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EFFECT OF SLIMAX, A CHINESE HERBAL MIXTURE, ON OBESITY

Authors WIJAYA, E; WU, ZM; NG, F

Journal INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHARMACOGNOSY , MAR 1995,1:33

DOI 10.3109/13880209509088146

Abstract This communication reports the results of biological studies conducted with a phytochemical preparation known as ''''Slimax'''' which is an aqueous ethanol extract of the Chinese medicinal plants Polygonum multiflorum, Nephelium longana, Hordeum vulgare, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Lilium brownii, and Rhizoma zingiberis. Results demonstrate that the phytochemical preparation significantly reduced in vivo accretion of adiposity as evaluated by the changes in the weight of epididymal fat pads and the diameter size of fat cells from the treated C57BL/6J obese (ob/ob) mice. Elevated basal levels of blood glucose in obese mice was normalized after chronic treatment with ''''Slimax''''. Glucose oxidation in isolated epididymal fat pads from the treated mice was increased. Biochemical studies further revealed an enhancement of ex vivo lipolytic activity of the isolated adipose tissues from the ''''Slimax''''-treated mice as well as an elevation of plasma levels of fatty acids and glycerol, resulting from the increase of hormone-sensitive lipase activity in the animals. The major pharmacological action of ''''Slimax'''' appears To be on the regulation of glucose utilization and lipid mobilization.

Species covered 野百合 Lilium brownii 大麦 Hordeum vulgare 何首乌 Fallopia multiflora 川芎 Ligusticum chuanxiong