Wood powers: larch medicine will help fight obesity
Russia is developing a new anti-obesity drug based on a natural substance from Siberian larch, which was previously known mainly as a powerful antioxidant. However, new evidence indicates that the compound may help reduce body weight, with fewer side effects than existing medications. This opens up prospects for a fundamentally new approach to combating one of the most common diseases of our time. Experts note that it is too early to talk about a ready—made medicine - it is necessary to wait for the completion of preclinical and clinical trials. Read more about the natural substance, which, if successful, will help researchers create a safe alternative to Ozempik and other drugs, in the Izvestia article.
The cure for obesity from natural substances
A new drug based on dihydroquercetin, a natural compound obtained from Siberian larch, is being developed at the A.P. Nelyubin Institute of Pharmacy at Sechenov University. If successfully tested, the drug may become a new tool in the fight against obesity. Previously, dihydroquercetin was used primarily as an antioxidant, but now there is scientific evidence confirming its effectiveness in controlling body weight.
Obesity is recognized by WHO as a chronic disease that affects more than a billion inhabitants of the planet, scientists said. It leads to serious health problems such as diabetes, diseases of the heart and blood vessels, musculoskeletal system, and certain types of cancer.
The first line of therapy is a change in diet and lifestyle, said Roman Terekhov, Associate professor of Chemistry at Sechenov University, who is leading the experiments. Nevertheless, it can be difficult for patients to achieve and maintain results, and attending physicians have to connect medications. And they may be contraindicated, for example, for people with severe kidney, liver, and heart diseases, and cause side effects, including loss of muscle mass, gastrointestinal problems, and vision problems. Therefore, scientists are looking for new ways to help overweight patients.
— For example, vitamin B1 can affect glucose metabolism, and vitamin A has the effect of blocking the formation of fat cells. Scientists from Russia and other countries have discovered another compound that may be useful, which is the flavonoid dihydroquercetin, which is obtained from larch wood," said Roman Terekhov. — Previously, flavonoids, substances that give plants a bright color, were studied primarily in terms of antioxidant properties, but now scientists have focused on the ability of dihydroquercetin to reduce body weight.
Sechenov University studied the available research and published a review article in the journal Pharmaceuticals.
— Often in studies where dihydroquercetin was used for the treatment of various diseases, in addition to the main indicators, the mass of laboratory animals was also recorded. Thanks to these data, we were convinced that against the background of taking the studied flavonoid, the weight of animals decreases by an average of 5% per month. Moreover, we excluded from the sample models with diseases that could affect weight on their own, for example, hepatitis and colitis, — said Roman Terekhov.
Associate Professor of Chemistry at Sechenov University Roman Terekhov
In comparison with the drugs currently used for weight correction, the natural compound causes significantly fewer undesirable effects. But the problem is that it has low bioavailability — when ingested, only a relatively small percentage of the molecules reach the final target, that is, the tissue where it should realize its biological effect. In addition, human metabolism is much slower than that of small animals, so assimilation is even worse, Roman Terekhov explained. Now the scientific group under his leadership is working to overcome this obstacle.
— We make dihydroquercetin compositions with various compounds, in particular, we try to increase bioavailability by adding essential amino acids: lysine, arginine, histidine. We are evaluating the compositions obtained and we plan to use the one that proves to be the most effective at the next stage of the study," the scientist said.
Prospects for a new cure for obesity
Currently, scientists are conducting a number of tests, studying the stereochemical (related to the arrangement of atoms in molecules) and physico-chemical characteristics of the substances obtained, including melting point, solubility and their ability to diffuse.
The next stage will be an animal experiment, which will be conducted in the vivarium of Sechenov University. Of the available laboratory animals, rats are the most suitable — their physiology in terms of weight accumulation is close to that of humans, Roman Terekhov explained. It will be necessary to check the effectiveness and safety of the developed dosage forms. After that, the scientists plan to attract partners and jointly create a first-in-class drug based on natural polyphenols for the treatment of obesity. If the safety and effectiveness of the drug are confirmed in clinical trials, doctors will receive a new tool for weight control of their patients.
Flavonoids have antioxidant activity, neutralize free radicals that can damage cells and tissues. Scientists have confirmed their positive effect with numerous studies, the head of the Smart Supply Chain segment of the FoodNet working group told Izvestia NTI Sergey Kosogor. For example, it has been noted that green tea catechins (EGCG), the most well-known flavonoid, enhance thermogenesis and fat oxidation, especially in combination with caffeine (green tea).
— Quercetin, which is found in onions, apples, and berries, is a powerful anti—inflammatory and antioxidant agent that inhibits the formation of fat cells. Resveratrol (found in red grapes, blueberries, peanuts) activates the SIRT1 gene (an analog of the "longevity gene"). And anthocyanins, which give color to berries (blueberries, blackberries, cherries), reduce inflammation and improve the lipid profile.
According to the expert, it is worth remembering that obesity is a condition of chronic systemic inflammation. Flavonoids reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, reducing inflammation in adipose tissue. However, it is important to understand that it is necessary to change your lifestyle in general.
"Taking magic pills while continuing to overeat fast food is clearly not the goal for which such unique research is being conducted," the scientist said.
It is difficult to say how promising the use of dihydroquercetin for the treatment of obesity will be, but the available data already suggest the need to continue research, said Alexander Makarov, a leading researcher at the Laboratory of Heterocyclic Compounds, Doctor of Chemical Sciences, Research Institute of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
— It needs to be confirmed that it promotes weight loss, that in sufficient doses it is safe, first on animals, and with positive results — already on human volunteers. Although flavonoids are traditionally considered beneficial, at high doses their safety requires mandatory verification: according to a number of studies, large amounts of antioxidants can have adverse effects, the scientist said.
However, foods rich in dihydroquercetin and other flavonoids — citrus fruits, onions, grapes, milk thistle — can be included in the diet today. They are good for health, regardless of whether it will be possible to create an anti-obesity drug based on this substance in the future, the expert emphasized.
The research is being conducted with the financial support of a grant from the Russian Science Foundation. The latest results were presented in video format at the V Congress of Young Scientists, which was held at the Sirius University of Science and Technology.
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