Background Obesity, reached epidemic proportions globally is often associated with life threatening comorbidities. The unavailability of safe and effective long term medications for obesity in modern pharmacotherapy forces the scientific community to explore the potential of Ayurvedic traditional healers as they are considered safe and effective. Objective To explore the anti-obesity potential of aqueous extract of aerial parts of Achyranthes aspera L. (AEAA), a traditional healer in high fat diet (HFD) induced obese rats. Methods AEAA was prepared and subjected to in-vitro pancreatic lipase inhibition assay and in-vivo anti-obesity studies. For in-vivo studies, HFD fed obese prone Wistar albino rats were divided into five experimental groups (Group II to VI): animals fed with standard pellet chow served as normal control (Group I) while, animals continued with HFD alone served as obese control (Group II); Group III, IV and V were administered AEAA at a dose of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg b.w. respectively along with HFD; and animals administered orlistat (30 mg/kg bw) along with HFD served as standard control (Group VI). All the drugs were administered orally once a day for a period of 60 days. At the end of the experimental period various physical, biochemical and histopathological observations were made. Results In-vitro studies showed AEAA partially but not significantly inhibited the activity of pancreatic lipase. Data of in-vivo studies revealed, significant reduction in body weights, fat pad weights and organ weights upon AEAA treatment. Elevated levels of glucose, insulin, leptin, lipid profiles and antioxidant status were also brought back to normal. Conclusion The obtained results clearly suggested that AEAA possess pronounced anti-obesity potential.

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Elephant foot yams (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (Denst.) Nicolson) are an important part of the diet in many parts of Asia. This study aims to analyse the physiochemical, phytochemicals, and in vitro antioxidant properties of different alcoholic and aqueous extracts. HPTLC and HPCL profile of ethanolic extract tubers of A. paeoniifolius was also investigated. Important secondary metabolites were detected through physicochemical analysis and phytochemical screening. In a laboratory, the antioxidant activity of A. paeoniifolius extracts was evaluated using standard free radical scavenging assays. HPLC testing showed that Gallic Acid, Quercetin, and Rutin could be used to standardise A. paeoniifolius. The study's results showed that it would give information that could be used to identify and verify this medicinal plant correctly and may help prevent its adulteration. The extracts of A. paeoniifolius have the potential to be a powerful antioxidant that can get rid of free radicals. The parameters for characterising A. paeoniifolius described in this paper could be used as a quality control standard for this plant.