The effect of Mexican herbal infusions on diet-induced insulin resistance
2013
Hernández-Saavedra, Diego | Hernández-Montiel, Hebert L. | Gamboa-Gómez, Claudia I. | Salgado, Luis M. | Reynoso-Camacho, Rosalía
Plants that are traditionally used by the Mexican population, including Calendula officinalis Linn., Salvia officinalis and Hypericum perforatum, possess important nutraceutical properties and have been empirically tested as treatments for diverse diseases and inflammation. Infusions prepared with these plants at 1% (w/v) were tested for their phenolic compound content and in vitro antioxidant activity and administered to rats fed high fructose and saturated fat diets for 12 weeks. The total phenol and flavonoid content and DPPH and ABTS⁺ antioxidant activity were higher for the H. perforatum infusion group. Body weight gain was prevented by all of the infusion treatments, and a significant reduction in adipocyte volume and fat content was observed only after treatment with H. perforatum and S. officinalis; both infusions improved the glycaemic state and insulin resistance. Only the H. perforatum infusion enhanced adiponectin levels and decreased serum leptin and TNF-α levels. In conclusion, infusions prepared with certain plants could be useful to treat obesity, insulin resistance and systemic inflammation.
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