The leaves of this South American plant can be used to manage obesity-related inflammation and metabolic disorders

A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food examined the potential of a South American plant called Rudgea viburnoides in treating metabolic and inflammatory changes associated with obesity. This study was conducted by researchers from the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Brazil.

• Obesity is characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation, which is said to play a role in the development of insulin resistance, glucose intolerance, and liver damage.
• For the study, the researchers looked at whether the leaves of R. viburnoides could help reduce inflammation and metabolic changes caused by obesity in mice.
• They induced obesity in mice by feeding the animals with a diet containing high refined carbohydrates for eight weeks.
• Then, they supplemented the mice with three different doses of R. viburnoides extract: 40, 80, and 160?milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg).
• The results showed that the lowest dose (40?mg/kg) reduced adipocyte size, and improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity.
• All doses of R. viburnoides extract reduced proinflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, and CCL2 in the liver and adipose tissue.
• R. viburnoides treatment also reduced levels of cholesterol and resistin in the serum.
• The researchers also found that the R. viburnoides extract contains high levels of chlorogenic and caffeic acids, as well as flavonoids rutin and quercetin.

In conclusion, these findings confirmed that R. viburnoides can be used to treat metabolic and inflammatory changes linked to obesity.

Visit PlantMedicine.news to learn more about other medicinal plants that help manage obesity-related conditions.

Journal Reference:

Almeida JMA, Ferreira AVM, Oliveira VB, Oliveira MC, Teixeira MM, Brandao MGL. Effects of Rudgea viburnoides (Cham.) Benth. (RUBIACEAE) LEAVES ON METABOLIC AND INFLAMMATORY DYSFUNCTION INDUCED BY HIGH REFINED CARBOHYDRATE-CONTAINING DIET IN MICE. Journal of Medicinal Food. 12 December 2018; 21(12): 1266-1275. DOI: 10.1089/jmf.2018.0016