Mohammad Azadbakht
Mazandaran University of medical sciences, Iran
Title: Appetite efficacy of Gentiana olivieri in children with loss of appetite
Biography
Biography: Mohammad Azadbakht
Abstract
Globally, malnutrition is the major cause of mortality, especially in developing countries. Improper or inadequate food intake is one of the main causes of malnutrition. Low- food-intake and malnutrition is not only cause growth impairment but it can also cause numerous problems. Initially, low-food-intake reduces the weight, and then it can cause growth failure in children. Malnutrition is the biggest cause of death in children, and loss of appetite is the most important factor affecting malnutrition in children. Thinking over the importance of proper nutrition in child’s growth and lack of proper appetizer in pharmaceutical market, preparing an effective herbal product to increase appetite in children suffering from growth failure and malnutrition was considered. The gentiopicroside was isolated from yellow gentian by PTLC and identified by FT-IR and GC-MS. The amount of this substance in Aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic extracts of Gentiana olivieri Griseb plant was determined by HPLC and its bitterness value (5.3318) was measured. The plant’s root extract was used to prepare hydroalcoholic product (2.5%) and it appetizing effect was evaluated in children at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg/day for 1 month. Beside Variables such as weight, height, waist, consumed calories, and hunger VAS score, liver enzymes fluctuations and some blood biochemistry tests were also monitored. Amount of Gentiopicroside substance in the aqueous, ethanolic and methanolic extracts was found to be 120.8, 91.5 and 586.6 ppm respectively.The product was found to have very significant effect on weight, food intake and VAS score, compared with placebo.