Planta Med 2013; 79 - PE14
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1348582

The Alpha, Beta-Amyrin from Protium Heptaphyllum Exerts Antiobese-Related Effects in Mice Fed on High Fat Diet

FA Santos 1, VS Rao 1, KMMB Carvalho 1, TC Morais 1, AACA da Silva 2, MH Chaves 2
  • 1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Ceara, 60430 – 270, Ceara, Brazil
  • 2Department of Organic Chemistry, Federal University of Piaui, 64049 – 550, Piaui, Brazil

Recent studies have shown that pentacyclic triterpene group of natural compounds possess antiobese properties. This study evaluated the alpha, beta-amyrin, a pentacyclic triterpene from Protium heptaphyllum resin for its anti-obesity effects in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 15 weeks. Adult male Swiss mice treated or not with alpha, beta-amyrin (AMY, 10 and 20 mg/kg) were fed a HFD during 15 weeks. Sibutramine (SIB) treated group (10 mg/kg) was included for comparison. Mice treated with AMY and fed a HFD showed significantly decreased body weights, visceral adiposity, levels of blood glucose, plasma lipids, amylase and lipase activities relative to their respective controls fed no AMY. Additionally AMY significantly decreased the level of ghrelin, leptin, MCP-1, TNF-α, and IL-6. Sibutramine-treated group also manifested similar effects like AMY except for TNF-α level that was not different from HFD control. These findings suggest that AMY has an antiobese potential through modulation of carbohydrate and fat metabolism, and by regulating inflammatory cytokines.