Weight Loss and Anti-Obesity Effects of Natural Saponins Extracted from Herbs and Foods (Journal of Personalized and Systems Medicine)

Obesity is a serious health problem globally. However, only a few medications are available on the market, and their long-term safety is still unknown. Pancreatic lipase activity is related to the source of excess calories. Natural dietary supplements such as herbal extracts that can serve as pancreatic lipase inhibitors have been considered promising candidates for weight loss and anti-obesity. For example, herbs such as ginseng have been found useful for the management of metabolic syndromes. Saponins isolated from these herbs may have significant weight loss effects. Many of these saponins have both anti-diabetes and anti-obesity properties. They can inhibit pancreatic lipase and delay the intestinal absorption of dietary fat. Many also have anti-inflammatory properties. Some can control blood pressure and reduce risks of cardiovascular diseases. They can be potential therapeutics for healing obesity-related diseases including hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and atherosclerosis.

Excerpts:

“Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been found very useful for the management of metabolic syndrome including obesity. For example, herbs such as … have been considered the potential candidates as effective therapeutics for anti-obesity. Specifically, extracts from the root, rootlet, berry and leaf of … have been proved to have properties of anti-obesity, anti-oxidation, anti-hyperglycemia, and insulin sensitization in different model systems.”

“It can decrease levels of blood glucose and lipids in diabetic animal models. It has also been found to protect beta cells, improve insulin sensitivity and inhibit oxidative stress.”

“… supplementations of … led to reductions in the body weight, total food intake, fat contents, serum total cholesterol, and levels of leptin. Both treatments also inhibited the hypothalamic expression of orexigenic neuropeptide Y, the neurotransmitter that may be responsible for increased food intake.”

“It has been suggested that the anti-obesity effects of the crude saponins may be mediated through the inhibition of intestinal absorption of dietary fat.”

“It is known that … has properties of anti-diabetes, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer.”

“… provides stronger anti-diabetic effects than the regular … does, and is beneficial for improving conditions of diabetic nephropathy.”

“In addition, the extracts of … reduced the serum insulin resistance index and triglyceride levels.…These results suggest that saponins extracted from the root of … have both anti-diabetes and anti-obesity properties.”

“The rhizomes of … have been used as a substitute for … in China and Japan for the treatment of arteriosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and diabetes mellitus.”

“… dietary supplements of … have anti-obesity, hypolipidemia, and liver protection activities. The anti-obesity effect may be mediated through its saponins’ inhibition effects on pancreatic lipase.… has been suggested as a potential therapeutic candidate in the treatment of both obesity and hyperlipidemia. It may be effective in reducing the contents of circulating and whole body cholesterol. Such effects may also decrease the risk of cardiovascular diseases.”

“… dietary supplements of the extracts from the herbs significantly improved the control of the body weight and blood pressure. In addition, the supplements improved physical and emotional well-being, and the quality of life.”

“They have been used for healing and preventing diseases including obesity, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes type 2, hypertension, coronary heart disease, cancer, and cataract.”

“These findings suggest that supplementation of … can promote weight loss and decrease hyperlipidemia. An interesting thing is that such effects are sustainable with no withdrawal rebound. Dietary supplementation of … can be a potential therapeutic method for weight loss.”