LAUSR

Capsaicin from chillies and genistein from soya bean have been shown to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels effectively. This study was done to test the hypothesis if these nutraceuticals could enhance reduction in body weight in combination with a satiety peptide namely obestatin produced in the stomach. It brings about satiety mainly by reducing jejunal motility by signalling through the hypothalamus. Significant reduction in food intake and moderate reduction in gain in body weight was observed upon intraperitoneal administration in rodents. We aimed to explore if co-administration with capsaicin or genistein could further enhance the ability of obestatin to reduce gain in body weight in Diet-Induced-Obese mice. After 18 weeks on high fat diet, 22-week-old C57BL/6 mice were randomly grouped, 6 mice in each group with an average weight of 44 ± 3 g. 0.5 mg/kgBW capsaicin, 2 mg/kgBW genistein, 160 nmol/kgBW obestatin in 20% DMSO-saline was administered either individually or pairwise with obestatin, at the same time every day for a period of 8 days. Co-administration of obestatin and capsaicin showed increased reduction in food intake, gain in body weight, plasma and adipose triglycerides. Whereas, co-administration with genistein showed no enhanced effect on the parameters studied. mRNA profiling and western blot analysis of epididymal adipose tissue revealed upregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated protein γ and DiacylGlycerol AcylTransferase1 by capsaicin + obestatin and adipose triglyceride lipase by capsaicin. This opens up the possibility of using multi-pronged approaches to counter obesity through food.