Alternativas fitoterápicas no controle da obesidade / Phytotherapy alternatives in obesity control / Alternativas herbales en el control de la obesidad

Nos últimos anos, a obesidade vem aumentando consideravelmente entre adultos e crianças e, segundo a OMS, estima-se que em 2025 o número de obesos ultrapasse a 2,3 milhões em todo o mundo. O indivíduo obeso apresenta maiores riscos de desenvolver doenças crônicas não transmissíveis, como diabetes, doenças cardiovasculares, dislipidemias e ainda alguns tipos de cânceres. O tratamento para a obesidade é variado e inclui mudanças no estilo de vida como: hábitos alimentares e prática de atividade física, tratamento medicamentoso, cirurgia bariátrica e fitoterápicos com o potencial de auxiliar no tratamento. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma revisão bibliográfica a fim de avaliar os benefícios da utilização de medicamentos fitoterápicos como auxiliar no tratamento da obesidade, seus principais ativos, mecanismos de ação e sua utilização popular. Dentre as plantas pesquisadas e que demonstraram potencial para atuar no tratamento da obesidade encontram-se Camelia sinensis, Citrus aurantium, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Coffea arabica, Ephedra sinica, Zingiber oficinale e Senna alexandrina. Os principais mecanismos de ação envolvidos no potencial anti-obesidade das plantas medicinais são a capacidade de controle do apetite e ingestão de energia, estímulo da termogênese, inibição da lipase pancreática e redução da absorção de gordura, diminuição da lipogênese e aumento da lipólise. Desta forma, conclui-se que as plantas selecionadas neste estudo apresentaram efeitos positivos nos parâmetros bioquímicos e físicos, podendo ser incluídas nos protocolos como coadjuvantes nos tratamentos de emagrecimento.

In recent years, obesity has increased considerably among adults and children and according to the WHO, it is estimated that in 2025 the number of obese people will exceed 2.3 million worldwide. The obese individual is at greater risk of developing non-communicable chronic diseases, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia and even some types of cancer. The treatment for obesity is varied, including changes in lifestyle such as eating habits and physical activity, drug treatment, bariatric surgery and phytotherapy with the potential to aid in the treatment. The objective of this work was to carry out a literature review, evaluating the benefits of using herbal medicines as an aid in the treatment of obesity, their main assets, mechanisms of action and their popular use. Among the plants researched and that have shown potential to act in the treatment of obesity are Camelia sinensis, Citrus aurantium, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Coffea arabica, Ephedra sinica, Zingiber officiale and Senna alexandrina. The main mechanisms of action involved in the antiobesity potential of medicinal plants are the ability to control appetite and energy intake, thermogenesis stimulation, pancreatic lipase inhibition and reduction of fat absorption, lipogenesis decrease and lipolysis increase. Thus, it is concluded that the plants selected in this study showed positive effects on biochemical and physical parameters, and can be included in the protocols as adjuvants in weight loss treatments.

En los últimos años, la obesidad ha aumentado considerablemente entre adultos y niños y, según la OMS, se estima que en 2025 el número de obesos superará los 2,3 millones en todo el mundo. Los individuos obesos tienen un mayor riesgo de desarrollar enfermedades crónicas no transmisibles, como la diabetes, las enfermedades cardiovasculares, las dislipidemias e incluso algunos tipos de cáncer. El tratamiento de la obesidad es variado e incluye cambios en el estilo de vida como: hábitos alimenticios y práctica de actividad física, tratamiento farmacológico, cirugía bariátrica y medicamentos a base de hierbas con potencial para ayudar en el tratamiento. El objetivo de este trabajo fue realizar una revisión bibliográfica para evaluar los beneficios del uso de las hierbas medicinales como ayuda en el tratamiento de la obesidad, sus principales activos, mecanismos de acción y su uso popular. Entre las plantas investigadas y que mostraron potencial para actuar en el tratamiento de la obesidad están Camelia sinensis, Citrus aurantium, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Coffea arabica, Ephedra sinica, Zingiber oficinale y Senna alexandrina. Los principales mecanismos de acción implicados en el potencial antiobesidad de las plantas medicinales son la capacidad de controlar el apetito y la ingesta de energía, estimular la termogénesis, inhibir la lipasa pancreática y reducir la absorción de grasas, disminuir la lipogénesis y aumentar la lipólisis. Por lo tanto, se concluye que las plantas seleccionadas en este estudio mostraron efectos positivos sobre los parámetros bioquímicos y físicos, y pueden ser incluidas en los protocolos como coadyuvantes en los tratamientos de pérdida de peso.

Histological study on the role of ginger against cisplatin-induced testicular toxicity in albino rats

Chemotherapy with cisplatin has adverse effects on spermatogenesis. Therefore, this work aimed at investigating the protective role of ginger against cisplatin-induced testicular toxicity in male albino rats. Twenty-four adult albino rats were used in this study. They were divided into three groups. The first group served as the control group; the second group was injected with cisplatin [12 mg/kg once]; and the third group was injected with cisplatin [12 mg/kg once] and then given ginger [310 mg/kg orally] for 26 days. Testicular specimens were processed for light microscopic examination using H and E. Other specimens were processed for electron microscopic examination. Cisplatin had damaging effects on the seminiferous tubules. Some areas of the tubules showed complete depletion of germ cells. Other areas showed some spermatogonia or primary spermatocytes. Sertoli cells showed a variable degree of degenerative changes in the form of destruction of cellular processes and cell junction. Interruption of the nuclear envelope of spermatids and loss of intercellular bridges were noticed. Treating with ginger resulted in normal Sertoli cells and cell junctions. The germ cells lining the tubules were more or less normal except for some intercellular vacuolations. The use of ginger has some protective effects on the testicular structure; hence, a larger number of experiments with higher doses of ginger or longer administration period could be beneficial for patients taking chemotherapeutic drugs

Histological study of the protective role of curcumin versus ginger on renal corpuscles of carbon tetrachloride-treated mice

Carbon tetrachloride [CCl[4]] has long been known as a model toxicant. Antioxidants are used to antagonize the deleterious action of free radicals. Numerous reports suggest that both curcumin and ginger have antioxidant effects. This work was carried out to compare between the possible protective roles of curcumin and ginger on renal corpuscles of CCl[4]-treated adult male albino mice using light and electron microscopes. A total of 45 adult male albino mice were used for this study and were divided into four groups: group I served as the control group. Group II received 0.2 ml/kg CCl[4] subcutaneously twice a week for 4 weeks. Group III received CCl[4] and curcumin concomitantly at a dose of 80 mg/kg once daily orally for 4 weeks. Group IV received CCl[4] and 1 ml of ginger at a dose of 24 mg/ml once daily orally for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, renal specimens were processed for light and electron microscopic study. Morphometric analysis was also carried out on electromicrographs to evaluate for filtration barrier integrity. Renal corpuscles of CCl[4]-treated mice showed shrunken, lobulated, and hypercellular glomeruli with podocytic affection and mesangial cell proliferation. Morphometric analysis displayed disruption of filtration barrier integrity. Both curcumin and ginger resolved most of these morphological alterations. However, ginger was proven to be more potent than curcumin. Concomitant administration of ginger with CCl[4] has a more protective effect than curcumin on the renal corpuscles of adult male albino mice

Biochemical and ultrastructural studies on the protective effect of ginger extract against cisplatin-induced hepatotoxicity in adult male albino rats

Cisplatin is a highly effective antineoplastic drug used for treatment of solid tumors. Hepatotoxicity is the major adverse side effect in cisplatin-based chemotherapy. The objective of this study was to investigate the possible chemoprotective effects of ginger on the liver biochemical and ultrastructural changes induced by cisplatin chemotherapy. Twenty-four adult male albino rats were randomly divided equally into four groups: group 1 [control group]; group 2 [ginger-treated group]; group 3 [cisplatin-treated group]; and group 4 [cis platin + ginger-treated group]. At the end of the treatment, animals were killed and blood samples and liver tissues were collected for the biochemical and ultrastructural investigations. Cisplatin chemotherapy induced severe liver lesions manifested by a significant decrease in serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase and a significant increase in serum albumin level. Furthermore, dilated and vesiculated rough endoplasmic reticulum, megamitochondria, swollen mitochondria, myelin figure, lipid droplets, and wide discontinuous blood sinusoids with absence of endothelial cells and detachment of Kupffer cells were observed. Oral administration of ginger simultaneously with cisplatin improves the liver dysfunction and lesions induced by cisplatin. The results obtained provide in-vivo evidence, at biochemical and ultrastructural levels, of the chemoprotective effects of ginger against the hepatotoxicity induced by cisplatin chemotherapy

Modulation the oxidant - antioxidant imbalance induced by thioacetamide in liver of albino rats

The effect of free radicals on human beings has come to attract considerable attention due t their close relation to toxicity and disease. The aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the antioxidant efficacy of fresh garlic extract [FGE], aged garlic extract [AGE] and ginger ethanolic extract [GEE] against the oxidative stress induced by thioacetamide administration. Silymarin and Hipamax plus [HP] were employed in the current study as reference materials used in the treatment of liver diseases. Intraperitoneal [ip] administration of thioacetamide [200 mg/kg b.wt., three times a week for four weeks] induced oxidative stress that confirmed by the significant elevation of malondialdehyde [MDA, as an indicator of lipid peroxidation], nitric oxide [NO], myeloperoxidase activity [MPO] with the decline in glutathione content [GSH] and the activities of superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GSHPx], glutathione S-transferase [GST] in liver tissue. Meanwhile, there was no change in protein carbonyl. The pre and co-administration of fresh garlic extract, aged garlic extract and ginger ethanolic extract with thioacetamide significantly reduced MDA, NO, MPO activity and enhanced the activity of SOD, GSHPx, GST and markedly increase GSH content in liver tissue. In conclusion, the test materials employed in the current study displayed well marked antioxidant potency and more pronounced antioxidant potency was exerted by AGE

Effect of ginseng and/or ginger [zingiber officinal] on hepatic and cardiac enzymes and hepatic antioxidant function in rats fed high cholesterol diet

The present study was conducted to study the effect of feeding ginseng and/or ginger [=zingiber] on hepatic and cardiac enzymes activity as well as the hepatic antioxidant function in rats fed high fat diet. Fifty adult male aLbino rats were used. They were divided equally to the following five groups: group [l]= control, fed ordinary rat chow; group II, fed high fat diet; group Ill, fed high fat diet plus ginseng [100mg/kg/day]; group IV, fed high fat diet plus ginger [34mg/kg/day] and group V. fed high fat diet plus combination of both herbs in the same doses. These diets were fed for 16 weeks and the body weights were measured weekly. After this period the blood, livers and hearts were taken to asses the enzymatic activity in sera and tissues, antioxidant activity as well as serum total cholesterol and triglycerides. The body weight, liver and heart weights were increased significantly with the high fat diet compared to control and decreased significantly with addition of either ginseng or zingiber or combination of both compared to rats fed high fat diet [group II]. Serum total cholesterol and triglycerides showed significant elevations with the high fat diet and decreased significantly with addition of ginseng and/or zingiber. Activities of alkaline phosphatase [AP], aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and alanine aminotransferase [ALT] were significantly increased in group II compared to control and significantly decreased in groups III, IV and V compared to group Il In the liver the activities of AST, ALT and AP showed significant reduction in group II and significantly elevated in the last three groups compared to group II. However in the heart the AST and ALT showed insignificant changes between all groups. The hepatic cytosolic and mitochondrial antioxidant enzymes: reduced glutathion [GSH], superoxide dismutase [SOD] and glutathion peroxidase [GPX] showed significant reduction with the high fat diet and showed significant elevation with addition of ginseng and/or zingiber. We concluded that high fat diet resulted in significant elevation of enzymes activity in the blood with significant reduction of these enzymes in the liver tissues. Also the high fat diet led to inhibition of the hepatic antioxidant enzymes. On the other hand addition of ginseng and/or zingiber to the high fat diet improved all figures toward normal as well as improving of antioxidant function of the rat's liver. In addition we confirmed that ginseng and zingiber and their combination have a powerful hypolipidaemic effect

Effect of digenous drugs on changes inmorphology and cholesterol level of aorta in early atherosclerotic progression a comparative experimental study

Abnormalities in lipid metabolism are among the best known cardiovascular risk factors. Use of medicinal plants in preventing alterations in lipid metabolism has received wide attention by several workers. The present work compared the antihyperlipidaemic effect of guar gum, fenugreek and ginger extracts in hypercholesterolemic rabbits and results compared with Gemfibrozil used as a standard drug. The data pertaining to macroscopic aortic lesions and aortic cholesterol is presented here. The study showed that extracts of guar gum, ginger and fenugreek significantly reduced the sclerotic component and deposition of cholesterol in vessel wall