Natural Obesity Treatment? Tropical Plant Shows ‘Remarkable’ Weight-Loss Effects

Promising Antiobesity Properties Discovered in Tropical Plant from China

The plant Mallotus furetianus, indigenous to Hainan Island, China, has been found to demonstrate antiobesity properties, according to a recent scientific discovery.

With obesity being a prevalent concern globally due to its association with several lifestyle diseases, including diabetes and hypertension, there is an inherent need for unique and innovative approaches to tackling this issue.

Significant headway has been made by a research team led by Associate Professor Akiko Kojima from the Graduate School of Human Life and Ecology at Osaka Metropolitan University in the fight against obesity.

Obesity treatment with Mallotus furetianus

The team had previously explored the potential of Mallotus furetianus extract (MFE) in preventing fatty liver disease. However, until now, the plant’s antiobesity effects and mechanisms were yet to be clarified.

Using mouse models designed to study obesity, the team investigated the effects of MFE extract, revealing compelling results. Notably, MFE treatment substantially curtailed weight gain and the growth of fatty tissue.

Morphological changes were also observed in the liver and adipose tissues of the mice models. Upon further analysis, it was discovered that fat production was curtailed by limiting the expression of several transcription factors linked to fat cell differentiation.

In the words of Professor Kojima, “Our research group is searching for food ingredients with antiobesity effects, based on the idea that if we can find and incorporate them into our daily diets, we can contribute to people’s health and longevity.”

The new findings “not only suggest a link between Mallotus furetianus extract and antiobesity effects but also indicate its potential as a new food ingredient with antiobesity properties.”

The results were published in the journal Food Science & Nutrition.

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