Screening of traditional medicinal plants and selected Asian spices for anti obesity-related bioactivities

To investigate the potential health effects of several traditional medicinal plants and spices commonly used for daily consumption, we selected eight traditional medicinal plants and 32 spices for bioactivity screening in several anti-obesity related bioassays: adenosine A1 receptor binding, cannabinoid CB1 receptor binding, inhibition of TNF-α and induction of 3T3-L1 adipocytes lipolysis. Benincasa hispida seed, sesame seed and red chili show high binding activity to adenosine A1 receptor; nutmeg, mace, black pepper, and turmeric have high binding activity to the cannabinoid CB1 receptor; mulberry stem bark, temulawak, and temukunci have high binding activity for both receptors; piment and turmeric showed high inhibition of TNF-α accumulation, while black onion seed is the only spice having high activity for induction of 3T3-L1 adipocyte lipolysis. Several well known major compounds found in these active spices were tested in the respective bioassays but they did not show activity. Thus, the activity should be from other minor compounds or from synergistic effects among different compounds.