Antioxidant, Anti-Obesity, and Hypolipidemic Effects of Polyphenol Rich Star Anise (Illicium verum) Tea in High-Fat-Sugar Diet-Induced Obesity Rat Model

Abstract

Star anise (Illicium verum Hook. fil.) is commonly utilized as a culinary and medicinal fruit and is most famous in indigenous systems of medicine. The present research work aims to appraise and validate the potential of polyphenol-rich star anise tea (SAT) on oxidative stress, obesity and related biochemical parameters in high-fat-sugar-diet (HFSD)-induced obesity model in rats. SAT was prepared using the traditional method in warm water. The Reverse Phase High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) analysis was performed for the simultaneous determination of phenolic acids and flavonoids in SAT. Two doses (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) were selected to investigate the anti-obesity potential of SAT using HFSD-induced obese rat model. Major (>5 mg/100 mL) phenolic acids in SAT were p-coumeric acid, gallic aid, cinamic acid, chlorogenic acid and ferulic acid while catechin and rutin were the major flavonoids detected in the SAT. SAT exhibited 51.3% DPPH radical scavenging activity. In vivo study showed that higher doses of SAT (500 mg/kg body weight) significantly reduced the body weight increase (74.82%) and BMI (0.64 g/cm2). Moreover, significant reductions in the levels of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and VLDL were recorded in all the treatment groups in comparison to the HFSDC group. Furthermore, SAT reduced the alterations in MDA, SOD and GSH levels of experimental groups thus showing the potential against oxidative stress. The SAT-500 group showed a significant decrease in the elevated kidney and liver weights and atherogenic index in comparison to the HFSDC group. The present study proved that SAT exhibited strong protective effects against obesity and oxidative stress, especially at higher doses.

Polyphenol-rich extract from loquat fruit peel prevents hyperlipidemia and hepato-nephrotoxicity in mice: in vivo study and in silico prediction of possible mechanisms involving identified polyphenols and/or their circulating metabolites

“…Similar findings were reported in earlier research on the effect of natural products and extracts on lipid metabolism. 46,47…”

“…46,47 Besides, it is actually known that hypertriglyceridemia is closely related to an increase in body weight, liver steatosis, and abdominal obesity, which lead to insulin resistance and then hyperglycemia, constituting the onset of diabetes mellitus and CVD. 47,48 Our research showed that the Triton WR-1339 injection increased body weight, visceral adipose tissue mass, triglyceridemia, glycemia and liver lipid content; this is in accordance with previous studies. 21,49 However, the administration of peel extract significantly lowered the concentrations of TG in plasma, liver, and adipocytes, while raising their levels in bile and feces.…”

Upcycled Romaine Lettuce Powder as a Dietary Supplement for Control of Metabolic Syndrome

“…Iftikhar et al. evaluated the effects of rich polyphenols star anis tea in HFD-sugar induced obesity rats, and they observed that the cholesterol levels were lower in the treatment groups . Furthermore, Mbouche Fanmoe et al in 2021 observed that Ipomea batatas Leaf powder reduced serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides in rats fed a high-fat diet, and this effect was attributed to the high content of polyphenols in the powder …”

Essential Oils from Mediterranean Plants Inhibit In Vitro Monocyte Adhesion to Endothelial Cells from Umbilical Cords of Females with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

“…In relation to this, the positive effects of anise and laurel consumption on reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease were demonstrated, significantly improving the lipid profile with the increase of HDL cholesterol concentration and the decrease of LDL, not only in patients with type 2 DM but also in healthy people [ 41 , 42 ]. More specifically, in several in vitro and animal studies, it could be found that the phenolic acids and flavonoids contained in anise, such as p -coumaric acid, gallic aid, cinnamic acid, chlorogenic acid, and ferulic, besides catechin and rutin, contributed to prominently affecting the HDL lipid composition and to its atheroprotective action, exhibiting a radical scavenging activity, together with 1,8-cineol and other components (eugenol, acetyl and methyl eugenol, α- and β-pinene, phellandrene, linalool, geraniol, and terpineol) of laurel [ 43 , 44 , 45 ]. Unfortunately, nowadays most of the studies that can be found in the literature are based on cell culture or animal models rather than human studies, yet their effectiveness in humans is necessary to confirm through future research.…”