Angelica root reduces obesity

A Chinese experiment tested the effects of Angelica (Angelica dahurica Radix) on two different types of obese mice. It indicated that the traditional Chinese medicinal herb can amend the negative effects of obesity, such as excess weight, high cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and low hepatic lipase activity.

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Its findings were published in the Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines.

• Human HepG2 cells were cultivated and treated with Angelica in an in vivo experiment. The cells were assayed using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), Western blot, and real time PCR assays.
• The results of the LC-MS/MS test showed that Angelica was able to manage the genes controlling the metabolism and transport of lipids. This was confirmed by the other two assays.
• Angelica decreased the expression of catalase and sterol carrier protein2 (SCP2). At the same time, they improved the expression of lipase member C (LIPC) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR?).
• The herb increased the production of LIPC and PPAR gamma in mouse liver and human liver cell cultures in vitro. This matched the outcome of the earlier in vivo tests.
• Angelica displayed the same anti-obesity activity as the phytochemical imperatorin, which is found in the herb. Imperatorin is possibly one of the active ingredients of the herb.

The researchers concluded that Angelica could be a potential means of reducing obesity and decreasing the levels of unhealthy fats that accumulate in the liver.

If you have grown interested in the natural benefits of Angelica, you can read more about it at ChineseMedicine.news.

Journal Reference:

Lu X, Yuan Z-Y, Yan X-J, Lei F, Jiang J-F, Yu X, Yang X-W, Xing D-M, Du L-J. EFFECTS OF ANGELICA DAHURICA ON OBESITY AND FATTY LIVER IN MICE. Chinese Journal of Natural Medicines. 22 September 2016;14(9):641–652. DOI: 10.1016/s1875-5364(16)30076-0.