Experimental anorexigenic effect of a membrane proteoglycan isolated from plants

Abstract

The cessation of eating under normal physiological conditions is a voluntary act induced by a conscious sensation known as satiety. In pathological situations there is loss of appetite or anorexia. We have been able to isolate and characterize a proteoglycan from membranes of mono- and dicotyledonous plant sprouts which reduced the food intake significantly when injected into murine model systems without any rebound. Due to its membrane origin, it has been termed 'satiomem'. The plant proteoglycan (50 kDa) consisted of 70-85% carbohydrates and 15-30% proteins.