Effect of soya saponins on gold thioglucose (GTG)-induced obesity in mice.

The effect of oral administration of total soya saponins (TS) on the development of obesity induced by (GTG) injection was examined. In the GTG-obese group, the serum immunoreactive insulin (IRI) levels were significantly increased and food consumption was suggestively increased. In addition, sucrase activity in the intestinal mucosa was increased and the surface area of intestinal villi was significantly greater, suggesting enhanced gastrointestinal function. Oral administration of TS prevented development of obesity and prevented an increased level of IRI in GTG-obese animals. It also restored the sucrase activity and the surface area of intestinal villi to normal. Thus, TS may be effective in preventing development of obesity.