Reduction of adipose tissue mass by angiogenesis inhibitors, ob-x and als-l1023

Abstract

Similar to neoplastic tissues, angiogenesis - the formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels - occurs in the growing adipose tissue of adults. It is suggested that adipose tissue growth is angiogenesis-dependent and may be inhibited by angiogenesis inhibitors. We screened antiangiogenic and MMP inhibitory activities of water extracts from medicinal herbs and plants and selected three herbal extracts Melissa officinalis, Morus alba, and Artemisia capillaris to make Ob-X. An active fraction denominated ALS-L1023 was concentrated by activity-guided fractionation from Melissa leaves and standardized with reference compounds. Ob-X and ALS-L1023, which inhibits angiogenesis and MMP activity, regulates adipose tissue growth of nutritionally induced obesity in mouse. In human study, Ob-X decreased abdominal fat, especially visceral fat. In the phase 2 clinical study, ALS-L1023 at a dose of 1200 mg showed the reduction of visceral fat with no side effects. Ob-X and ALS-L1023 reduced visceral fat with no side effects in human clinical trial. Thus, antiangiogenic Ob-X and ALS-L1023 provides a possible therapeutic approach for preventing and treating human obesity and its related disease.