Gram Research analysis of a 2026 rat study found that an extract from the medicinal plant Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides reduced weight gain, blood sugar, and liver fat in obese rats. A specially packaged version, called a phytosome, performed similarly to the prescription drug orlistat. These results are from animal research and have not yet been tested in people.
Obesity raises the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and fatty liver, and current weight-loss drugs can cause side effects that make long-term use hard. Researchers tested an extract from Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides, a medicinal plant rich in natural antioxidants called flavonoids and phenolic compounds. They fed obese rats a high-fat diet for seven weeks, then gave some of them the plant extract, a more easily absorbed version called a phytosome, or the prescription drug orlistat. The phytosome version worked about as well as orlistat and better than the plain extract. Rats showed less weight gain, lower blood sugar, healthier cholesterol, less liver fat, and less inflammation. According to research reviewed by Gram, these results come from animal testing, so they show promise but do not yet prove the plant works the same way in people.
Key Statistics
A 2026 animal study published in the Journal of Molecular Histology found that a phytosome version of Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides extract, given at 400 mg/kg for seven weeks, produced anti-obesity effects similar to the drug orlistat in high-fat diet-fed Wistar rats.
In the same 2026 rat study, the researchers reported that the phytosome formulation was more effective than the plain ethanolic extract, with benefits seen across body weight, fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, and liver fat.
The 2026 study tested plant extract doses ranging from 100 to 400 mg/kg over seven weeks, and the researchers reported a dose-dependent anti-obesity effect in obese male Wistar rats.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Can an extract from a medicinal plant, and a special version of it, help reduce obesity and its related health problems in rats fed a high-fat diet?
- Who participated: Male Wistar rats, a common laboratory rat breed, were made obese by eating a high-fat diet. The exact number of rats was not stated in the summary provided.
- Key finding: The special phytosome version of the plant extract produced results similar to orlistat, a prescription weight-loss drug, and worked better than the regular extract. Improvements included lower body weight, blood sugar, and liver fat, along with better cholesterol and less inflammation.
- What it means for you: This is early animal research, so it cannot tell you whether this plant helps people lose weight. Anyone managing obesity should keep working with their doctor and should not replace prescribed treatment with a plant extract based on these findings.
The Research Details
Researchers first checked what was in the plant extract. They used a simple lab method called thin-layer chromatography to separate its chemical parts, and they measured how much total phenolic and flavonoid compounds it contained. These compounds are plant chemicals linked to antioxidant effects.
Next, they made the rats obese by feeding them a high-fat diet. The obese rats were then split into groups. Some received the plain plant extract at doses from 100 to 400 mg/kg, which means milligrams of extract per kilogram of body weight. Another group received the phytosome version, a form of the extract wrapped in fat-like molecules that may help the body absorb it better. A comparison group received orlistat at 25 mg/kg. Treatment lasted seven weeks.
At the end, the team measured body weight, fat mass, blood sugar, cholesterol and other blood fats, liver enzymes, a marker of inflammation called TNF-alpha, antioxidant levels, and organ weights. They also examined tissue samples under a microscope to look for liver damage, blood vessel damage, immune cell buildup, and enlarged fat cells.
Testing in rats lets researchers control diet, dose, and timing closely, which makes it easier to see whether a treatment causes a change. Including a group on orlistat, a drug already approved for weight loss, gives a useful benchmark. Comparing the plain extract with the phytosome version also shows whether the delivery method changes how well the plant works. Microscope checks add detail beyond weight numbers by showing what happened inside the organs.
The study used standard lab methods, a recognized rat model of diet-induced obesity, and a drug comparison group, which are strengths. It measured several outcomes, not just weight. However, the abstract does not state how many rats were in each group, how results were statistically analyzed, or whether the study was independently checked. Animal studies also often do not translate directly to humans, so the findings should be seen as early evidence.
What the Results Show
The researchers reported that the plant extract produced significant anti-obesity effects, and the effect grew stronger as the dose increased. This pattern, called a dose-dependent response, is often considered a sign that a treatment is acting on the body rather than producing a random result.
The phytosome formulation performed best. At 400 mg/kg, it produced effects similar to orlistat, a drug that works by blocking some fat absorption in the gut. The phytosome version was also more effective than the plain extract, suggesting that how the plant compounds are packaged may matter.
Treated rats showed marked improvement in several areas. Their body weight, fasting blood sugar, cholesterol and other blood fats, and liver enzyme levels improved. Liver fat buildup decreased, and total body fat was lower. The researchers also reported lower levels of TNF-alpha, a protein that signals inflammation, along with better antioxidant status and healthier organ weights.
Microscope exams supported these findings. The treated rats showed less liver damage, less blood vessel damage, fewer inflammatory immune cells gathering in tissues, and smaller fat cells compared with untreated obese rats.
Beyond weight and blood sugar, the study looked at how the extract affected the body’s inflammation and oxidative stress, which is the damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals. Lower inflammation and better antioxidant levels suggest the extract may protect tissues from this type of damage, which matters because obesity often drives both. Improvements in liver and blood vessel tissue are also meaningful, since obesity can harm these organs over time. The fact that organ weights moved toward healthier levels suggests the benefits extended beyond fat alone.
Many plants containing flavonoids and phenolic compounds have shown antioxidant and metabolic benefits in lab and animal research, and the abstract notes this background for Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides. Phytosome technology, which packages plant compounds in fat-based carriers, has also been studied as a way to improve absorption of plant extracts in other settings. This study fits that broader pattern, but it is not yet clear how these results compare with other plant-based weight studies in size, dose, or duration.
The study was done in rats, and rat metabolism differs from human metabolism in important ways. The abstract does not state the number of animals, which makes it harder to judge how reliable the results are. The treatment lasted seven weeks, so long-term effects, including safety over months or years, are unknown. The abstract also does not describe side effects in detail, and it does not show how the extract would perform in people who eat a varied diet or take other medicines. The chemical characterization was basic, so the exact active compounds responsible for the effects are not clearly identified. Finally, the study was reported as research in an academic journal, and product quality or dosing for supplements sold to consumers may vary widely.
The Bottom Line
Confidence is low to moderate for the idea that this plant extract affects obesity-related processes in rats, because the results are consistent across several measures and show a dose-related pattern. Confidence is low for any claim about people. Anyone interested in this plant should wait for human clinical trials before considering it as a weight-management option. Current evidence does not support using it in place of proven treatments such as healthy eating, physical activity, or prescribed medications.
Researchers studying natural products, drug delivery, and obesity may find this work useful for planning human trials. People living with obesity, diabetes, or fatty liver disease may find it interesting but should not change their treatment based on it. People who take medications, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have liver or kidney conditions should speak with a healthcare professional before using any herbal product. People without obesity have little reason to act on these findings.
Animal studies are an early step, and human trials usually take years to complete. Even if human studies are started soon, it may be a long time before clear answers about benefits and safety are available. Anyone who starts a plant-based supplement should not expect rapid or large weight changes based on this research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides help with weight loss in humans?
The current evidence comes from a 2026 rat study, so it cannot confirm benefits in people. In obese rats fed a high-fat diet for seven weeks, the extract reduced body weight and fat, but human clinical trials are needed before any weight-loss claim can be supported.
How does the phytosome form of a plant extract differ from a regular extract?
A phytosome packages plant compounds with fat-like molecules that may help the body absorb them. In a 2026 rat study, the phytosome version of Hydrocotyle sibthorpioides at 400 mg/kg worked better than the plain ethanolic extract and performed similarly to orlistat.
What did the rat study find about liver health?
Rats given the extract showed less liver fat buildup, improved liver enzyme levels, and reduced liver tissue damage under the microscope. These results appeared in a 2026 study of obese male Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet for seven weeks.
Is it safe to take a herbal extract for obesity based on this research?
This study does not establish long-term safety in people. Herbal products can interact with medications and affect certain health conditions, so anyone considering one should consult a doctor or pharmacist before starting, especially if they take other medicines.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track body weight once a week at the same time of day, along with waist circumference measured once a month. Log any herbal supplements you take, including the product name, dose, and start date, so you can review patterns with your doctor.
- Use the app to set a daily reminder to check in with your healthcare provider’s guidance on any supplement, and to log meals that are high in fiber and vegetables. Focus on steps you can measure, such as walking 20 to 30 minutes a day, rather than relying on any single plant product.
- Over several months, review trends in weight, waist size, and any blood test results your doctor shares, such as fasting blood sugar or cholesterol. Note any side effects in the app, such as stomach upset, fatigue, or changes in mood, and share the log at each medical visit. Consider updating your plan only after a healthcare professional has reviewed the data.
This article summarizes an animal study in rats and is for general information only. It is not medical advice and does not establish that this plant extract is safe or effective for people. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or supplement without talking to a qualified healthcare professional, especially if you have obesity, diabetes, liver or kidney disease, or take other medicines. Herbal products are not regulated like prescription drugs, and quality can vary between brands.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.