For some morbidly obese people, diet and lifestyle changes alone may not be enough to shed excess pounds. It suggests that it might help.
Scientists at RMIT University in Australia began by using previous research to extract antioxidant compounds known as phenols from the flowers of the roselle plant, a member of the hibiscus family. Hydroxycitric acid was extracted from
Separate batches of human stem cells were then treated with phenol extract or hydroxycitric acid before initiating differentiation into adipocytes (adipocytes). Although acid appeared to have no effect on adipocytes, phenol-treated stem cell-derived adipocytes were found to have 95% less fat content than a control group of untreated cells.
Phenolic extracts have been found to work by inhibiting the activity of a digestive enzyme called lipase.
Lipases normally break down ingested fat into small segments that can be absorbed through the intestinal wall. Excess fat that the body does not currently need for energy is stored in fat cells. By inhibiting the action of lipase, roselle phenol allows these fats to pass easily through the digestive system.
RMIT University
It is now hoped that the extract can be encapsulated and used in health supplements without side effects such as high blood pressure that can be caused by existing weight loss medications.
A paper on this research, led by PhD candidate Manisha Singh, recently published: International Journal of Food Science and Technology.
Source: RMIT University
