Liponix - Weight Loss Supplement (Monograph)

Liponix - Weight Loss Supplement

Each capsule of Liponix contains aqueous extracts of:


Commiphora mukul:
Commiphora mukul has been established as a potent hypolipidemic agent . Various studies identify guggulsterone approximately constitute 2% of the gum resin as its active ingredients. A number of pharmacological & clinical trials have proven its efficacy. It has been found to lower serum cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids & total lipids significantly without causing any hazardous side effects.

Terminelia arjuna:
Terminelia arjuna has been used to tone up the cardiac function. It is well known for its hypolipidemic & hypocholesterolemic properties. In an experimental study it was noted that the & hypocholesterolemic rabbit receiving Terminelia Arjuna treatment showed more substantial reduction in total cholesterol & triglycerides & elevation in HDL- cholesterol than the hypocholesterolemic controlled ones.

Inula racemosa:
Inula racemosa has been used for its hypolipidemic activities. In a clinical trial, Inula racemosa based formulation was given to 250 patients having coronary Heart Disease, this treatment showed marked influence on various fraction of the body composition. Total body fat exhibited declining trend & significant reduction in cholesterol, triglycerides & total lipid level was observed. The result substantiates efficacy of the test drug as a hypolipidemic agent.

Embelica ribes:
Embelica ribes is a time tested herb that helps to reduce excess fats & regulate the metabolic activities in the body. In a pharmacological trial, Embelin, an active constituent of Embelica ribes was given to the albino rats at a dose of 20 mg/kg for 15-30 days. At the end of the treatment alteration of the enzyme activities as well as significant decrease in the tissue weight and organ were observed.

Indications:

• Adult obesity
• Hyperlipidemia
• Hypertriglyceridemia

Monograph: 

Obesity clearly poses a danger to health, having been associated with numerous health problems including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and certain types of cancer. It has also been shown to result in a decreased life span for both, men and women, diets for weight loss have been shown to be ineffective and even damaging to health.

Obesity is indicated by an abnormally high proportion of body fat. Although it is commonly assumed that obesity is due to overeating, there is, in fact a complex interaction between one’s culture, environment, exercise habits and eating styles, as well as one’s genetic makeup and biochemical individuality.

There are cases where excess weight is gained because of conditions such as food allergies and nutrition deficiencies. Other times weight gain may be due to a sluggish metabolism, chemical toxicity, insulin imbalance and excessive dieting. It can take place even as a result of impaired thermogenesis.

Metabolic rate can be understood as being the rate by which the body utilizes energy. The basal metabolic rate (BMR), which varies tremendously between individuals, is the minimum amount of energy needed to maintain normal body functions. Ages, sex, body size, type of food and fat to muscle ratio are all factors that influence how efficiently an individual burns calories. It has been found that thin people have higher metabolic rates and burn calories at a much faster rate than the obese one.

The body contains two types of fat tissue- white adipose tissue (WAT) which stores fat and brown adipose tissue (BAT) which burns up fat to produce heat in a process called termogenesis. Evidence indicates that an impairment of the termogenesis system in BAT may lead to obesity. If fat from the diet is not burned up by BAT, it is stored as fat in WAT, thus contributing to excess body weight.

Insulin allows the body to utilize glucose and carbohydrates. Factors such as genetic predisposition, eating habits and stress may interfere with glucose and carbohydrate utilization, leading to a condition called glucose intolerance, normally insulin signals the body to stop eating, but if a person has chronically elevated glucose levels due to inefficient insulin, he may eat more.

When an overweight person becomes more obese, the insulin problem becomes worse as well, because the individual becomes more unresponsive to the action of insulin. In such a person, the simple carbohydrates are initiating the release of increasing amounts of insulin, but the body can not use it efficiently. Apparently the insulin receptors on their body cells are blocked from doing their function. This prevents insulin from stimulating the transfer of glucose to the cells to give them energy, which explains why the overweight people feel tired so often. Since the insulin is not converting the glucose to energy, more glucose is then moved into the fat cells to create more fat. Thus worsening the matter.

The imbalance in insulin hormone functioning may lead to abnormality or decreased efficiency in the activity of other related and dependent hormones. Ultimately, either insulin receptors or the pancreas itself becomes exhausted, in which case diabetes can result.

The excess insulin in overweight people can lead to other problems and complications such as:

-          Increased salt and water retention

-          Sleep disorders caused by insulin interference with the neurotransmitters

-          The increased production of LDL (Low Density Lipoprotein) by the liver due to insulin stimulation, which is an increased risk for cardiovascular disorders.

-          Interference with the thyroid hormone, thyroxin thereby aggravating low metabolism

-          Decreased cell wall permeability, which can cause an increase in cell size.

-          Hypoglycemia, hunger and a further craving for simple carbohydrates.

WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

Low calorie diets and exercise have been the typical solution to losing weight. Unfortunately, the weight lost by dieters is almost always regained. As a result, many dieters fall into the trap of a repetitive cycle of weight loss and gain. The people always overlook the fact: It does not matter how much a person eats, but what a person eats is important. Whenever the body is deprived of food, whether from famine or dieting, it ensures survival by decreasing the metabolic rate in order to compensate for fewer calories. Dieting not only slows down the metabolic enzymes, but also leads to the emaciation of toxic fats in tissues and fatigue.The more rapid the weight loss, the higher risk of heart complications from muscle loss as well. For an obese person, it is essential to gain muscle mass and increase the amount of fat burning tissue. Only the diet, that provides these means, can be beneficial in such cases.

Weight loss medication work by either stimulating the nervous system or by suppressing appetite all weight loss drugs are associated with some side- effects; such as adverse effects on heart and blood pressure, an increased level of toxic fat in the tissues and also a variety of degenerative diseases.

Nirvana Wellness offers a safe and natural solution for obesity: Liponix.

Liponix helps to improve basal metabolic rate and burn body fat.Thus prevailing obesity.

Liponix overcomes the urge of the body for excess food intake. It normalizes the psychosomatic parameters leading to obesity.

Liponix helps to restore normal body functions involved in energy metabolism.

Commiphora mukul, Inula racemosa and Terminalia Arjuna, the ingredients of Liponix, have highly potent hypolipidemic and hypocholasterolaemic activities.

Liponix is a combination of following herbs:

Commiphora mukul (Guggul), Terminalia arjuna(Arjuna), Inula racemosa (Pushkaramool) and Embelia ribes(Vidanga).

1)    COMMIPHORA MUKUL (GUGGUL)

C. mukul is commonly known as Guggul or Indian Olebanum. It is well known for its anti- inflammatory, analgesic and anti- rheumatic properties. Now, it has been established as a potent hypolipidemic agent.Various studies identity (Z) – guggulsterone and (E) - guggulsterone (together constituting approximately 2% of the gum resin) as its active ingredient.

PHARMACOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL TRIALS

Following reports, quoted by Satyavati prove the efficacy of C. mukul as a hypolipidemic agent.

The petrol soluble fraction and the alcoholic extracts of C. mukul were reported to lower the serum cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic chicks. The alcoholic extract of C. mukul exhibited a similar hypercholesterolemic effect in rabbits and domestic pigs. This extract was also found to lower serum cholesterol in triton treated rats.

The petroleum ether extract (fraction A) and ethylacetate extract (fraction B) of gum guggul reduced serum cholesterol, triglycerides and total lipids in hyperlipidaemic chicks.

Fraction A was found to reduce serum cholesterol, triglycerides, total lipids and phospholipids in estrogen induced hyperlipidaemia in chicks. It also revealed a marked hypolipidemic effect Mongolian gerbils, in which hyperlipidemia were induced by diet.

In the chicks, rendered hyperlipidemic by a high fat diet, the gum resin (3 g/kg) given for 1 month in the diet, lowered serum cholesterol and triglycerides and also reversed, to some extent, the atherosclerotic process in the aorta.

In triton induced hyperlipidaemia in presbytis monkeys, the steroid fraction of guggul lowered total cholesterol (by 60.5%), triglycerides (by 39.4%), phosopholipids and also non-esterified fatty acids (by 42.9%) as compared to clofibrate which lowered the same parameters by 47.6%, 51.0%, 41.7% and 31.7%, respectively. The steroid fraction of guggul also lowered LDL cholesterol (76.1%) and VLDL cholesterol (40.6%) remarkably. The ratio of HDL cholesterol to total cholesterol in the steroid treated monkeys was significantly higher at all intervals, as compared with the initial values.

In hyperlipidemic rats and monkeys, a standard ethyl acetate extract led to significant changes in the lipoprotein profile by reducing the serum cholesterol and triglycerides and altering the ratio of HDL to LDL cholesterol apart from regression of atheromatous lesions. This extract also afforded partial protection against isoproternol induced myocardial necrosis in rats.

Studies on the mechanism of hypolipidemic action

The study on c. mukul had suggested an anion exchange property with bile acid sequestration leading to enhanced excretion of cholesterol as one of the possible mechanisms of its hypolipidemic action.

Nityanand et al.Have reported slight inhibition of cholesterol biosynthesis in rats by the alcoholic extract, as compared to Atromid (p- chlorophenoxyisobutyrate) in liver slices, by acetate incorporation. Among the various fractions of C. mukul tested in vitro for inhibition of acetate incorporation into cholesterol, the ethylacetate extract, petrol ether extract and the steroid demonstrated inhabitation, the steroid fraction revealing maximum inhibition.

Kinetic studies on the rates of cholesterol turnover in Wistar rats revealed an enhanced rate of removal of cholesterol by fraction of A of C. mukul petrol ether extract, as well as by clofibrate. Fraction A also increased the rate of removal of cholesterol, possibly through the gut. In this respect, the effect of fraction A was similar to that of clofibrate.

The ketosteroid of Guggle gum (3 mg/kg given for 1 month) lowered the serum cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides in male white leghorn chicks. The mode of action suggested is rapid degradation of cholesterol by activation of the thyroid.

The effect of C. mukul extract on the levels of dopamine beta- hydroxylase and catecholamine activity of normal and cholesterol fed rabbit tissues was studied. The catecholamine levels and enzyme activity were found to be decreased in cholesterol fed rabbits (500 mg/kg). The extract also helped to recover the decrease in catecholamine biosynthesis. This is supposed to be one of the possible mechanisms of hypolipidemic action of C. mukul.

An indigenous preparation, having C. mukul as the only ingredient, was subjected to extensive pre- clinical studies. The drug did not demonstrate any adverse action on liver function, blood urea or any haematological parameters; when administered in a dose of 400 mg thrice a day for 4 weeks. It was found to be devoid of any hormonal, central nervous system, cardiovascular or diuretic effects in rats. It showed no adverse effects in toxicity and teratogenic studies over a period of 6 months, in rats, monkeys and beagles.

A double blind cross- over trial of C. mukul (fraction A) was conducted by Kotiyal et al., (1979) in 48 patients of hypercholesterolemia, in the age group of 25-70 years. One group was treated with placebo and the other with C. mukul fraction A in a dose of 1 capsule (containing 0.5 gm of the drug) thrice a day. Results showed a highly significant reduction in serum cholesterol. Total lipids and triglycerides as well as nonesterified fatty acids also showed a marked reduction after the drug administration. . Statistical analysis before and after the placebo administration showed that it has no significant effect on the above mentioned parameters. These results prove the efficacy of Guggul as a non- toxic and safe indigenous drug in Hypercholesterolaemia.

Clinical trials conducted at B. H. U., Varanasi, showed that C. mukul administered in a dose of 2 gm, thrice a day, in patients with obesity and/ or hyperlipidemia reduced their serum cholesterol and phospholipid levels as well as their body weight significantly.

Fraction A of C. mukul 1.0 gm/ day was administered for 12 weeks to 20 patients having hyperlipoproteinaemia. It markedly lowered serum cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids and total liquids. The hypolipidemic effect of C. mukul was better than that of clofibrate administered to 20 patients.

In a double blind cross over study with placebo on 60 obese patients, crude C. mukul (4 gm in three divided doses administered for 4 weeks) revealed a significant fall in serum total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides and beta- lipoproteins while no changes were observed in these parameters with placebo.

A double blind clinical trial on 3 groups of 40 obese patients was conducted. One group was treated with crude C. mukul (12 gm thrice daily), another with fraction A petroleum ether extract (0.5 gm/ thrice daily) and the third with placebo, for 21 days. The significant lowering of serum cholesterol by crude drug and fraction A was observed from the tenth day onwards, which was further decreased by day 21.

In a clinical study on C. mukul (1.5 gm/day) compared with clofibrate (2 gm/day) over a period of 75 weeks in 51 and 10 patients of hyperlipoproteinaemia, respectively. Both drugs showed highly significant lipid lowering effect on serum cholesterol, as well as triglycerides, at all periods of observation (i.e., at an interval of 10 weeks) up to 75 weeks. In three patients with xanthomatosis treated with fraction A, there was a gradual, but complete resolution of the lesions in about 40 weeks. With clofibrate, in only one of the three patients of xanthomatosis was there complete resolution.

In another clinical trial, 47 patients were first given placebo for 1 month, followed by administration of 2 gm Guggle gum thrice a day for 3 months. A significant fall in serum cholesterol was reported at monthly intervals until 3 months after cessation of Guggle gum administration. Serum triglycerides showed reduction only after 2 months of Guggle administration and the reduction was maintained during 3 months follow- up. Serum beta- lipoproteins revealed significant decrease only after 3 months therapy and during 3 months follow- up.

A controlled clinical trial was conducted on 62 obese patients (10% overweight for height, age and sex). 35 of them received 1.5 gm fraction A of C. mukul in three divided doses, while 27 patients received placebo for 4 weeks. There was a significant reduction in serum cholesterol and triglycerides levels in the group treated with fraction A. No toxic effects or side effects were observed during the trial.

An open trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of C. mukul in 30 patients of Hyperlipidaemia, divided into 3 groups, of 10 each. Fraction A of C. mukul (300mg B.I.D.) was administered to one group, Garlic extract (1 garlic pearl B.I.D.) to second group and Clofibrate (500 mg B.I.D.) to third group. The treatment was continued for 1 month, to all the groups. Maximum decrease in serum cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL cholestrol levels was found in the group receiving C. mukul.

Motwani studied healthy individuals and the patients having coronary heart disease. He found that serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were reduced by the administration of C. mukul when the initial serum cholesterol levels were higher than 220 mg% in both subjects.

In a cross- over clinical trial of six months duration, C. mukul (purified according to the Ayurvedic method) was administered (1 gm thrice a day) for 3 months, followed by placebo treatment for 1 month, to 51 male patients with hypercholesterolaemia. A significant fall in serum cholesterol and beta- lipoproteins marked at the end of 1 month of guggle gum administration persisted 3 months after discontinuation of the drug. In this study, a steady trend for decrease in the body weight was marked.

A double blind clinical trial was carried out with fraction A of Guggul gum in 51 patients of obesity and compared to 34 obese patients treated with placebo. First group was given 300-mg capsules of the drug three times a day for 12 weeks. This group showed a significant reduction in serum cholesterol and triglycerides after 4 weeks of the treatment, which persisted up to 12 weeks. The triceps thickness was reduced significantly after 8 and 12 weeks in this group.

Hypocholesterolemic and hypolipidemic action of gum guggul was evaluated in 25 patients having Coronary artery disease (diagnosed on the basis of previous history of myocardial infarction, ECG findings, Serum cholesterol and triglycerides). Purified C.mukul was administered in the form of pills in a dose of 12- 16-gm/ day in four divided doses for 3 months. The drug not only reduced the serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels but also reversed ECG abnormalities in 16 patients. There was also a reduction in body weight at a rate of 1 kg/ month (Upadhyaya et al., 1976).

2)    TERMINALIA ARJUNA (ARJUNA)

T. arjuna. Commonly called as Arjuna, is well known for its hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic activities. It has been used to tone up cardiac functions since hundreds of years.

PHARMACOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL TRIALS

Chaturvedi (1973) had reported that alcoholic decoction of T. Arjuna significantly increases euglobin lysis time, prolongs prothrombin time and lowers the serum cholesterol levels in ischaemic heart disease patients. In this study , comprising of 30 coronary artery disease patients, T. arjuna was found to modify various known coronary risk factors like obesity , hypertension, diabetes mallitus and circulating catecholamines. No side effects were observed during this study.

In an experimental study, Tiwari et al ., (1990) noted hypercholesterolemic more significant reduction in total cholesterol and triglycerides and elevation in HDL- cholesterol than hypercholesterolemic control rabbits.

Dwivedi et al ., (1989) had studied the effect of T. arjuna in 15 stable angina cases and found it effective in reducing intensity and frequency of angina pectoris and improvement in effort tolerance. The drug lowered systolic blood pressure and body mass index and increased HDL- cholesterol. It did not cause any deleterious effects on the kidney or liver function. It has been observed to increase PGE₂, like activity following isoproterenol ischaemia in rabbits.

3)    INULA RACEMOSA (PUSHKARMOOLA)

It is commonly known as Pushkarmoola. It has been used for its hypolipidemic activities as described in ancient Ayurvedic literature.

PHARMACOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL TRIALS

Patel. (1981) had investigated biochemical effect of 1.racemosa on isoprenaline induced changes in rat’s serum glutamic oxalacetate transaminase, lactic dehydrogenase and creatinine phosphokinase and found propranolol like beneficial effect in prevention of coronary ischaemia.

An indigenous Ayurvedic preparation, having I. racemosa as the main ingredient, was studied clinically by Singh et al., (1993). It was given to 200 patients having ischaemic heart disease. At the end of the treatment, significant reduction in cholesterol, triglycerides and total lipid levels was observed. The result substantiates efficacy of the test drug as a hypolipidemic agent.

An Ayurvedic formulation, having I. racemosa as chief ingredient, was evaluated by Dubey et al., (1995). Administration of this formulation to 250 cases of coronary heart disease showed marked influence on various fractions of the body composition. Total body fat exhibited declining trend while body mass index (fat free lean body mass) did not show any alteration following changes. The drug did not cause any adverse side effects.

Suryamani , (1980) had reported that I. recemosa exhibits hypoglycaemic effect in diabetes and experimental diabetic rabbits.

4)    EMBELIA RIBES (VIDANG)

Vidanga is a time-tested herb that helps to reduce excess fat and regulate the metabolic activities in the body. It has been advised to treat ‘Medoroga’ (Meda- Fats) in ancient Ayurvedic literature: Charak Samhita, Sushrut Samhita, etc.

PHARMACOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL TRIALS

Gupta et al.,(1990 , 1991) conducted a trial to study inhibition of carbohydrate metabolism and reversibility of the effects of embelin, an active constituent of E. ribes. The albino rats were given 20 mg/ kg subcutaneously for 15-30 days. Alterations of the enzyme activities of glycolysis, lipogenesis, kreb’s cycle, NAD- and NADP- dependent enzymes, transaminases and phosphatases were noted on this treatment. Marked changes were noted in the levels of glycogen, protein, nucleic acid and certain carbohydrate constituents. Significant decrease in the tissue weight as well as organ weight was also observed

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REFERENCES

Akhtar Husain,Virmani, O. P., Popli, S. P., Misra, L. N., Gupta, M. M., Srivastava, G. N., Abraham, Z. and Singh, A. K., (1992).Dictionary of Indian Medicinal Plants, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, India.

Akhtar Husain, Thakur, R. S. and Puri, H. S., (1989) Major Medicinal Plants of India , Page: 208- 213.Central Institute of Medicinal and Plants, Lucknow, India.

Bhavaprakash Nighantu, part 1, Ed. Misra, B. S. and Vaisya,(1990). 7^th Edition, page: 151.Chaukhamba Sanskrit Sansthan, Varanasi, India.

Chopra, D., (1994). Alternative Medicine, Future Medicine Publishing Inc.,WashingtonPp. 762

Dahanukar.S., Sharma, S. and Karandikar , S., (1983). Indian Drugs July, 1983, page 305- 411

Dubey G. P., Singh, S. and Mishra , A. K. Seminar on Research in Ayurveda and Siddha, CCRAS , New Delhi, 20- 22 March. 1995.

Duwiejua , M., Zeitlin, I. J., Waterman P. G., Chapman , J., Mhango, G. J. and Provan, G. J., (1993). Planta Medica, 59 (1): 12- 16.

Dwivedi , S., (1980). M. D. (Ayu.) Thesis, B. H. U., Varanasi, India.

Dwivedi , S., Chansouria, J. P. N., Somani, P. N. and Udupa, K. N., (1989). Alternative Medicine, 3 : 115.

Gupta , S., Kanwar, U and Sanyal, S. N., (1991). Fitoterapia, 62 (5) : 419.

Kotiyal , J. P., Bisht, D. B. and Singh, D. S., (1979). J. Res. Indian Med., 14 (2) : 11-16.