PNS016 Effects of six weeks consumption of Hoodia gordonii on food intake and body weight in obese Wistar rats.

Resumo

Hoodia gordonii is a succulent plant, grows primarily in the deserts of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia e Angola that is traditionally used by the San people to suppress hunger and thirst while on long hunting trips or in time of famine. Thus, commercial interest was sparked by its anti-obesity activity. Researchs showed that H.gordonii contained steroid glycosides that decreased food intakes and body weight in animals. Other studies demonstrate that the inhibition of food consumption and weight loss are independent of diet nutrient content and also occur in obese animals. Based on this findings we undertook further studies with the extracts from H.gordonii to determine the effects of six weeks consumption of H.gordonii associated with low carbohydrate, hyperlipidic and hyperproteic diet (HLPD) on body weight and food intake in obese Wistar rats.