ 0.0335 % Chlortetracycline (CTC). Body weight gain and feed intake significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased in T3 group on 0–5 wks and 5–9 wks of age. Significant (P ≤ 0.01) reduction in the feed intake was noted in the T5 group which was fed with maximum level (0.7 %) of inclusion of LRP. Dietary inclusion of liquorice in higher doses resulted in a significant (P ≤ 0.05) decrease in serum lipids such as triglyceride, LDL, and total cholesterol concentrations and a significant increase in the HDL cholesterol. Decrease in the coliform count of caecum significantly (P ≤ 0.05), but dose-dependent lactobacilli proliferation was seen in the caecum of treated birds (P ≤ 0.01). Supplementation of liquorice root powder in kadaknath birds resulted in significant increase (P ≤ 0.05) in the villus length and VH: CD ratio. Thus it may be concluded that dietary supplementation of liquorice root powder improved the bird's growth performance, serum lipid profile and gut health of Kadaknath birds.
... Naser et al., (2017) reported that the amount of abdominal fat in chickens fed with water containing 0.3 g/L licorice was significantly reduced, and hydrophobic flavonoids were responsible for reducing abdominal fat (Nakagawa et al., 2004). The effect of licorice on reducing abdominal fat can be caused by factors such as suppressing energy intake, reducing fat absorption, increasing fatty acid oxidation or reducing abdominal fat biosynthesis (Tominaga et al., 2006). ...
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In order to investigate the effect of licorice medicinal plant on performance, carcass characteristics, fatty acid profile of breast muscle, intestinal microbial flora, blood constitutes and immunity of broiler chickens, an experiment using a completely randomized design with 3 treatments, 4 replications, 10 chicks per repetition and a total of 120 pieces of one-day-old male broiler chickens of commercial strain Ross 308 were performed for 42 days. Experimental treatments included three different levels of licorice (0, 300 and 400 mg/kg feed). Data was analyzed using SAS statistical software and averages were compared at the 5% probability level with Duncan's multiple range test. The results showed that although variation in feed consumption, weight gain and feed conversion ratio was not significant in any of the rearing periods (P≥0.05), the highest feed consumption, weight gain and the best feed conversion ratio was observed in the final period of chickens were fed with Diet containing 400mg/kg licorice. Also, according to the data, the best European index was related to this treatment. In addition, the use of two levels of licorice had no significant effect on carcass characteristics or intestinal microbial flora; however, the highest increase in body weight and the lowest number of Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria were observed at the higher level of licorice. However, these high levels did not lead to a decrease in abdominal fat. According to the results obtained, different levels of licorice led to a significant reduction of harmful fats such as cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL and LDL (P<0.05). Furthermore, although the level of HDL was not significant (P≥ 0.05), its highest amount was seen at high levels of licorice. In addition, the lowest amount of total protein, albumin and globulin was observed at the level of 400 mg/kg of licorice. According to these results, although the amount of glucose was lowest its level was not significant (P≥0.05), Also, the use of this same level of licorice had no significant effect on the function of the humoral immune system in response to antigen injection (SRBC Antibody against sheep red blood cell) or antibody titer against Newcastle virus and influenza (P≥0.05). Nevertheless, according to the data, the highest antibody titer against Newcastle virus and SRBC antigen was associated with this treatment. These results also showed that high levels of licorice led to an increase in the number of Bifidobacterium. Villi width and crypt depth decreased at the high dose of licorice, but the ratio of villi length to crypt depth increased. In addition, the use of different levels of licorice could not reduce the ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids compared to the control group. Therefore, based on the results of this research, it is recommended to use the level of 400 mg/kg of licorice to supplement the diet of broilers of Ross 308 strain.
... In another study, licorice flavonoids were found to reduce human abdominal fat by increasing fatty acid oxidation and reducing their biosynthesis. Mice fed with licorice showed that licorice can change the oxidation of some fatty acids and fatty acid synthesis pathways (Tominaga et al., 2006). Additionally, medicinal plants have been reported to enhance fat availability for lipolysis in birds (Chowdhury et al., 2002). ...
... However, contrary to the above observations the supplementation of glycyrrhiza in broiler chicken reduced the feed consumption and body weight gain of birds compared to control (Rezaei et al. 2014). The decrease in body weight has been attributed to liquorice flavonoids which have the potential to reduce the body fat content (Tominaga et al. 2006). Furthermore, the decline in growth performance at higher inclusion levels of herbal plants has also been ascribed to higher crude fiber levels, which potentially creates nutritional imbalances and negatively affects body metabolism (Vlaicu et al. 2021). ...
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Medicinal plants have grown in popularity as a result of their numerous health benefits in animals, birds, and humans. Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is a prominent traditional medicinal plant belonging to the Fabaceae family of legumes. The principal constituent of liquorice root is glycyrrhizin. Liquorice extract have been noted to have a significant antimicrobial (antifungal, antibacterial, antibiotic, antiviral, antiseptic, and antiprotozoal) effects. Improved feed conversion ratio, average body weight, and feed intake have been observed in quails supplemented with dietary 200 ppm of liquorice root extract and 1% probiotic in their diet. The liquorice extract has been found to have immunogenic and antioxidant properties, which could help poultry improve their growth performance, feed efficiency, carcass characteristics, and serum biochemistry, and can potentially act as a viable alternative to antibiotics in the treatment and prevention of various respiratory, digestive, and immune disorders.
... In contrast, a study by Rezaei et al. [42] discovered that adding glycyrrhiza to grill chicken meals reduced the amount of feed consumed and the amount of weight growth experienced by the birds compared to the control group. The possible fat-burning properties of liquorice flavonoids have been suggested as the cause of this drop in body weight [43]. ...
... Therefore, it seems that licorice extract has decreased the feed intake and increased the digestibility and absorption of calcium in laying hens. While the examination of the results of other experiments on mice showed that no change in the amount of food consumed when using different amounts of licorice compared to the control group was observed [40,41] . ...
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Medicinal plants are prevalent due to their many useful uses in the health of animals, poultry, and humans. Today, the addition of feed additives and feed supplements including prebiotics, plant extracts, and probiotics in the diet of farm animals is increasing because of their useful applications, including increasing yield and production, as well as maintaining the health of livestock and poultry. The purpose of using growth-promoting antibiotic substitutes in livestock and poultry feed is to change the microbial flora in the host's digestive system to improve animal health and growth. These compounds, while increasing nutrient digestibility, reduce pathogens' growth through competitive elimination mechanisms and stimulation of immune-related organs. Plant extracts with high amounts of phenolic and flavonoid compounds have stronger antioxidant activity. Based on this, the approach of the World Health Organization to the discussion of ethnopharmacology, the identification, and investigation of the medicinal effects of those plants, has been increased in traditional medicine to produce low-risk drugs and natural antioxidants.
... Likewise, Reda et al. (2011) and Iqbal et al. (2020) demonstrated that adding Lic-extract to broiler diets or drinking water did not affect the relative weight of the edible organs but reduced carcass fat Rezaei et al. (2014). Furthermore, the reduction of abdominal fat of these chicks that received Lic-extract could be because of licorice on suppression of energy consumption, reduction of lipid absorption, increasing the oxidation of fatty acids, or decline in fatty acids biosynthesis (Tominaga et al., 2006). However, plasma ALT and AST of chicks were significantly increased by adding Licextract to drinking water (Salary et al., 2014). ...
Article
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Some studies have suggested that dietary medicinal plants or herbs may have a variety of biological functions such as anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antifungal, antioxidative stress, and anticarcinogenic activities. The present study was undertaken to assess the incorporation of the extract of licorice supplementation on the growth performance, carcass yield, blood indices, and antioxidative capacity in broilers. Three hundred twenty unsexed one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were allocated randomly into four groups. Chicks in each group were randomly subdivided into eight replicates of ten chicks. The 1st group received a basal diet and was considered a control. The respective groups received a basal diet supplemented with 1, 2, and 3 g licorice extract/kg diet. The obtained results indicated that supplementation of licorice extract to broiler chicks resulted in heavier body weight and weight gain and a better feed conversion ratio during the experimental periods compared with the control group. However, feed consumption increased during the entire growing period. Supplementing the broiler’s diet with licorice extract led to a higher value of erythrocytes, leukocytes, haemoglobin, plasma total protein, albumin, and antioxidant concentration and a low value in plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, uric acid, urea, and total cholesterol. It could be concluded that the dietary addition of licorice extracts 2 and 3 g licorice extract/kg diet improved broiler chicks' growth performance and physiological status.
... These findings are in agreement with previous studies supporting the ability of E. abyssinica stem bark as a weight-limiting complementary medicinal option for regular use [30]. These observations could be associated with the phytochemical profiles of the extract (in particular flavonoids) since these have strong weight-limiting effects [31,32]. In obesity, reactive oxygen species disrupt neuromuscular coordination [33], showing that high concentrations of the extract are associated with beneficial physiochemical and biochemical health effects. ...
... These findings are in agreement with previous studies supporting the ability of E. abyssinica stem bark as a weight-limiting complementary medicinal option for regular use [30]. These observations could be associated with the phytochemical profiles of the extract (in particular flavonoids) since these have strong weight-limiting effects [31,32]. In obesity, reactive oxygen species disrupt neuromuscular coordination [33], showing that high concentrations of the extract are associated with beneficial physiochemical and biochemical health effects. ...
Article
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Background: An in vitro assay on Sigmoidin A from Erythrina abyssinica stem bark revealed its potency to inhibit pancreatic lipase. However, studies indicate activity of extract bioactive compounds in combination far exceed the favorable effects of each individual compound due to synergy and additive effects. In this study, we provide information on the effect of E. abyssinica stem bark extract in Drosophila melanogaster. The objective of the study was to determine the safety and effects of E. abyssinica stem bark extract on fly survival, body weight, tri-glycerides, sterol, total protein, and catalase activity of obese male D. melanogaster. Methods: Obesity was induced by exposing D. melanogaster white mutant w 1118 to coconut food for two weeks. Groups 1-3 were fed on coconut food þ fenofibrate at 25 mM, 50 mM, and 75 mM. Groups 4-6 were fed on coconut food þ E. abyssinica stem bark extract at concentrations of 2.5 g/ml, 5.0 g/ml, and 7.5 g/ml. The positive control was exposed to only coconut food while the negative control was on regular food. Fly survival observations were done for 15 days, while acute and chronic effects were done at 30 min and after 48 h respectively following treatment. Body mass, negative geotaxis, reducing power of the extract, triglycerides (TG/TP), sterol, total protein levels, and catalase activity were measured after 10 days of exposure to the experimental diets. Results: Fly survival changes were observed after 10 days and E. abyssinica stem bark extract had the strongest reducing power at 7.5 g/ml extract concentration. E. abyssinica stem bark extract reduced body mass, triglyceride levels (TG/TP), sterol levels, and modulated catalase activity at 7.5 g/ml extract concentration. Though the standard drug fenofibrate had the highest fat accumulation reduction potential, the extract at 7.5 g/ml was much safer in reducing fat accumulation in obese male D. melanogaster than other concentration used. Conclusion: Antioxidants in E. abyssinica stem bark extract are responsible for the observed anti-obesity activity.
... These findings are in agreement with previous studies supporting the ability of E. abyssinica stem bark as a weight-limiting complementary medicinal option for regular use [30]. These observations could be associated with the phytochemical profiles of the extract (in particular flavonoids) since these have strong weight-limiting effects [31,32]. In obesity, reactive oxygen species disrupt neuromuscular coordination [33], showing that high concentrations of the extract are associated with beneficial physiochemical and biochemical health effects. ...
Article
Full-text available
Background An in vitro assay on Sigmoidin A from Erythrina abyssinica stem bark revealed its potency to inhibit pancreatic lipase. However, studies indicate activity of extract bioactive compounds in combination far exceed the favorable effects of each individual compound due to synergy and additive effects. In this study, we provide information on the effect of E. abyssinica stem bark extract in Drosophila melanogaster. The objective of the study was to determine the safety and effects of E. abyssinica stem bark extract on fly survival, body weight, triglycerides, sterol, total protein, and catalase activity of obese male D. melanogaster. Methods Obesity was induced by exposing D. melanogaster white mutant w¹¹¹⁸ to coconut food for two weeks. Groups 1–3 were fed on coconut food + fenofibrate at 25 mM, 50 mM, and 75 mM. Groups 4–6 were fed on coconut food + E. abyssinica stem bark extract at concentrations of 2.5 g/ml, 5.0 g/ml, and 7.5 g/ml. The positive control was exposed to only coconut food while the negative control was on regular food. Fly survival observations were done for 15 days, while acute and chronic effects were done at 30 min and after 48 h respectively following treatment. Body mass, negative geotaxis, reducing power of the extract, triglycerides (TG/TP), sterol, total protein levels, and catalase activity were measured after 10 days of exposure to the experimental diets. Results Fly survival changes were observed after 10 days and E. abyssinica stem bark extract had the strongest reducing power at 7.5 g/ml extract concentration. E. abyssinica stem bark extract reduced body mass, triglyceride levels (TG/TP), sterol levels, and modulated catalase activity at 7.5 g/ml extract concentration. Though the standard drug fenofibrate had the highest fat accumulation reduction potential, the extract at 7.5 g/ml was much safer in reducing fat accumulation in obese male D. melanogaster than other concentration used. Conclusion Antioxidants in E. abyssinica stem bark extract are responsible for the observed anti-obesity activity.
... Therefore, it might be possible that the increase of digestion and absorption of essential nutrients due to increasing the enzyme activity and / or inhibition of pathogenic microorganism's growth could be the main reason of licorice medicine plant to accelerate the performance. Previous studies with other species of animals have shown that licorice flavonoids suppress body weight (BW) by reducing body fat mass (Armanini et al., 2002;Nakagawa et al., 2004;Tominaga et al., 2006;Aoki et al., 2007). Indeed, increase of digestion and absorption of essential nutrients and increasing the availability and utilization of feed ingredients' energy and exist of sterols plant might lead to increased egg production in group 5 by using 2% powder licorice medicine plant. ...
... Nair et al. [14] stated that Cardamom contains phenolic antioxidant compounds and flavonoids about 50-100 mg in the form of quercetin, kaempferol, luteolin and pelargonidin. Cardamom leaf flavonoid has been proven as antidiabetic, controlling weight lost, hypocholesterolemic [21], decreases atherogenic index, blood sugar level [18], and decreased oxidative stress of alloxan induced diabetic mice [4]. Cardamom leaf has also been formulated and patented by Winarsi et al. [23] (as a functional drink rich in flavonoid and as an anti-atherogenic agents for women with type-2 diabetes mellitus). ...
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Oxidative stress triggers the emergence of degenerative diseases. Antioxidant-rich products have been shown to reduce the degree of oxidative stress. Cardamom rhizome is reported to be rich in antioxidants, but the components and levels are unknown. This study aims to explore the flavonoids, vitamin C and essential oils content in cardamom rhizome, and its potential as functional food ingredients. The research method used is quantitative exploration. Cardamom rhizome is washed, thin sliced, oven dried at 50-60oC, then ground into flour. Cardamom rhizome flour was then analyzed for flavonoids, vitamin C and essential oils content. The results show that level of flavonoid is 324.51 mg/g extract, vitamin C 0.73 mg/g extract; and essential oil 0.22 ml/g extract. Cardamom rhizome flavonoid level is almost 3 times higher than that of leaf. Meanwhile cardamom leaf has been proven able to be formulated into functional drinks. On the other hand, flavonoids, vitamin C, and essential oils are known to many experts as potential antioxidant compounds, and are beneficial for health. Therefore, it is believed that cardamom rhizome can be used as a component of functional food. In conclusion, cardamom rhizome is rich in flavonoid antioxidant and has the potential as a functional food ingredient. Keywords: cardamom rhizome, flavonoid, vitamin C, essential oil, functional food.
... In this study, final body weight of the licorice root addition group was found to be lower than the control group. Some studies have shown that licorice flavonoids have suppressed body weight by reducing the fat content of the body (Nakagawa et al., 2004;Tominaga et al., 2006). Researchers suggested that the possible mechanism for the reduction of visceral fat and low body weight gain; increase of fatty acid oxidation and reduction of fatty acid biosynthesis. ...
Article
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The current study was conducted to determine the effects of the licorice root (Glycyrrhriza glabra) in laying hens diets on performance, egg cholesterol, some plasma parameters and antioxidant capacity. One hundred, 40-week old laying hens were divided into four groups, each group consisted of 25 hens and were placed in individual cages. The mean of the initial body weight of laying hens was 1829.18±9.595 g. Commercial laying hen diet was supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% levels of licorice root powder and four different dietary groups were formed. From the experimental findings, it was ascertained that the licorice root supplementation had no significant effect on egg weight and feed conversion ratio (p>0.05), but feed consumption decreased with increasing licorice root (p<0.05).Egg yield was recorded as 88.94%, 89.56%, 86.82% and 85.02% in the groups of 0, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0, respectively (p<0.05).Plasma low density lipoprotein (LDL) and egg yolk cholesterol level decreased with the addition of licorice root, while plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) level was increased with licorice root addition (p<0.05). Licorice root addition had a positive effect on total antioxidant capacity (TAS) of plasma. It was determined that the total antioxidant capacity was increased by increasing amount of licorice root. From the overall findings, it can be concluded that licorice root could be used as a feed additive without any adverse effect on performance. It has been demonstrated that the licorice root enables the production of functional eggs.
... The cardamom leaves are never being used by the growers or farmers, however, Winarsi et al. (2012) reported that the cardamom leaves contain 129.6±6.9 mg/g flavonoid and vitamin C 19.22±1.1 mg/g. It has been reported that flavonoid has antioxidant (Coskun et al., 2005), antidiabetic (Dewanjee et al., 2008), hypocholesterolemic characteristic (Fuhrman et al., 2000), and capable to control body weight (Yuji et al., 2006). Winarsi et al. (2012) were also noted that the IC 50 of cardamom leaves extract was smaller than that of ascorbic acids. ...
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Current study was proposed to know the potency of Cardamom leaves as antidiabetic, weight lost, and hypocholesterolemic on alloxan-induced Sprague-Dawley rats. The Cardamom leaves were prepared as extract using ethanol and its termed as ethanolic cardamom leaves extract (ECLE). Thirty of 45 rats were induced with alloxan at the dose of 120 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneal. Blood glucose level of the rats were measured after 7 days of alloxan induction and forced to fast overnight. For this purpose, we split the rats into three different groups consisted of 15 rats each. Group I; the diabetic rats were given fed added by the ECLE, Group II; the diabetic rats were only given fed, and Group III; were non diabetic rats and given only fed. Intervention was observed for 14 days, and blood sample were taken 3 times i.e.: 0, 7 and 14 days after being intervented. One mL blood was taken from eyes sub-orbital using hematocrit capillary tube then transferred to eppendorf tube containing 10% EDTA. Samples were then centrifuged at 3,000 rpm, for 10 minutes. Blood glucose and cholesterol level were quantified after blood plasma was obtained. The rats body weight were measured simultaneously with that of blood sampling. Data were then analyzed by analysis of variance, and followed by Duncan test whenever there were a 5% significant different. Data showed that blood glucose level of rats group I decreased from 201.7 to 102. 8 mg/dl (P = 0.017), cholesterol level from 77.6 to 56 mg/dl (P = 0.025), but not to the rats body weight which increased as also noted from the non-diabetic rat (P = 0.92). ECLE is potential to be used as functional food component for therapeutic of diabetic patient. Introduction
... The ingestion of LFO resulted in a significant reduction in body weight, waist circumference, and BMI from the baseline, with the degree of the reduction in these three parameters in the LFO group being significantly greater than in the placebo group. Tominaga et al (2006) reported that the ingestion of 3-fold diluted LFO at a daily dose of 300 mg (equivalent to 100mg of Flabonoid TM ) by mildly-obese healthy subjects between 24 and 64 years of age with a BMI between 24 and 30 kg/m 2 for 12 weeks resulted in significant differences with regards to changes in body weight and BMI between the LFO group and the placebo group at week 4, 8, and 12 after administration, in addition to post-ingestion at week 4 [19]. Furthermore, Tominaga et al (2009) also determined the effect of 3-fold diluted LFO intake at a daily dose of 900 mg (equivalent to 300 mg of Flabonoid TM ) in mildly-obese healthy subjects between 40 and 60 years of age with a BMI between 24 and 30 kg/m 2 for 8 weeks on total body fat and visceral fat together with body weight, BMI, and blood chemistry. ...
Research
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FFHD Print Issue (March 2017)
... The versatile health benefit of flavonoids is well known. Antioxidant activity [7,8], weight management [9,10], cardiovascular disease protection [11,12], allergy [13], vascular fragility [14,15], viral and bacterial infection [16,17], antinflammatory activity ...
Article
In this review we report the recent advances in anticancer activity of the family of natural occurring flavonoids, covering the time span of the last five years. The bibliographic data will be grouped, on the basis of biological information, in two great categories: reports in which the extract plants bioactivity is reported and the identification of each flavonoid is present or not, and reports in which the anticancer activity is attributable to purified and identified flavonoids from plants. Wherever possible, the targets and mechanisms of action as well as the structure-activity relationships of the molecules will be reported. Also, in the review it was thoroughly investigated the recent discovery on flavonoids containing the 2-phenyl-4H-chromen-4-one system even if some examples of unusual flavonoids, bearing a non-aromatic B-ring or other ring condensed to the base structure are reported.
... The cardamom leaves are never being used by the growers or farmers, however, Winarsi et al. (2012) reported that the cardamom leaves contain 129.6±6.9 mg/g flavonoid and vitamin C 19.22±1.1 mg/g. It has been reported that flavonoid has antioxidant (Coskun et al., 2005), antidiabetic (Dewanjee et al., 2008), hypocholesterolemic characteristic (Fuhrman et al., 2000), and capable to control body weight (Yuji et al., 2006). Winarsi et al. (2012) were also noted that the IC 50 of cardamom leaves extract was smaller than that of ascorbic acids. ...
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Current study was proposed to know the potency of Cardamom leaves as antidiabetic, weight lost, and hypocholesterolemic on alloxan-induced Sprague-Dawley rats. The Cardamom leaves were prepared as extract using ethanol and its termed as ethanolic cardamom leaves extract (ECLE). Thirty of 45 rats were induced with alloxan at the dose of 120 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneal. Blood glucose level of the rats were measured after 7 days of alloxan induction and forced to fast overnight. For this purpose, we split the rats into three different groups consisted of 15 rats each. Group I; the diabetic rats were given fed added by the ECLE, Group II; the diabetic rats were only given fed, and Group III; were non diabetic rats and given only fed. Intervention was observed for 14 days, and blood sample were taken 3 times i.e.: 0, 7 and 14 days after being intervented. One mL blood was taken from eyes sub-orbital using hematocrit capillary tube then transferred to eppendorf tube containing 10% EDTA. Samples were then centrifuged at 3,000 rpm, for 10 minutes. Blood glucose and cholesterol level were quantified after blood plasma was obtained. The rats body weight were measured simultaneously with that of blood sampling. Data were then analyzed by analysis of variance, and followed by Duncan test whenever there were a 5% significant different. Data showed that blood glucose level of rats group I decreased from 201.7 to 102. 8 mg/dl (P = 0.017), cholesterol level from 77.6 to 56 mg/dl (P = 0.025), but not to the rats body weight which increased as also noted from the non-diabetic rat (P = 0.92). ECLE is potential to be used as functional food component for therapeutic of diabetic patient.
... Each test capsule contained 100 mg of LFO concentrate solution, 200 mg MCT and 33% beeswax in a soft gel, while each placebo capsule contained 300 mg MCT and 33% beeswax alone. Previous human safety studies confirmed the safety of 600 mg of LFO concentrate solution (6). The maximum recommended daily dose of Kaneka Glavonoid TM is 300 mg. ...
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Licorice flavonoid oil (LFO) is a new functional food ingredient consisting of hydrophobic licorice polyphenols in medium-chain triglycerides. Recent studies reported that LFO prevented and ameliorated diet-induced obesity via the regulation of lipid metabolism-related gene expression in the livers of mice and rats, while it reduced body weight in overweight human subjects by reducing total body fat. However, the direct effects of LFO on energy metabolism have not been studied in human subjects. Therefore, we investigated the effects of ingestion of LFO on energy metabolism, including fat oxidation, by measuring body surface temperature under resting conditions and respiratory gas analysis under exercise conditions in healthy humans. We showed that ingestion of a single 600 mg dose of LFO elevated body trunk skin temperature when measured in a slightly cooled air-conditioned room, and increased oxygen consumption and decreased the respiratory exchange ratio as measured by respiratory gas analysis during 40% Vo2max exercise with a cycle ergometer. Furthermore, repeated ingestion of 300 mg of LFO for 8 d decreased respiratory exchange during the recovery period following 40 min of 30% Vo2max exercise on a treadmill. These results suggest that LFO enhances fat oxidation in humans during light exercise. © 2015, Center for Academic Publications Japan. All rights reserved.
... These results are comparable with those reported recently by other researchers [11,17], who studied the effect of dietary supplementation of LE on broiler chickens (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg) and Japanese quails (0.2 g/kg). However, previous studies with other animal species have shown that licorice flavonoids (0.5-2.0% of diet for 8-12 weeks) suppress body weight by reducing body fat content [18][19][20]. They suggested the enhancement of fatty acid oxidation and reduction in biosynthesis of fatty acids as the possible mechanisms for the reduction of abdominal fat and lower body weight gains. ...
... No significant effects were observed in anthropometric indices after 6 weeks postintervention. According to Tominaga et al. [32] the minimum amount of flavonoids resulting in weight loss and body fat percentage reduction was 300 mg/day for 12 weeks, while the flavonoid content of FDS powder in our study was 150-200 mg per 50 g ( table 2 ) for 6 weeks. Moreover, to control the confounding factors, patients in our study were asked to maintain their dietary intake during the intervention. ...
Article
Licorice (Glycyrrhizae Radix; the root of Glycyrrhiza uralensis) was fed to peripartum dairy cows to investigate its effects on inflammation, lipid metabolism, body weight, reproductive performance and disease incidence. Thirty-five multiparous lactating Holstein cows were divided into two groups: an untreated control group and a licorice group (20 g of licorice powder/head/day from 21 days before calving to 14 days after calving). There was no difference between the groups in liver inflammatory markers, i.e., blood haptoglobin and serum amyloid A concentrations, or in the number of postpartum diseases throughout the study period. In the licorice group after calving, the body weight loss was smaller, and the blood non-esterified fatty acid concentration was decreased significantly. Furthermore, the number of conceptions within 149 days of calving was numerically higher in the licorice group than in the control group. These results suggest that licorice may improve lipid metabolism, although its anti-inflammatory effect on the liver was not demonstrated.
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Apical-out enteroids mimic the in vivo environment well due to their accessible apical surface and mucus layer, making them an ideal model for studying the impact of (bioactive) food compounds. Generated human ileal apical-out enteroids showed a fucose-containing mucus layer surrounding the apical brush border on their exposure side, indicating their physiological relevance. Effects on the mucosal epithelium of antibacterial prenylated phenolics (glabridin, licochalcone A, and glycycoumarin) from licorice roots were investigated for cytotoxicity, cell viability, barrier integrity, and biotransformation. At concentrations up to 500 μg mL–1, licochalcone A and glycycoumarin did not significantly affect apical-out enteroids, with cytotoxicities of −6 ± 2 and −2 ± 2% and cell viabilities of 77 ± 22 and 77 ± 13%, respectively (p > 0.05). Conversely, 500 μg mL–1 glabridin induced significant cytotoxicity (31 ± 25%, p < 0.05) and reduced cell viability (21 ± 14%, p < 0.01). Apical-out enteroids revealed differential sensitivities to prenylated phenolics not observed in apical-in enteroids and Caco-2 cells. Both enteroid models showed phase II biotransformation but differed in the extent of glucuronide conversion. The apical mucus layer of apical-out enteroids likely contributed to these differential interactions, potentially due to differences in electrostatic repulsion. This study underscores the relevance of 3D apical-out enteroid models and highlights the promise of prenylated phenolics for antimicrobial applications.
Chapter
From a strategic perspective, food security is one of the most important pillars of national security for human societies. Introduction of effective new feed additives in livestock and poultry nutrition can be a key to sustainable food security by increasing animal performance and improving animal health. Continuous research in this area is necessary because certain feed additives can also combat pathogens and ameliorate the use of antibiotics. Future studies on feed additives should be aimed at determining their optimal levels to maximize the goals of improved production efficiency and conversion ratio and consequently the quality and quantity of livestock products. By improving bioavailability, digestibility, and effectiveness of additives, we will be able to use them more accurately in animal diets without any worry about their side effects. Synthetic additives with new formulations along with bioactive compounds derived from plants can help attain this goal. Some of the known compounds include phenolic compounds, essential oils, terpenoids, phytosterols, polycosanols, and tocopherols, which can improve feed conversion ratio and production performance just like synthetic additives. The use of these compounds can also lead to the production of high-quality organic products. Therefore, understanding the mechanism of action of bioactive compounds in the body physiology and biochemical status of domestic animals can be one of the goals of future studies. In this chapter, we provide information on the selection of additives by presenting the latest studies on the use of well-known and lesser-known additives as well as the simultaneous use of several additives in animal nutrition by discussing their mechanisms of action and beneficial physiological and biochemical effects. We also list a series of new plant supplements containing valuable bioactive compounds to encourage researchers to study the use of these new plants in various forms in livestock and poultry nutrition.
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This study was done on thirty mature male rabbits of 1500 gm mean body weight, those rabbits were randomly divided into three equal experimental groups of ten animals each .The first group was regarded as control group and drenched 3 ml normal saline daily for one month. The second group animals were drenched 3ml of licorice root water extract daily for one month also. While the third group animals were drenched 3ml of water extract of oregano daily for one month also. At the end of the drenching period blood samples were drawn from all animals by heart puncture and blood was analyzed for total RBC count; Hb %; pcv%; total leukocytic count and blood indices of MCH; MCV, and MCHC were calculated in addition to doing blood smears from each animal to estimate percentages of differential leukocytic count. Results revealed that drenching licorice water extract had a significant increase (p<0.05) on total RBC count; total WBC count and neutrophils also, significant decrease in MCHC and eosinophil, whereas results of drenching water extract of Oreganum vulgari caused significant increase on total leukocytic count , MCV and neutrophil while RBC had no significant effect so, PCV, Hb, had no effect in the two experimental.
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Obesity is one of major risk factors increasing chronic diseases including type II diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension. The effects of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), the major active compound in green tea, on reduced obesity and improved metabolic profiles are still controversial. Furthermore, the effects of EGCG on human adipocyte lipolysis and browning of white adipocytes have not been elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the effects of EGCG on obesity, lipolysis, and browning of human white adipocytes. The results showed that, when compared to the baseline values, EGCG significantly decreased fasting plasma triglyceride levels (P < 0.05), systolic blood pressure (P < 0.05), diastolic blood pressure (P < 0.05), and serum kisspeptin levels (P < 0.05) after 8 weeks of supplement. On the other hand, supplement of EGCG in obese human subjects for 4 or 8 weeks did not decrease body weight, body mass index, waist and hip circumferences, nor total body fat mass or percentage when compared to their baseline values. The study in human adipocytes showed that EGCG did not increase the glycerol release when compared to vehicle, suggesting that it had no lipolytic effect. Furthermore, treatment of EGCG did not enhance uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) mRNA expression in human white adipocytes when compared with treatment of pioglitazone, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) agonist, suggesting that EGCG did not augment the browning effect of PPAR-γ on white adipocytes. This study revealed that EGCG reduced 2 metabolic risk factors which are triglyceride and blood pressure in the human experiment. We also showed a novel evidence that EGCG decreased kisspeptin levels. However, EGCG had no effects on obesity reduction in humans, lipolysis, nor browning of human white adipocytes.
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AbstrakPenelitian untuk mengetahui efek terapi akupunktur dan herbal pada pengobatan tradisional komplementer dalam menurunkan kelebihan berat badan (overweight) telah dilakukan. Pada studi ini, pasien mengalami sindrom stagnasi Qi dan stasis darah. Pasien mendapatkan terapi akupunktur pada titik tianshu (ST 25), zusanli (ST 36), dan zhong (CV 17), dan taichong (LV 3) dengan menggunakan elektrostimulator yang berfungsi untuk mengaktivasi sirkulasi Qi dan darah serta menghilangkan stasis darah. Terapi herbal akar manis (Glycyrrhiza glabra) mengandung flavonoid yaitu glabridin berfungsi menurunkan berat badan. Terapi akupunktur diberikan sebanyak 12 kali terapi dengan jangka waktu 1 minggu 3 kali setiap terapi serta terapi herbal diberikan setiap hari selama 28 hari, diminum 2 kali sehari. Hasil studi kasus pasien mengalami penurunan berat badan sebesar 8,5% dari 68,4 kg menjadi 62,6 kg yang disertai dengan penurunan indeks IMT dan lingkar pinggang. Hasil pengamatan ini dapat digunakan sebagai bahan masukan dan memperkuat konsep pengobatan tradisional tentang akupunktur pada titik tianshu (ST 25), zusanli (ST 36), dan zhong (CV 17), dan taichong (LV 3) serta terapi herbal akar manis (Glyzhirriza glabra), pada kasus overweight. Juga bermanfaat untuk pengembangan lebih lanjut khususnya mengenai efektifitas terapi akupunktur dan herbal dalam upaya pencegahan dan penanggulangan masalah kesehatan ini. Kata kunci—Overweight, Akupunktur, terapi herbal, akar manis, Glyzhirriza glabra
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Herbal-flavonoids (HF) as polyphenolic secondary metabolites are taken in the daily diet to join in many metabolic processes in the human organism. Anti-proliferative activities and human serum albumin (HSA) binding capacities of herbal-flavonoids namely 7,5’-dimethoxyisoetin (HF1), homoorientin-6’’-4-O-methyl-myo-inositol (HF2), (2R, 3R)-(+)-dihydrokaempferol-7,4’-dimethylether (HF3), eriodictyol-7,4’-dimethylether (HF4) and flavonoids isoorientin (HF5) and genkwanin (HF6) were investigated. Anti-proliferative activities were determined by the xCELLigence system by treatment with human prostate (PC3) and cervical cancer (HeLa) cells. The binding capacities were studied by two-dimensional (2D-FL) and three-dimensional (3D-FL) fluorescence spectroscopy. HeLa and PC3 cell lines were treated with flavonoids at 10, 50 and 100 μg/mL concentrations over a 48 hour period. Stable anti-proliferative efficacy plots were obtained for tested flavonoids. From the flavonoids, HF3 and HF4 showed the strongest anti-proliferative effect against PC3 and HeLa cell line. HF1 and HF2 exhibited the strongest binding capacity to the HSA corresponding to Kb values of 3.81 x 104 M-1 and 6.00 x 104 M-1, respectively. The studies revealed that the flavonoids form the basis of in vivo preclinical studies as important nutraceuticals of the daily diet, as well as modelled in medical and pharmacological applications.
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For over 4000 years, liquorice has been one of the most frequently employed botanicals as a traditional herbal medicine. Although previous reports have found that liquorice flavonoids possess various health beneficial effects, the underlying mechanism responsible for the anti-diabetic effect of liquorice flavonoids remains unclear. The present study demonstrates that liquorice flavonoid oil (LFO) improves type 2 diabetes mellitus through GLUT4 translocation to the plasma membrane by activating both the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway and Akt pathway in muscle of KK-Ay mice. Furthermore, LFO lowered postprandial hyperglycaemia in a human study. These results indicate that LFO may exert a therapeutic effect on metabolic disorders, such as diabetes and hyperglycaemia, by modulating glucose metabolism through AMPK- and insulin-dependent pathways in skeletal muscle.
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Polyphenols have been suggested to reduce body weight and modify body composition through different mechanisms. These effects have been extensively studied in animals and in vitro and to a lesser extent in humans. The aim of this review is to consider the association between polyphenols and body weight status by focusing on human intervention studies. We conducted a systematic literature search in MEDLINE (via EBSCOhost), ProQuest CENTRAL, and Cochrane CENTRAL without time restrictions. Randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of polyphenols on weight and/or body composition in the overweight and/or obese population were included. Nineteen studies met our inclusion criteria. Results suggest that further research is required before supporting a potential role of polyphenols in reducing weight in overweight and obese individuals (nine studies showed a significant decrease in weight by a mean of 1.47 ± 0.58 kg). Nevertheless, several studies indicated that polyphenols might be effective in preventing small increases in weight during periods of overfeeding rather than reducing weight as such. The outcomes noted do not yet support polyphenol supplementation as a complementary approach in weight loss diets. Further larger trials with a duration of 12 months or more are needed to elucidate the effect of polyphenols on body weight status. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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The characteristics of 2 Glycyrrhiza plants, G. glabra and G. bucharica (-Meristotropis bucharica), were investigated in Tajikistan. The glycyrrhizin content in the underground parts of G. glabra varied from 2.56 to 9.29% of the dry weight, and the content of glabridin, a species-specific flavonoid of G. glabra, varied from 0.09 to 0.92% of the dry weight. Seeds of G. glabra plants from Tajikistan were cultivated for 3 years in Japan, and the glycyrrhizin content of the harvested roots ranged from 0.75 to 1.82% of the dry weight. In addition, HPLC analysis of leaf extracts indicated that the G. glabra plants collected in Tajikistan could be divided into various types, according to the flavonoid contents of the leaves. The endemic G. bucharica was also collected. A phylogenetic tree of rbcL nucleotide sequences from various Glycyrrhiza plants indicated that G. bucharica was closely related to the three glycyrrhizin-producing Glycyrrhiza spp. (G. uralensis, G. inflata, and G. glabra), even though G. bucharica does not produce glycyrrhizin.
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A 42-d trial with 400 unsexed broiler chicks (Cobb 500) was conducted to study the effects of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) extract and an antibiotic-lincomycin- on performance, fat accumulation and weights of selected internal organs, blood metabolites and immune criteria. The feeding program consisted of a starter diet until 21 d of age and a grower diet until 42 d of age. Chicks were randomly assigned to 5 treatments (4 replicate for each): basal diet (control); 5 ppm of lincomycin; 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 % licorice extract via drinking water. No differences in feed intake, body weight gain and feed conversion ratio were observed. Birds receiving licorice extract had lower weights of gallbladder and abdominal fat pads compared to those fed control diet (respectively significant for 0.1 and 0.3% licorice extract; P<0.05), however no effects were detected for breast, thigh, liver, pancreas, bursa, thymus, and spleen weight. Licorice extract consumption significantly reduced the serum levels of LDL and total cholesterol in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05), but no differences between treatments were observed regards to serum triglyceride and HDL concentrations. In 21 and 42 d of age, antibody responses to Newcastle and Influenza diseases vaccines as well as lymphocyte percentage and heterophil to lymphocyte ratio were unaffected by treatments. From these results it was concluded that licorice extract can reduce abdominal fat accumulation without any adverse effects on broilers performance or immune status.
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Background: The current study evaluated the effects of licorice flavonoid oil (LFO) on increasing the muscle mass of elderly populations using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Fifty participants aged 54-90 (male 7, female 43), who underwent rehabilitation treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee, were examined and assigned to either the LFO group (n = 26) or the placebo group (n = 24). The LFO group consumed 300 mg of LFO per day, while the placebo group consumed one placebo capsule per day for 16 weeks. We measured muscle mass, body fat percentage, and the score of the Japanese Knee Osteoarthritis Measure (JKOM) at baseline and every 4 weeks thereafter. Results: In the LFO group, muscle mass in the body trunk increased significantly after 16 weeks of LFO intake (+0.38 kg, P = 0.02). The trunk muscle mass weight of the LFO group increased significantly compared with that of the placebo group (p < 0.01). Further, the body fat percentage and body trunk fat percentage of the LFO group were significantly suppressed compared to that of the placebo group (P = 0.03, P < 0.01, respectively). Conclusions: This trial indicates that LFO supplementation has effects on increasing muscle mass and on suppressing the body fat percentage of elderly populations, especially in the body trunk. Trial registration: UMIN Clinical Trial Registry UMIN000016080.
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Abdominal obesity, or accumulation of visceral fat, is mainly associated with the onset of metabolic syndrome. Licorice flavonoid oil (LFO) consisting of licorice hydrophobic polyphenols in mediumchain triglycerides (MCT) is a new functional food ingredient effective in preventing metabolic syndrome. We have demonstrated significant effects of LFO on reduction of total body fat and visceral fat together with body weight in overweight Japanese subjects. Obesity is a more serious problem in Western countries such as Europe and the United States compared to Japan. We hypothesized that LFO could also work for abdominally obese people in Western countries. We therefore tested the effects of 300 mg LFO concentrate solution taken once daily with evening meals for up to 12 weeks in obese adult male and female subjects in the United States. Results showed that visceral fat, as measured by an abdominal CT scan, waist circumference measurements and waist-to-hip ratio significantly decreased in subjects in the LFO group compared to the placebo group at Week 12. The side-effect profile of LFO was indistinguishable from placebo. Moreover, no adverse trends or toxicologically meaningful differences in haematology and chemistry test results, vital signs or physical examinations were observed that were attributable to LFO. These results indicate that LFO is a safe food ingredient for preventing metabolic syndrome not only in Japan but also in Western countries such as Europe and the United States.
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We investigated the effect of consumption of a catechin-containing drink on body fat level and its safety in healthy adults. The beverage (250 ml/bottle) contained 215.3 mg of tea catechins mostly possessing a galloyl moiety, which included (-)-epigallocatechin gallate 74.6 mg, (-)-epicatechin gallate 34.1 mg, (-)-gallocatechin gallate 77.8 mg, (-)-catechin gallate 24.5 mg. We conducted a double-blind study with three parallel groups. Healthy subjects (98 men and 97 women) aged from 20 to 65 years old with 22.5 < body mass index (BMI) < 30 kg/m2 were assigned to consume 3 bottles of placebo drink (control group), 2 bottles of catechin-containing drink and 1 bottle of placebo drink (low-dose group), or 3 bottles of catechin-containing drink (high-dose group), per day at mealtimes for 12 week (daily consumption of catechins was 41.1, 444.3 or 665.9 mg respectively). Compared to the value at 0 week, consumption of two or three bottles of catechin-containing drink results in significant decrease in body weight and BMI at 8 and 12 or 4, 8 and 12 week, respectively. Body weight and BMI was significantly decreased in both catechin groups compared with the control group from 4 to 12 week. The measurements of abdominal fat areas indicated significant reduction of total fat area and visceral fat area in both catechin groups compared with the control group at 12 week. Thus our present observations suggest that consumption of a catechin-containing drink may be useful for the prevention of obesity-related disorders.
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Macrophage-mediated oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) is considered to be of major importance in early atherogenesis; therefore, intervention means to inhibit this process are being extensively studied. In the present study, we questioned the ability of the isoflavan glabridin (from licorice) to accumulate in macrophages and to affect cell-mediated oxidation of LDL. We first performed in vitro studies, using mouse peritoneal macrophages (MPMs) and the J-774 A.1 macrophage-like cell line. Both cells accumulated up to 1.5 micrograms of glabridin/mg of cell protein after 2 h of incubation, and this process was time- and glabridin dose-dependent. In parallel, in glabridin-enriched cells, macrophage-mediated oxidation of LDL was inhibited by up to 80% in comparison with control cells. Glabridin inhibited superoxide release from MPMs in response to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, or to LDL when added together with copper ions, by up to 60%. Translocation of P-47, a cytosolic component of NADPH oxidase to the plasma membrane was substantially inhibited. In glabridin-enriched macrophages, protein kinase C activity reduced by approximately 70%. All of the above effects of glabridin required the presence of the two hydroxyl groups on the flavonoid's B phenol ring. In order to assess the physiological significance of these results, we next performed in vivo studies, using the atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient (E0) mice. MPMs harvested from glabridin-treated E0 mice (20 micrograms/mouse/day for a period of 6 weeks) demonstrated reduced capability to oxidize LDL by 80% in comparison with placebo-treated mice. This latter phenomenon was associated with a reduction in the lesion oxysterols and a 50% reduction in the aortic lesion size. We thus conclude that glabridin accumulation in macrophages is associated with reduced cell-mediated oxidation of LDL and decreased activation of the NADPH oxidase system. These phenomena could be responsible for the attenuation of atherosclerosis in E0 mice, induced by glabridin.
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Because from earlier experiments in rats and a pilot study in humans a no effect level of glycyrrhizic acid could not be established, a second experiment was performed in healthy volunteers. The experiment was performed in females only, because the effects were most marked in females in the pilot study. Doses of 0, 1, 2 and 4 mg glycyrrhizic acid/kg body weight were administered orally for 8 weeks to 39 healthy female volunteers aged 19-40 years. The experimentlasted 12 weeks including an adaptation and a “wash-out” period.Ano-effectlevel of2 mg/kgis proposed from the results ofthis study, from which an acceptable daily intake (ADI) of 0.2 mg/kg body weight can be extrapolated with a safety factor of 10. This means consumption of 12 mg glycyrrhizic acid/day for a person with a body weight of 60 kg. This would be equal to 6 g licorice a day, assuming that licorice contains 0.2% of glycyrrhizic acid. The proposed ADI is below the limit advised by the Dutch Nutrition Council of 200 mg glycyrrhizic acid/day. This reflects the relatively mild acute toxicity of glycyrrhizic acid, which is also emphasised by the “generally recognised as safe” (GRAS) status of glycyrrhizic acid in the USA in 1983. However, the long-term effects of a mild chronic intoxication (causing, for example, a mild hypertension), although not immediately lethal, justify special attention to the amount of glycyrrhizic acid used daily.
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We examined the weight-losing effect of orlistat treatment on insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular risk factors in a group of severely obese young Chinese patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus. Obese patients with diabetes (n = 33) and obese nondiabetic patients (n = 27) were given orlistat, 120 mg 3 times daily, without a concomitant hypocaloric diet for 6 months (body mass index [calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meter; kg/m2] range, 27.8-47.4). The efficacy measures were (1) insulin sensitivity indices derived from the homeostasis model assessment and a composite measure of whole-body insulin sensitivity index; (2) glycemic control; (3) cardiovascular risk factors, including anthropometry, blood pressure, lipid profiles, and albuminuria; and (4) body composition determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. At baseline, patients with diabetes had lower body mass index and percentage of body fat but higher waist-hip ratios and were more insulin resistant. Orlistat therapy reduced body weight, waist and hip circumferences, percentage of total body fat, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose and lipid levels, albuminuria, and insulin sensitivity indices in both groups (all, P<.05). Despite less weight reduction, we found a greater percentage of reduction from baseline in glycosylated hemoglobin level (-11.6% vs -3.6%; P<.001), fasting plasma glucose level (-18.2% vs -5.0%; P<.001), and systolic blood pressure (-7.1% vs -3.1%; P =.02) in patients with diabetes. Obese subjects without diabetes had greater improvements in triglyceride levels, albuminuria, and the homeostasis model assessment (all, P<.01). Short-term orlistat treatment without the use of a hypocaloric diet significantly improved insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular risk profiles in severely obese Chinese patients with or without type 2 diabetes.
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To examine the effects of two different conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers at two different intakes on body composition in overweight humans. Eighty-one middle-aged, overweight, healthy men and women participated in this bicentric, placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized study. For 6 weeks (run-in period), all subjects consumed daily a drinkable dairy product containing 3 g of high oleic acid sunflower oil. Volunteers were then randomized over five groups receiving daily either 3 g of high oleic acid sunflower oil, 1.5 g of cis-9,trans-11 (c9t11) CLA, 3 g of c9t11 CLA, 1.5 g of trans-10,cis-12 (t10c12) CLA, or 3 g of t10c12 CLA administrated as triacylglycerol in a drinkable dairy product for 18 weeks. Percentage body fat mass and fat and lean body mass were assessed at the end of the run-in and experimental periods by DXA. Dietary intake was also recorded. Body fat mass changes averaged 0.1 +/- 0.9 kg (mean +/- SD) in the placebo group and -0.3 +/- 1.4, -0.8 +/- 2.1, 0.0 +/- 2.3, and -0.9 +/- 1.7 kg in the 1.5-g c9t11, 3-g c9t11, 1.5-g t10c12, and 3-g t10c12 groups, respectively. Changes among the groups were not significantly different (p = 0.444). Also, lean body mass and dietary intake were not significantly different among the treatments. A daily consumption of a drinkable dairy product containing up to 3 g of CLA isomers for 18 weeks had no statistically significant effect on body composition in overweight, middle-aged men and women.
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To evaluate the effect of a dietary supplement containing herbal caffeine (70 mg/dose) and ephedra (24 mg/dose; C&E) on metabolic rate, weight loss, body composition, and safety parameters. In phase I, 12 healthy subjects with a BMI of 25 to 35 kg/m2 had resting metabolic rate (RMR) measured for 2 hours after ingesting C&E or a placebo on two occasions 1 week apart, followed by a 1-week washout before phase II. In phase II, these 12 and 28 additional subjects were randomized to a 12-week, double-blind trial comparing C&E (3 times/day) to placebo. In phase III, the C&E group was given open-label C&E for 3 months, and the placebo group was given C&E for 6 months. In phase I, C&E gave an average 8 +/- 0.1% (SE) rise in RMR over 2 hours compared with placebo (p < 0.01). In phase II, weight loss at 12 weeks was 3.5 +/- 0.6 kg with C&E compared with 0.8 +/- 0.5 kg with placebo (p < 0.02). The percentage fat lost, shown by DXA, was 7.9 +/- 2.9% with C&E and 1.9 +/- 1.1% with placebo (p < 0.05). Pulse decreased more in the placebo group that in the C&E group (p < 0.03). There were no differences in lipid levels or blood pressure. In phase III, there was a 6-month loss of 7.3% and 7.8% of initial body weight for the groups on placebo and C&E during phase II, respectively. There were no serious adverse events. C&E increased RMR significantly by 8% compared with placebo, promoted more weight and fat loss than placebo, and was well tolerated.
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In response to the increase in obesity, pharmacologic treatments for weight loss have become more numerous and more commonly used. To assess the efficacy and safety of weight loss medications approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other medications that have been used for weight loss. Electronic databases, experts in the field, and unpublished information. Up-to-date meta-analyses of sibutramine, phentermine, and diethylpropion were identified. The authors assessed in detail 50 studies of orlistat, 13 studies of fluoxetine, 5 studies of bupropion, 9 studies of topiramate, and 1 study each of sertraline and zonisamide. Meta-analysis was performed for all medications except sertraline, zonisamide, and fluoxetine, which are summarized narratively. The authors abstracted information about study design, intervention, co-interventions, population, outcomes, and methodologic quality, as well as weight loss and adverse events from controlled trials of medication. All pooled weight loss values are reported relative to placebo. A meta-analysis of sibutramine reported a mean difference in weight loss of 4.45 kg (95% CI, 3.62 to 5.29 kg) at 12 months. In the meta-analysis of orlistat, the estimate of the mean weight loss for orlistat-treated patients was 2.89 kg (CI, 2.27 to 3.51 kg) at 12 months. A recent meta-analysis of phentermine and diethylpropion reported pooled mean differences in weight loss at 6 months of 3.6 kg (CI, 0.6 to 6.0 kg) for phentermine-treated patients and 3.0 kg (CI, -1.6 to 11.5 kg) for diethylpropion-treated patients. Weight loss in fluoxetine studies ranged from 14.5 kg of weight lost to 0.4 kg of weight gained at 12 or more months. For bupropion, 2.77 kg (CI, 1.1 to 4.5 kg) of weight was lost at 6 to 12 months. Weight loss due to topiramate at 6 months was 6.5% (CI, 4.8% to 8.3%) of pretreatment weight. With one exception, long-term studies of health outcomes were lacking. Significant side effects that varied by drug were reported. Publication bias may exist despite a comprehensive search and despite the lack of statistical evidence for the existence of bias. Evidence of heterogeneity was observed for all meta-analyses. Sibutramine, orlistat, phentermine, probably diethylpropion, bupropion, probably fluoxetine, and topiramate promote modest weight loss when given along with recommendations for diet. Sibutramine and orlistat are the 2 most-studied drugs.
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To describe seasonal variation in food intake, physical activity, and body weight in a predominantly overweight population. A longitudinal observational study. Most of the study participants were recruited from a health maintenance organization (HMO) in central Massachusetts, USA. Additional individuals of Hispanic descent were recruited from outside of the HMO population to increase the ethnic diversity of this sample. Data from 593 participants, aged 20-70, were used for this investigation. Each participant was followed quarterly (five sampling points: baseline and four consecutive quarters) for 1-year period. Body weight measurements and three 24-h dietary and physical activity recalls were obtained on randomly selected days (including 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day) per quarter. Sinusoidal regression models were used to estimate peak-to-trough amplitude and phase of the peaks. Daily caloric intake was higher by 86 kcal/day during the fall compared to the spring. Percentage of calories from carbohydrate, fat and saturated fat showed slight seasonal variation, with a peak in the spring for carbohydrate and in the fall for total fat and saturated fat intake. The lowest physical activity level was observed in the winter and the highest in the spring. Body weight varied by about 1/2 kg throughout the year, with a peak in the winter (P<0.001 winter versus summer). Greater seasonal variation was observed in subjects who were male, middle aged, nonwhite, and less educated. Although there is seasonal variation in diet, physical activity and body weight, the magnitude of the change is generally small in this population. US National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
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The constellation of metabolic abnormalities including centrally distributed obesity, decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), elevated triglycerides, elevated blood pressure (BP), and hyperglycaemia is known as the metabolic syndrome. Associated with a 3 fold and 2 fold increase in type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD), respectively, it is thought to be a driver of the modern day epidemics of diabetes and CVD and has become a major public health challenge around the world. Since its initial description, several definitions of the syndrome have emerged. Each of these definitions used differing sets of criteria, which reflected contrasting views on pathogenic mechanisms and the need for clinical usefulness. The use of these definitions to conduct research into the metabolic syndrome in diverse populations resulted in wide ranging prevalence rates, inconsistencies and confusion, and spurred on the vigorous debate regarding how the metabolic syndrome should be defined. In response to this controversy, the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) has recently proposed a new definition, which is applicable to populations around the world. It is envisaged that the development of the new definition for the metabolic syndrome will help resolve the confusion caused by the number of earlier attempts to define this important entity.
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Context The Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (ATP III) highlights the importance of treating patients with the metabolic syndrome to prevent cardiovascular disease. Limited information is available about the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the United States, however.Objective To estimate the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the United States as defined by the ATP III report.Design, Setting, and Participants Analysis of data on 8814 men and women aged 20 years or older from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994), a cross-sectional health survey of a nationally representative sample of the noninstitutionalized civilian US population.Main Outcome Measures Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome as defined by ATP III (≥3 of the following abnormalities): waist circumference greater than 102 cm in men and 88 cm in women; serum triglycerides level of at least 150 mg/dL (1.69 mmol/L); high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level of less than 40 mg/dL (1.04 mmol/L) in men and 50 mg/dL (1.29 mmol/L) in women; blood pressure of at least 130/85 mm Hg; or serum glucose level of at least 110 mg/dL (6.1 mmol/L).Results The unadjusted and age-adjusted prevalences of the metabolic syndrome were 21.8% and 23.7%, respectively. The prevalence increased from 6.7% among participants aged 20 through 29 years to 43.5% and 42.0% for participants aged 60 through 69 years and aged at least 70 years, respectively. Mexican Americans had the highest age-adjusted prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (31.9%). The age-adjusted prevalence was similar for men (24.0%) and women (23.4%). However, among African Americans, women had about a 57% higher prevalence than men did and among Mexican Americans, women had about a 26% higher prevalence than men did. Using 2000 census data, about 47 million US residents have the metabolic syndrome.Conclusions These results from a representative sample of US adults show that the metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent. The large numbers of US residents with the metabolic syndrome may have important implications for the health care sector.
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Obesity is a metabolic disorder due to less energy expenditure than its uptake and is a strong risk factor for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), hypertension and atherosclerosis. The present study examines the effects of long-term feeding of tea catechins on body weight, fat accumulation, and mRNA of genes involved in β-oxidation in obesity-prone C57BL/6J mice. Four months high fat diet (30% TG+13% sucrose) administration significantly increased body weight, epididymal fat accumulation and circulating leptin compared to the control diet mice (5% TG). High fat feeding-induced body weight gain and epididymal fat weight were reduced by 81% and 63%, respectively, in mice fed the catechin diet (30% TG+13% sucrose+0.5% tea catechins). Circulating leptin was reduced by 68%. Compared with the high fat diet group, catechin-feeding up-regulated medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase mRNA expression in the liver, suggesting tea catechins to possibly stimulate lipid metabolism in the liver. Long-term feeding of tea catechins is thus shown beneficial for suppressing high fat diet-induced body fat accumulation. The stimulation of lipid metabolism in the liver may possibly be a factor for the anti-obesity effects of tea catechins in mice.
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Isoflavan derivatives, glabridin (1), hispaglabridin A (2), hispaglabridin B (3), 4′-O-methylglabridin (4) and 3′-hydroxy-4′-O-methylglabridin (5), isolated from Glycyrrhiza glabra, were investigated for their ability to protect liver mitochondria against oxidative stresses. Mitochondrial lipid peroxidation linked to respiratory electron transport and that induced non-enzymatically were inhibited by these isoflavans. Hispaglabridin A (2) strongly inhibited both peroxidations and 3′-hydroxy-4′-O-methylglabridin (5) was the most effective at preventing NADH-dependent peroxidation. 3′-Hydroxy-4′-O-methylglabridin (5) protected mitochondrial respiratory enzyme activities against NADPH-dependent peroxidation injury. Dihydroxyfumarate-induced mitochondrial peroxidation was also prevented by this isoflavan. Isoflavans from G. glabra were shown to be effective in protecting mitochondrial function against oxidative stresses.
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Seasonal plasma lipid and lipoprotein cycles were studied in 1446 hypercholesterolemic 35-59 year-old men followed for 7 years as the placebo group of the Lipid Research Clinics (LRC) Coronary Primary Prevention Trial (CPPT). Separate periodic time series were calculated for each study participant; mean parameter estimates were obtained by vector algebra. Highly significant (p less than 0.001) synchronous sinusoidal seasonal cycles, peaking in the first month of winter, were demonstrated for plasma levels of total (TOT-C), low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) cholesterol. Their mean seasonal changes (nadir to zenith) were 7.4, 6.4, and 0.8 mg/dl, respectively. An irregular but statistically significant seasonal pattern was also observed for plasma triglyceride (TG) levels, with peak levels in the autumn. The variation of these seasonal effects among subgroups and geographic locales and their correlation with seasonal weight and dietary patterns yielded few clues as to their underlying etiologic mechanisms.
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Literature on case reports, clinical studies and biochemical mechanisms of the sweet-tasting compound glycyrrhizic acid in liquorice was critically reviewed to provide a safety assessment of its presence in liquorice sweets. A high intake of liquorice can cause hypermineralocorticoidism with sodium retention and potassium loss, oedema, increased blood pressure and depression of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. As a consequence, a number of other clinical symptoms have also been observed. Glycyrrhizic acid is hydrolysed in the intestine to the pharmacologically active compound glycyrrhetic acid, which inhibits the enzyme 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (in the direction of cortisol to cortisone) as well as some other enzymes involved in the metabolism of corticosteroids. Inhibition of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase leads to increased cortisol levels in the kidneys and in other mineralocorticoid-selective tissues. Since cortisol, which occurs in much larger amounts than aldosterone, binds with the same affinity as aldosterone to the mineralocorticoid receptor, the result is a hypermineralocorticoid effect of cortisol. The inhibitory effect on 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase is reversible; however, the compensatory physiological mechanisms following hypermineralocorticoidism (e.g. depression of the renin-angiotensin system) may last several months. It is not possible, on the basis of existing data, to determine precisely the minimum level of glycyrrhizic acid required to produce the described symptoms. There is apparently a great individual variation in the susceptibility to glycyrrhizic acid. In the most sensitive individuals a regular daily intake of no more than about 100 mg glycyrrhizic acid, which corresponds to 50 g liquorice sweets (assuming a content of 0.2% glycyrrhizic acid), seems to be enough to produce adverse effects. Most individuals who consume 400 mg glycyrrhizic acid daily experience adverse effects. Considering that a regular intake of 100 mg glycyrrhizic acid/day is the lowest-observed-adverse-effect level and using a safety factor of 10, a daily intake of 10 mg glycyrrhizic acid would represent a safe dose for most healthy adults. A daily intake of 1-10 mg glycyrrhizic acid/person has been estimated for several countries. However, an uneven consumption pattern suggests that a considerable number of individuals who consume large amounts of liquorice sweets are exposed to the risk of developing adverse effects.
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The present study analyzed the antioxidative properties of natural compounds from the root of the plant Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) toward LDL oxidation. Seven constituents, with antioxidant capacity were isolated from Glycyrrhiza glabra. The isolated compounds were identified as the isoflavans Hispaglabridin A (1), Hispaglabridin B (4), Glabridin (3), and 4'-O-Methylglabridin (2), the two chalcones, isoprenylchalcone derivative (5) and Isoliquiritigenin (6), and the isoflavone, Formononetin (7). Among these compounds, Glabridin constituted the major amount in the crude extract (11.6%, w/w) as detected by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. The antioxidative capacities of the isolated compounds (1-7) were tested against beta-carotene destruction and LDL oxidation. The isoflavans (1-4) at a concentration of 50 microM inhibited beta-carotene consumption, following 90 min of incubation at 50 degrees C, similar to the inhibitory effect of the whole licorice crude extract (at 16 mg/1). The chalcones (5 and 6) exhibited moderate inhibition and the isoflavone 7 was almost inactive, whereas vitamin E (50 microM) completely inhibited beta-carotene consumption. The inhibitory effect of the constituents 1-7, at a concentration of 30 microM on 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced LDL oxidation was determined by measuring the amount of the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and the amount of lipid peroxides. While compounds 1-6 exhibited high inhibitory activity, compound 7 and vitamin E were not active. A dose-dependent inhibitory effect of Glabridin, on the formation of cholesteryl linoleate hydroperoxide (CLOOH), in an AAPH-induced LDL oxidation system was also shown. Glabridin, at 5 or 40-60 microM concentration, inhibited the CLOOH formation by 62% and 90%, respectively. These results suggest that constituents 1-6 are very potent antioxidants toward LDL oxidation with Glabridin being the most abundant and potent antioxidant. As LDL oxidation is a key event in the formation of the early atherosclerotic lesion, the use of these natural antioxidants may be proven beneficial to attenuate atherosclerosis.
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Polyphenolic flavonoids are powerful antioxidants. In the present study we investigated the antioxidative activity against low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation of a not yet studied subclass of polyphenols, the isoflavans, which are present in licorice alcoholic extract. The study was performed in humans as well as in atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice (E zero), because their LDL is highly susceptible to oxidation. LDL oxidation was induced by incubating it with copper ions as well as with the aqueous or lipid-soluble free radical generators 2,2'-azobis'2-amidino propane hydrochloride (AAPH) and 2,2'-azobis 2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile (AMVN), respectively. The extent of LDL oxidation was determined by measuring the formation of conjugated dienes, thiobarbituric acid reactive-substances (TBARS), and lipid peroxides. By all methods in human studies, licorice ethanolic extract as well as a pure material, which was identified by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy as the isoflavan glabridin, were shown to inhibit LDL oxidation by a mechanism involving scavenging of free radicals. In an ex vivo study, LDL isolated from the plasma of 10 normolipidemic subjects who were orally supplemented for 2 wk with 100 mg licorice/d was more resistant to oxidation than was LDL isolated before licorice supplementation. Dietary supplementation of each E zero mouse with licorice (200 micrograms/d) or pure glabridin (20 micrograms/d) for 6 wk resulted in a substantial reduction in the susceptibility of their LDL to oxidation along with a reduction in the atherosclerotic lesion area. These results could be related to the absorption and binding of glabridin to the LDL particle and subsequent protection of the LDL from oxidation by multiple modes as shown in humans and in E zero mice.
Article
The effect of the consumption of glabridin, an isoflavan isolated from Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root, on the susceptibility of low density lipoprotein (LDL) to oxidation was studied in atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E deficient (E[o] mice) and was compared with that of the known flavonoids, quercetin and catechin. Glabridin inhibitory activity on in vitro oxidation of human LDL was also investigated by determining the formation of lipid peroxides and oxysterols and the consumption of LDL-associated lipophilic antioxidants. Determination of the extent of LDL oxidation by measuring the formation of thiobabituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) after 2 h of LDL incubation with CuSO4 (10 microM) or 2,2'-azobis (2-amidino-propane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) (5 mM), revealed that glabridin or quercetin consumption resulted in a 53 and 54% reduction in copper ion induced oxidation, respectively, and a 95 and 83% reduction in AAPH induced LDL oxidation, respectively. No inhibition was obtained with consumption of catechin. About 80% of glabridin was found to bind to the LDL human particle. In the in vitro oxidation of LDL induced by AAPH (5 mM), glabridin inhibited the formation of TBARS, lipid peroxides and cholesteryl linoleate hydroperoxide (CLOOH) at all the concentrations tested (5-60 microM), while in oxidation induced by copper ions (10 microM), glabridin exhibited a pro-oxidant activity at concentrations lower than 20 microM, and a clear antioxidant activity at concentrations greater than 20 microM. Glabridin (30 microM) inhibited the formation of cholest-5-ene-3,7-diol (7-hydroxycholesterol), cholest-5-ene-3-ol-7-one (7-ketocholesterol) and cholestan-5,6-epoxy-3-ol (5,6-epoxycholesterol) after 6 h of AAPH induced LDL oxidation, by 55, 80 and 40%, respectively, and after 6 h of copper ion induced LDL oxidation, by 73, 94 and 52%, respectively. Glabridin also inhibited the consumption of beta-carotene and lycopene by 38 and 52%, respectively, after 0.5 h of LDL oxidation with AAPH, but failed to protect vitamin E. The in vivo and in vitro reduction of the susceptibility of LDL to oxidation obtained with glabridin, may be related to the absorption or binding of glabridin to the LDL particle and subsequent protection of LDL from oxidation by inhibiting the formation of lipid peroxides and oxysterols, and by protecting LDL associated carotenoids.
Article
The inhibitory effects of glabridin, an isoflavan isolated from licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) root, and its derivatives on the oxidation of LDL induced by copper ions or mediated by macrophages were studied, in order to evaluate the contribution of the different parts of the isoflavan molecule to its antioxidant activity. The peak potential (E1/2) of the isoflavan derivatives, their radical scavenging capacity toward 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) radical and their ability to chelate heavy metals were also analyzed and compared to their inhibitory activity on LDL oxidation. In copper ion-induced LDL oxidation, glabridin (1), 4'-O-methylglabridin (2), hispaglabridin A (3), and hispaglabridin B (4), which have two hydroxyl groups at positions 2' and 4' or one hydroxyl at position 2' on ring B, successfully inhibited the formation of conjugated dienes, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and lipid peroxides, and inhibited the electrophoretic mobility of LDL under oxidation. Compounds 1-3 exhibited similar activities, whereas compound 4 was less active. In macrophage-mediated LDL oxidation, the TBARS formation was also inhibited by these isoflavans (1-4) at a similar order of activity to that obtained in copper ion-induced LDL oxidation. On the other hand, 2'-O-methylglabridin (5), a synthesized compound, whose hydroxyl at 2'-position is protected and the hydroxyl at 4'-position is free, showed only minor inhibitory activity in both LDL oxidation systems. 2',4'-O-Dimethylglabridin (6), whose hydroxyls at 2'- and 4'-positions are both protected, was inactive. Resorcinol (7), which is identical to the phenolic B ring in glabridin, presented low activity in these oxidation systems. The isoflavene glabrene (8), which contains an additional double bond in the heterocyclic C ring, was the most active compound of the flavonoid derivatives tested in both oxidation systems. The peak potential of compounds 1-5 (300 microM), tested at pH 7.4, was similar (425-530 mV), and that for compound 6 and 8 was 1078 and 80 mV, respectively. Within 30 min of incubation, compounds 1, 2, 3, 4, 8 scavenged 31%, 16%, 74%, 51%, 86%, respectively, of DPPH radical, whereas compounds 5 and 6, which almost did not inhibit LDL oxidation, also failed to scavenge DPPH. None of the isoflavan derivatives nor the isoflavene compound were able to chelate iron, or copper ions. These results suggest that the antioxidant effect of glabridin on LDL oxidation appears to reside mainly in the 2' hydroxyl, and that the hydrophobic moiety of the isoflavan is essential to obtain this effect. It was also shown that the position of the hydroxyl group at B ring significantly affected the inhibitory efficiency of the isoflavan derivatives on LDL oxidation, but did not influence their ability to donate an electron to DPPH or their peak potential values.
Article
Glabridin is the main ingredient in hydrophobia fraction of licorice extract affecting on skins. In this study, we investigated inhibitory effects of glabridin on melanogenesis and inflammation using cultured B16 murine melanoma cells and guinea pig skins. The results indicated that glabridin inhibits tyrosinase activity of these cells at concentrations of 0.1 to 1.0 μg/ml and had no detectable effect on their DNA synthesis. Combined analysis of SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and DOPA staining on the large granule fraction of these cells disclosed that glabridin decreased specifically the activities of Tl and T3 tyrosinase isozymes. It was also shown that UVB-induced pigmentation and erythema in the skins of guinea pigs were inhibited by topical applications of 0.5% glabridin. Anti-inflammatory effects of glabridin in vitro were also shown by its inhibition of superoxide anion productions and cyclooxygenase activities. These data indicated that glabridin is a unique compound possessing more than one function; not only the inhibition of melanogenesis but also the inhibition of inflammation in the skins. By replacing each of hydroxyl groups of glabridin with others, it was revealed that the inhibitory effect of 2′-O-ethyl glabridin was significantly stronger than that of 4′-O-ethyl-glabridin on melanin synthesis in cultured B16 cells at the concentration of 1.0 mg/inl. With replacement of both of two hydroxyl groups, the inhibitory effect was totally lost. Based on these data, we concluded that two hydroxyl groups of glabridin are important for the inhibition of melanin synthesis and that the hydroxyl group at the 4’ position of this compound is more closely related to melanin synthesis.
Article
Licorice, the root of Glycyrrhiza spp. (Fabaceae), has been used since ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman times in the West and since the Former Han era (the 2nd-3rd century B.C.) in ancient China in the East. In traditional Chinese medicine, licorice is one of the most frequently used drugs. In Japan, the oldest specimen of licorice introduced from China in the middle of the 8th century still exists in Shosoin, the Imperial Storehouse, in Nara. Extracts of licorice were recommended as a remedy for gastric ulcer by Revers of the Netherlands in 1946, which was soon withdrawn owing to its side effects. Carbenoxolon sodium, glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) hemisuccinate Na, was prepared from licorice to treat peptic ulcer in the UK. In Japan for the past 60 years, a glycyrrhizin (GL) preparation under the name of Stronger Neo-Minophagen C (SNMC) has been used clinically as an antiallergic and antihepatitis agent. GL and GA sometimes induce edema, hypertension, and hypokalemia in patients treated with higher doses and long-term administration. The mechanism of this side effect, pseudoaldosteronism, has been explained as due to the 11-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase inhibitory activity of GL and GA. The excess of endogenous cortisol produced combines with the renal mineral corticoid receptor, which promotes an aldosterone-like action. GL and GA reduce alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) values in the serum. This hepatoprotective effect has recently been explained as the inhibitory effects of GL and GA on immune-mediated cytotoxicity against hepatocytes and on nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B, which activates genes encoding inflammatory cytokines in the liver. To exclude the side effects and enhance the therapeutic activities, chemical modification of GL and GA has been performed. Deoxoglycyrrhetol (DG), homo- and heteroannular diene homologs of dihemiphthalates, showed a remarkable improvement in antiinflammatory, antiallergic, and antiulcer activities in animal experiments. Immunomodulating effects of GL, GA, and DG derivatives, which induce interferon-gamma and some other cytokines, have been demonstrated in relation with their antiviral activities. Antiinflammatory, antitumorigenic, and antimalarial effects of licorice flavonoids have also been investigated.
Article
Skinfold thickness (SFT) and bioelectrical impedance (BIA) are readily available and commonly used techniques in patient monitoring for body composition analysis (BCA) in clinical practise. Another one, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) method became popular in body composition analysis (BCA) in recent years. Its results have been reported to be quite accurate and precise, in comparison with in vivo or in vitro multiple component reference methods. The aim of the present study was to assess the degree of agreement between SFT and DEXA, and BIA and DEXA methods, in obese and nonobese patients. Body fat mass (FM) was measured in 16 nonobese (mean body mass index; BMI = 22.2 +/- 2.2 kg/m(2)) and in 21 obese (BMI = 34.5 +/- 6.1 kg/m(2)) women with DEXA, SFT, and BIA in the same morning. Mean (+/- SD) FM (kg) was 16.3 +/- 5.5, 15.0 +/- 5.1, 14.7 +/- 4.9 in nonobese subjects and 38.8 +/- 10.1, 36.3 +/- 10.0, 37.1 +/- 12.0 in obese patients, by DEXA, SFT and BIA, respectively. Comparison of the DEXA-BIA and DEXA-STF methods showed high correlation in regression line analysis in nonobese subjects as, r(2) = 0.93 and 0.89, respectively. Regression coefficients were 0.84 and 0.75 in obese patients. However, reanalysis of the data by the Bland and Altman method revealed an obvious lack of agreement between the DEXA-BIA and DEXA-SFT methods in obese patients. In addition, FM was underestimated by BIA and SFT as compared to DEXA in both of the study groups. Besides, better precision was obtained by DEXA method among the others. The SFT or BIA method would be preferred to monitor BCA in non-obese subjects in clinical routine. However, DEXA should be considered as the method of choice in obese patient monitoring, since reproducibility gains special importance, other than the accuracy in the context.
Article
The Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (ATP III) highlights the importance of treating patients with the metabolic syndrome to prevent cardiovascular disease. Limited information is available about the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the United States, however. To estimate the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the United States as defined by the ATP III report. Analysis of data on 8814 men and women aged 20 years or older from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988-1994), a cross-sectional health survey of a nationally representative sample of the noninstitutionalized civilian US population. Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome as defined by ATP III (>/=3 of the following abnormalities): waist circumference greater than 102 cm in men and 88 cm in women; serum triglycerides level of at least 150 mg/dL (1.69 mmol/L); high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level of less than 40 mg/dL (1.04 mmol/L) in men and 50 mg/dL (1.29 mmol/L) in women; blood pressure of at least 130/85 mm Hg; or serum glucose level of at least 110 mg/dL (6.1 mmol/L). The unadjusted and age-adjusted prevalences of the metabolic syndrome were 21.8% and 23.7%, respectively. The prevalence increased from 6.7% among participants aged 20 through 29 years to 43.5% and 42.0% for participants aged 60 through 69 years and aged at least 70 years, respectively. Mexican Americans had the highest age-adjusted prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (31.9%). The age-adjusted prevalence was similar for men (24.0%) and women (23.4%). However, among African Americans, women had about a 57% higher prevalence than men did and among Mexican Americans, women had about a 26% higher prevalence than men did. Using 2000 census data, about 47 million US residents have the metabolic syndrome. These results from a representative sample of US adults show that the metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent. The large numbers of US residents with the metabolic syndrome may have important implications for the health care sector.
Article
We previously demonstrated the beneficial effects of dietary flavonoids derived from the ethanolic extract of licorice root against atherosclerotic lesion development in association with inhibition of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation in atherosclerotic mice. Administration of licorice extract to normolipidemic subjects also inhibited LDL oxidation. In the present study, we extended our investigation to analyze the antiatherogenic effects of licorice-root extract consumption in moderately hypercholesterolemic patients. Supplementation of licorice root extract (0.1 g/d) to patients for 1 mo was followed by an additional 1 mo of placebo consumption. Licorice consumption 1) reduced patients' plasma susceptibility to oxidation (by 19%); 2) increased resistance of plasma LDL against three major atherogenic modifications: oxidation (by 55%), aggregation (by 28%), and retention, estimated as chondroitin sulfate binding ability (by 25%); 3) reduced plasma cholesterol levels (by 5%), which was due to a 9% reduction in plasma LDL cholesterol levels; and 4) reduced (by 14%) plasma triacylglycerol levels. After the 1 mo of placebo consumption, these parameters reversed toward baseline levels. Licorice extract supplementation also reduced systolic blood pressure by 10%, which was sustained during the placebo consumption. Dietary consumption of licorice-root extract by hypercholesterolemic patients may act as a moderate hypocholesterolemic nutrient and a potent antioxidant agent and, hence against cardiovascular disease.
Article
Licorice is the most used crude drug in Kampo medicines (traditional Chinese medicines modified in Japan). The extract of the medicinal plant is also used as the basis of anti-ulcer medicines for treatment of peptic ulcer. Among the chemical constituents of the plant, glabridin and glabrene (components of Glycyrrhiza glabra), licochalcone A (G. inflata), licoricidin and licoisoflavone B (G. uralensis) exhibited inhibitory activity against the growth of Helicobacter pylori in vitro. These flavonoids also showed anti-H. pylori activity against a clarithromycin (CLAR) and amoxicillin (AMOX)-resistant strain. We also investigated the methanol extract of G. uralensis. From the extract, three new isoflavonoids (3-arylcoumarin, pterocarpan, and isoflavan) with a pyran ring, gancaonols A[bond]C, were isolated together with 15 known flavonoids. Among these compounds, vestitol, licoricone, 1-methoxyphaseollidin and gancaonol C exhibited anti-H. pylori activity against the CLAR and AMOX-resistant strain as well as four CLAR (AMOX)-sensitive strains. Glycyrin, formononetin, isolicoflavonol, glyasperin D, 6,8-diprenylorobol, gancaonin I, dihydrolicoisoflavone A, and gancaonol B possessed weaker anti-H. pylori activity. These compounds may be useful chemopreventive agents for peptic ulcer or gastric cancer in H. pylori-infected individuals.
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Ovarian steroid hormones, estrogen and progestin, affect the function of the serotonin neural system by inhibiting serotonin re-uptake through allosteric interaction with the serotonin transporter (SERT) in a nongenomic mechanism. Blocking or reducing serotonin re-uptake at the synapse alleviates depression. The aim of this study was to test the effect of compounds of the isoflavan and isoflavene groups, subclasses of the flavonoids family, on serotonin re-uptake and to compare the results with the effect of other known phytoestrogens like genistein and daidzein to relate the activity of these compounds to their structure. The effect of these compounds on the re-uptake of radioactive serotonin was assayed in HEK-293 cells stably expressed the recombinant human serotonin transporter (hSERT). The results demonstrated that the isoflavans glabridin and 4'-O-methylglabridin (4'-OMeG) and the isoflavene glabrene inhibited serotonin re-uptake by 60, 53 and 47%, respectively, at 50 microM, whereas resorcinol, the isoflavan 2'-O-methylglabridin (2'-OMeG), and the isoflavones genistein and daidzein were inactive. The inhibition of serotonin re-uptake is dose dependant with glabridin and estradiol. These results emphasize the importance of the lipophilic part of the isoflavans, as well as the hydroxyl at position 2' on ring B. In conclusion, this study showed that several isoflavans are unique phytoestrogens, which like estradiol, affects the serotonergic system and inhibits serotonin re-uptake and, thus, potentially may be beneficial for mild to moderate depression in pre- and postmenopausal women.
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Some Glycyrrhiza species grown in several domestic research gardens of medicinal plants were collected by the Osaka University of Pharmaceutical Sciences and were cultivated to compare their morphological properties. HPLC profile analysis was performed and index compounds of MeOH extracts of aerial parts and EtOAc extracts of subterranean parts were determined. Glycyrrhizin contents and growth rates of the underground parts of some types of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and Glycyrrhiza glabra were compared and four excellent types were selected as candidates for cultivation. One of them was due to Kanzo-Yashiki (Enzan, Yamanashi prefecture), where G. uralensis was cultivated in the Edo period. Alkaloidal constituents of G. uralensis and G. glabra were also investigated and anabasine (an insecticide) and a new tricyclic alkaloid were obtained.
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