Contents Determination of Catechins Active Components in Lipid-lowering Slimming Health Products by Quantitative Analysis of Multi-Components via Single Marker / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To establish the method for contents determination of catechins active components in lipid-lowering slimming health products. METHODS:HPLC method was adopted. Using epigallocatechin gallate(EGCG)as a reference,relative correction factor(RCF)of EGCG to gallocatechin(EGC),catechin(C),epicatechin(EC),gallocatechin gallate(GCG)and gal-loylepicatechin(ECG)were calculated. The contents of EGC,C,EC,GCG and ECG in 5 batches of samples were calculated through RCF. The contents of EGC,C,EC,GCG and ECG determined by external standard method were used as measured value. The similarity of the value determined by external standard method with the value calculated by quantitative analysis of multi-com-ponents via single marker method(QAMS)was evaluated with vector included angle cosine method. RESULTS:The linear ranges of EGCG,EGC,C,EC,GCG and ECG were 0.0065-0.1305 mg/mL(r=0.9998)、0.0005-0.0107 mg/mL(r=0.9997)、0.0020-0.0400 mg/mL(r=0.9999)、0.0153-0.3053 mg/mL(r=0.9998)、0.0008-0.0155 mg/mL(r=0.9998)、0.0040-0.0792 mg/mL (r=0.9999);RSDs of precision,stability and reproducibility tests were all lower than 2.0%.The recoveries were 95.07%-100.35%(RSD=1.94%,n=6)、95.24%-101.87%(RSD=2.79%,n=6)、96.08%-103.86%(RSD=3.01%,n=6)、97.51%-101.06%(RSD=1.45%,n=6)、96.01%-101.66%(RSD=2.27%,n=6)、96.20%-102.89%(RSD=2.71%,n=6),respectively. There was no signifi-cant difference between measured value and calculated value. CONCLUSIONS:The method is simple,precise,stable and repro-ducible,and can be used for contents determination of catechins active components in lipid-lowering slimming health products.

Commercial Herbal Slimming Products: Evaluation of Heavy Metals and Microorganism Contamination at Different Batch Production / Jurnal Sains Kesihatan Malaysia

Herbal-based slimming products which are consumed orally may be contaminated with heavy metals as well as microorganisms. This study aimed to evaluate the safety level of these slimming products by determining heavy metals and microbial contamination in different batch production. Six different brands of herbal-based slimming products (A, B, C, G, H and I) with three different batch productions (1, 2 and 3) were investigated (n =18). Five heavy metals Arsenic, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper and Zinc were determined using an Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The presence of microorganisms was determined by total aerobic count and the bacteria were identified. The samples’ moisture content was determined by calculating the percentage of water loss after drying process. All batches of samples A and B had high content of zinc, over the permissible level of 5ppm while, 6 samples contained Chromium above the permissible level (1.5 ppm). All 3 batches of sample A presented with the highest total daily intake of heavy metals. Bacteria were present in all the samples tested with the highest numbers in samples G, H and A followed by B, I and C. The highest number of fungi was found in product A while product I was free from fungal contamination. Aspergillus spp. was the predominant fungus present in the samples. There was a weak correlation between moisture content and bacteria (r = 0.087) and fungal (r = 0.253) presence in the samples. As some herbal slimming products contain heavy metals as well as microorganisms, consumers need to be more vigilant and discerning when selecting products to be consumed.

Efficacy and Safety of Metformin in Weight Loss in Bahraini Population.

The aim of this study is to explore the efficacy and safety of metformin in weight loss in Bahraini population. This study was a cross-sectional survey of 100 Bahraini patients aged 20 or more randomly selected. Using a self-administered questionnaire, volunteers answered questions regarding purposes, doses, side effects and sources of information of metformin and its impact on weight. Results have shown that 44 % of the participants have experienced weight loss after starting metformin. Weight loss reported was 1-5 kilograms by 45.4%and up to 10 Kg by 32 % of participants. Moreover, 23% of the patients have not experienced any adverse effects after starting metformin while some patients had abdominal pain (31 %) or loss of appetite (29 %).The findings of this study prove that metformin is an effective drug for weight loss. The results may have been influenced by other factors such as specific diet and physical exercises .In regard to safety, metformin was found to have a good safety profile as the side effects reported were mild to moderate and tended to subside after a period of use.

Trypsin inhibitor from tamarindus indica L. seeds reduces weight gain and food consumption and increases plasmatic cholecystokinin levels

OBJECTIVES: Seeds are excellent sources of proteinase inhibitors, some of which may have satietogenic and slimming actions. We evaluated the effect of a trypsin inhibitor from Tamarindus indica L. seeds on weight gain, food consumption and cholecystokinin levels in Wistar rats. METHODS: A trypsin inhibitor from Tamarindus was isolated using ammonium sulfate (30-60%) following precipitation with acetone and was further isolated with Trypsin-Sepharose affinity chromatography. Analyses were conducted to assess the in vivo digestibility, food intake, body weight evolution and cholecystokinin levels in Wistar rats. Histological analyses of organs and biochemical analyses of sera were performed. RESULTS: The trypsin inhibitor from Tamarindus reduced food consumption, thereby reducing weight gain. The in vivo true digestibility was not significantly different between the control and Tamarindus trypsin inhibitor-treated groups. The trypsin inhibitor from Tamarindus did not cause alterations in biochemical parameters or liver, stomach, intestine or pancreas histology. Rats treated with the trypsin inhibitor showed significantly elevated cholecystokinin levels compared with animals receiving casein or water. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the isolated trypsin inhibitor from Tamarindus reduces weight gain by reducing food consumption, an effect that may be mediated by increased cholecystokinin. Thus, the potential use of this trypsin inhibitor in obesity prevention and/or treatment should be evaluated. .

Efficacy of Slimming Cream Containing 3.5% Water-Soluble Caffeine and Xanthenes for the Treatment of Cellulite: Clinical Study and Literature Review

BACKGROUND: Cellulite is a 'cottage cheese-like' cutaneous change caused by subcutaneous fat bulging into the dermis that usually leads to cosmetic problems. Slimming cream containing 3.5% water-soluble caffeine and xanthenes exhibits a lipolytic effect with penetration into the dermis. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of slimming cream for the treatment of cellulite. METHODS: Fifteen subjects with cellulite applied slimming cream to the thighs and inner side of the upper arms twice daily for 6 weeks. Efficacy was assessed using a standard visual scale, changes in the circumferences of the thighs and upper arms, and patient satisfaction by a questionnaire at baseline, week 3, and week 6. Safety was assessed by inquiring about adverse events through questionnaires. RESULTS: The standard visual scale score improved significantly by 0.49 points (19.8%) at week 6. Thigh and upper-arm circumferences decreased by 0.7 cm (1.7%) and 0.8 cm (2.3%), respectively, at week 6. Slight itching and transient flushing were commonly reported, but no serious adverse event occurred. CONCLUSION: The slimming cream tested appears to be effective for the treatment of cellulitis without serious adverse effects. However, additional large clinical trials are required to confirm the efficacy and safety of slimming cream for the treatment of cellulitis.

Rapid determination of 13 components illegally added in slimming functional products by UPLC-MS/MS method / 中草药

Objective: To develop a UPLC-MS/MS method for determination of the illegal addition of 13 components in slimming products. Methods: Samples were extracted with methanol by ultrasonic processing, separated by quick UPLC, and detected by quadrupole mass spectrometry with "MRM" mode. Results: The method for the rapid determination of the 13 components illegally added in slimming products was established, and the determination limits of quantification was below 2 ng. Conclusion: The method is specific, sensitive, simple, and fast for the rapid determination of the components illegally added in slimming products.

TSH levels associated with slimming pill use in a population-based study of brazilian women

OBJECTIVE: To determine the consumption of slimming pills (SP) and its association with TSH levels. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A survey was carried out in Rio de Janeiro (about 5 million inhabitants), Brazil, from June 2004 to April 2005. Households (1,500) were selected using three-stage probability sampling. Women were asked about use of SP, and blood sample was collected. Women were classified as users of SP any time in life, but not in previous two months (n = 293), current users (n = 150), and never users (n = 853). Weighted multivariate regression analyses compared TSH levels among these groups of users. RESULTS: The frequency of use of SP any time in life was 34 percent and the use in the previous two months was 11 percent. Both frequencies were greater among younger and obese women, and among those of high socioeconomic level (p-value < 0.001). TSH level was statistically lower among current users of SP (1.96 mUI/ml; 95 percentCI = 1.93-1.98) compared to previous users 2.83 mUI/ml (95 percentCI = 2.13-3.02) and never users 2.59 mUI/ml (95 percentCI = 2.20-3.21). These differences were still statistically significant after adjusting for age and body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: Use of SP decreased TSH levels among Brazilian women.

OBJETIVO: Determinar a freqüência de uso de fórmulas para emagrecer e sua associação com níveis de TSH. METODOLOGIA: Pesquisa realizada no Rio de Janeiro (5 milhões de habitantes), Brasil, de junho de 2004 a abril de 2005. A população de estudo foram mulheres com 35 anos ou mais, residentes em domicílios particulares permanentes do município do Rio de Janeiro não grávidas e não lactantes. A amostra de domicílios foi obtida por amostragem probabilística conglomerada em três estágios de seleção. As mulheres tiveram amostras de sangue coletadas e responderam a questões sobre uso de fórmulas, chás ou remédios para emagrecer. Quanto ao uso de fórmulas as mulheres foram classificadas em usuárias alguma vez na vida (n = 293), usuárias nos últimos dois meses (n = 150) e não usuárias (n = 853). Os níveis de TSH desses grupos foram comparados através de análise de regressão multivariada, levando em conta o desenho da amostra. RESULTADOS: O uso de fórmulas alguma vez na vida foi relatado por 34 por cento das mulheres e 11 por cento relataram tê-las consumido nos últimos dois meses. As freqüências foram maiores entre as mulheres mais jovens e obesas e de nível sócio-econômico mais elevado (valor de p < 0,001). Os níveis de TSH foram estatisticamente menores entre as usuárias de fórmulas (1,96 mUI/ml; IC 95 por cento = 1,93-1,98) comparados com usuárias prévias 2,83 mUI/ml (IC 95 por cento = 2,13-3,02) e não usuárias 2,59 mUI/ml (IC 95 por cento = 2,20-3,21). As diferenças entre os grupos mantiveram-se estatisticamente significantes após o ajuste por idade e índice de massa corporal. CONCLUSÃO: O uso de fórmulas para emagrecer diminuiu os níveis de TSH em mulheres brasileiras.