Acosmium dasycarpum (Vog.) Yakovlev root bark reduces obesity induced by hypercaloric diet in mice: Acosmium dasycarpum improves obesity

Abstract Acosmium dasycarpum (Vog.) Yakovlev, is a Brazilian medicinal plant, belonging to the Fabaceae family known as "Unha D'anta", exclusively found in the Cerrado (Brazilian Savanna) region, and has already shown tranquilizing, hypotensive, antineoplastic and antiseptic activities reported by traditional medicine and scientific evidences. Considering that overweight and obesity are an increasing worldwide health problem, the present study aimed to investigate the anti-obesity effect of bark powder and the dichloromethane extract of A. dasycarpum compared to the most abundant bioactive component (lupeol) using an obese mice model induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). The extracts derived from root bark of A. dasycarpum were characterized (phytochemical screening and GC–MS analysis) and their biological effects tested. After obesity inducement, Swiss male mice were treated with bark root powder or dichloromethane extract or lupeol (all treatments with 10 mg/1000 g/body weight dose) during 14 days. Oral glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, lipid profile, histology, ultrasound imaging and adipogenic genes expression were evaluated. The main results showed that A. dasycarpum root bark powder and dichloromethane extract reduced body weight and adiposity as evidenced by histology and ultrasound imaging. We also verified an improved glycemic and lipid profiles by reducing triglycerides, LDL and increasing HDL. The A. dasycarpum treatment suppressed the expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBPα), fatty acid translocase (FAT), and stearoyl coenzyme A desaturase-1 (SCD-1) adipogenic genes when compared to the obese control group. In conclusion, A. dasycarpum root bark showed a potential to be an accessible adjuvant treatment for obesity.