Endocrine Abstracts

H. gordonii is a supplement of natural origin indigenous to South Africa and known for its appetite suppressant properties. Owing to its acclaimed anorectic activity, the study was aimed to evaluate the effect of H. gordonii supplementation during short-term calorie restriction on appetite regulatory peptides and endocrine markers. Male albino rats were divided into three groups (n=12 in each) – control, calorie restricted (CR, 25% for 5 days), calorie restricted and H. gordonii supplemented (CR+HG, organic solvent extract given orally for 5 days at a dose of 100 mg/kg). The regulatory peptides, i.e. ghrelin, leptin, CCK, NPY, insulin and thyroid hormones were estimated in plasma at the end of the treatment. On comparison with CR rats, changes were noticed in the levels of regulatory peptides of the CR+HG rats. A significant decline in the hunger hormone, ghrelin (P<0.05) and marked increase in leptin levels were observed with a slight inhibitory effect on NPY. This denotes the appetite suppressing activity of the herb. Significantly high concentration of CCK was also noticed in CR+HG group against CR and control (P<;0.05). A modest increase in plasma T₃ levels and an unaltered response to the thyroxin levels was observed in the CR+HG rats when compared to the CR. These changes indicate hunger suppression caused by H. gordonii under CR.It is concluded that H. gordonii can modulate hunger during CR and may be used for better adherence to dietary restriction regime.