Obesity cure in bark of a tree

Hyderabad: Extracts from the bark of a form of tree, endemic to the Western Ghats, is effective in treating obesity, scientists said.

Researchers claimed that pre-clinical trials with extracts from the tree, known in trade terms as Kindal, have indicated its potential as a natural anti-obesity drug. Obesity and diabetes form a major chunk of the disease burden in the country.

Obesity, especially, has become a cause of extreme concern with even children suffering from the condition. Very few FDA approved anti-obesity drugs are available but experts caution against their side effects.

Effects of synthetic anti-obesity drugs also cease once their intake is stopped. Researchers from the SV University in Tirupati and the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru combined to test the extracts from the bark of the Kindal tree (scientific name Terminalia Paniculata). Extracts from the flowers of this tree are already known for their efficacy against diseases like cholera, menstrual disorders and hepatitis.

“Results of our pre-clinical trials on the effects of the tree bark extracts on obesity induced rats have been very promising. It is definitely an anti-obesity drug. We are testing some more such medicinal plants for their anti-obesity activity,” Dr Balaji Meriga, assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry, SV University said. He also explained that Kindal bark extracts have extensive anti adipose tissue activity. Multiplication of adipose tissue consequently leads to obesity.

Researchers said that feeding obese rats with a diet, enriched by the Kindal tree bark extracts, significantly reduced body weight, total fat, blood glucose and insulin. Rats are generally used as test subjects in pre-clinical experimentation.

“The anti-obesity activity of this tree is beyond question. But we want to develop something better. We are looking out for other similar plants. Our aim is to produce a complete formulation,” Dr Balaji said.