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

Background: Homeopathy is an alternative therapy that uses substance dilution. The homeopathic preparation of Syzygium jambolanum (SJ) has a 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. Methods: A total of 48 Swiss male mice were divided into six groups with eight animals each, randomly distributed as follows: obese and non-obese groups, treated and non treated with SJ or metformin. Obesity was induced by high-lard/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 HLHS 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 compared to 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 the thermogenic gene Uncoupling Protein 1 (UCP1). Conclusion: Syzygium jambolanum homeopathic preparation leads to lower body weight, blood glucose and total cholesterol with higher high-density lipoprotein (HDL), pointing to its efficiency in treating diabetes and obesity.