Researchers from RMIT University have discovered that antioxidants found in the roselle plant have anti-obesity properties that could provide an alternative to current weight management medications.
The study, led by Ph.D. candidate Manisha Singh, used human stem cells to test the impacts of phenolic extracts and organic acid from the Hibiscus Sabdariffa on inhibiting the formation of fat cells.
When cells were treated with phenolic extracts, there was a 95% reduction in fat content compared to the control cells. The study is the first of its kind to use human fat cells to test the effects of these compounds from roselle.
Obesity Management
The researchers note that adipocytes, or fat cells, are important for regulating the body's energy and sugar levels. However, when the body has an excess of fat intake, fat can be deposited in the cells, causing the cells to grow in both size and number and contributing to obesity.
The current methods of obesity management focus on lifestyle changes and medication, but medication can have negative side effects such as high blood pressure or impact the kidney and liver.
The study's findings may alter how people tackle the problem of obesity. The phenolic extracts from the roselle plant, according to Professor Benu Adhikari, Singh's Ph.D. advisor at RMIT's Food Research and Innovation Center, could contribute to the development of a healthy food product that is effective at preventing the formation of fat cells without having the unfavorable side effects of some medications.
Dr. Thilini Thrimawithana, a Senior Lecturer from the School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, claims that there is an increase in interest in studying how antioxidant-rich substances, known as polyphenols, could help manage diseases like obesity to prevent the side effects of medications like Orlistat and Liraglutide.
Vegetables and fruits are two food sources that contain polyphenols. Antioxidants reduce the oxidation that develops in our bodies, which can aid in disease prevention and the slowing of aging.
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Digestive Enzymes in the Roselle Plant
According to Singh's research, the polyphenols in the roselle plant showed the same ability to suppress digestive enzymes as some drugs used to treat obesity.
The digestive enzyme lipase, which aids in breaking down fats into smaller portions so they may be absorbed by the body through the intestines, is inhibited by polyphenols.
To utilize the phenolic extracts in health food products, the team plans to encapsulate them. The extracts can be turned into small beads that can be used to make a refreshing drink.
Encapsulation, according to Adhikari, not only prolongs the shelf life of phenolic extracts but also enables control over their release and absorption in the body.
The roselle plant's attributes, such as its hardiness, disease resistance, and ability to grow with minimal water and space, suggest it may play a more significant role in Australia's health food industry.
The findings from Singh's study indicate that the phenolic extracts and organic acid derived from the roselle plant could be a promising natural and safe alternative to current weight management medications.
The development of health food products incorporating these extracts could provide hope for individuals struggling with obesity.
The team's findings were published in in the International Journal of Food Science and Technology.
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