Investigations on possible serotonergic involvement in effects of OB-200G (polyherbal preparation) on food intake in female mice

Background OB-200G is a polyherbal preparation containing aqueous extracts of Garcinia cambogia, Gymnema sylvestre, Zingiber officinale, Piper longum and resin from Commiphora mukul, all possessing thermogenic properties. Our previous studies reveal OB-200G to exert antiobesity effects in dietary an imal models of obesity. Aim of the study The present study investigated the possible involvement of serotonergic system in the effect of OB-200G on fo od intake. We examined the effects of systemic pretreatment with 5-HT deple tor, p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA, 300 mg/kg, i.p. for 6 days), 5-HT1A agoni st, (8-hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino)-tetralin (8-OH-DPAT, 0.1 mg/kg, i.p.), nonselective 5-HT antagonist, cyproheptadine (1 mg/kg, i.p.), 5-HT2 recepto r antagonist, seganserin (1 and 2 mg/kg, i.p.) and 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG, glucose antimetabolite, 500 mg/kg, i.p.) on satiety induced by OB -200G (5 00 mg/kg, p.o.) in non-deprived female mice. The results were compared with fluoxetine (10 mg/kg, i.p.), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. Met hods Fifteen minutes after the last drug administration, groups of mice wer e presented with sweetened chow and the amount of food consumed was recorde d at 0.5,1,2, 3 and 4h time intervals. Results The hyperphagic effect of PC PA, 8-OH-DPAT, cyproheptadine and 2-DG was significantly (p < 0.05) antagon ized by both OB-200G and fluoxetine. However, the anorectic effect of fluox etine was not reversed by centrally acting 5-HT2 antagonist, seganserin but the latter markedly attenuated the satiety action of OB-200G. Conclusion T he present observations suggest the role of serotonin in mediation of satie ty by OB-200G and hence its antiobesity effect.