Planta Med 2010; 76(6): 566-571
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1240612
Pharmacology
Original Papers
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) Leaf Extract Limits Weight Gain and Liver Steatosis in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

Taoufiq Harach1 , Olivier Aprikian1 , Irina Monnard1 , Julie Moulin1 , Mathieu Membrez1 , Jean-Claude Béolor2 , Thomas Raab1 , Katherine Macé1 , Christian Darimont1
  • 1Nestlé Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
  • 2Robertet S. A., Corporate R & D Division, Grasse, France
Further Information

Publication History

received June 3, 2009 revised October 20, 2009

accepted October 26, 2009

Publication Date:
16 November 2009 (online)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) leaf extract (RE) on the prevention of weight gain and associated metabolic disorders in mice fed a high-fat diet. For this purpose, RE was administered for 50 days at 20 or 200 mg/kg body weight (BW) to mice fed a high-fat diet. Body weight was monitored during the study and body composition was measured before and at the end of the intervention. Glucose tolerance, assessed by an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), and hepatic and faecal lipid contents were determined at the end of the study. Treatment with 200 mg/kg BW of RE induced a significant reduction of weight and fat mass gain (− 64 % and − 57 %, respectively) associated with an increase of faecal lipid excretion. This effect appears to be related to the inhibition of pancreatic lipase activity induced by RE, as demonstrated in vitro. While glucose tolerance and fasting glycaemia were not affected by RE treatment, hepatic triglyceride levels were decreased by 39 % in RE-treated mice. Administration of the lower dose of RE (20 mg/kg BW) was ineffective on all the parameters measured. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that consumption of 200 mg/kg BW of RE can limit weight gain induced by a high-fat diet and protect against obesity-related liver steatosis.

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Christian Darimont

Nestlé Research Center

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