Syzygium jambolanum Homeopathic Formulation Improves Diabetes Modulating Adipogenic Genes in Diet-Induced Obese Mice: Comparison to the Standard Metformin Treatment

Abstract

Background: Homeopathy is an alternative therapy that uses substances dilution. The homeopathic preparation of Syzygium jambolanum (SJ) has potential use in the treatment of glycemic disorders. Objective: In this context, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of the SJ homeopathic preparation on treating obesity and glycemic/metabolic disorders compared with metformin treatment (diabetes gold-treatment) in a mice model fed a high-fat diet. Method: A total of 48 male Swiss mice were divided into six groups with eight animals each, randomly distributed as follows: obese and non-obese groups (ST), treated and non treated with SJ or metformin. Obesity was induced by high-fat/high-sugar diet, while the control mice (ST) received a standard diet for 12 weeks, after which, for 30 days, the animals received a preparation of 20 µl/100g/body-weight of SJ or a dose of 250 mg/kg metformin (by gavage). The control groups ST and HFHS received water gavage. Body composition and biochemical parameters were evaluated. The adipose genes for lipogenesis and thermogenesis were tested. Results: The mice treated with Syzygium jambolanum presented reduced weight gain (p< 0.02) and smaller adipose tissue weight, average difference from the mice treated with metformin, and both groups showed improved insulin sensitivity (p<0.04). The main results were associated with the modulation of the adipogenesis pathway (C/EPBα and PPARγ) and to the thermogenic gene Uncoupling Protein 1 (UCP1). Conclusion: Homeopathic administration of the Syzygium jambolanum preparation leads to lower body weight, blood glucose and total cholesterol and higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL), pointing its efficiency on treating diabetes and obesity.