Effects of escin mixture from the seeds of Aesculus hippocastanum on obesity in mice fed a high fat diet

Avci G., KÜÇÜKKURT İ., AKKOL E., YEŞİLADA E.

PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY, vol.48, no.3, pp.247-252, 2010 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 48 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2010
  • Doi Number: 10.3109/13880200903085466
  • Journal Name: PHARMACEUTICAL BIOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.247-252
  • Keywords: Aesculus hippocastanum, biochemical parameters, escin, hippocastanaceae, horse chestnut, insulin, leptin, thyroid hormones, HORSE CHESTNUT, HYPOGLYCEMIC ACTIVITY, ETHANOL ABSORPTION, PLATYCODI RADIX, GENE-EXPRESSION, TURBINATA BLUME, PLASMA LEPTIN, SAPONINS, IIIA, IIB
  • Gazi University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Escins, a triterpene glycoside mixture obtained from the ethanol extract of Aesculus hippocastanum L. (Hippocastanaceae) seed, was evaluated for its in vivo effects on the plasma levels of some hormones (leptin, insulin, FT3, FT4) and biochemical parameters (glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C concentrations) in mice fed with a high fat diet for 5 weeks. A high fat diet induced a remarkable increment in the plasma leptin (p < 0.01), total cholesterol (p < 0.01) and LDL-C (p < 0.001) concentrations compared to control group animals. Combined administration of a high-fat diet with escins decreased leptin (31.6%) (p<0.05) and FT4 (36.0%) (p<0.05) levels, increased HDL-C concentration (17.0%), while remained ineffective on LDL-C concentration in mice. Results have shown that escins may have beneficial effects in the understanding of obesity.