Biochemical and histological impact of Vernonia amygdalina supplemented diet in obese rats

Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the anti-obesity effect of Vernonia amygdalina Del. (VA) supplemented diet. VA leaf powder was fed at 5% and 15% to diet-induced obese rats for 4 weeks and its effect compared with orlistat (5.14 mg/kg p.o.), an anti-obesity drug. Food intake, body and organ weights, total body fat, some lipid components and amino transaminase activities in serum, hepatocytes and brain; as well as serum glucose, were measured during or at end of the study. Result showed respective decrease of 12.78% and 38.51% in body weight gain, of VA fed rats against 17.45% of orlistat at end of study (P < 0.05); but with no effect on food intake. Total body fat was lowered by 28.04% and 30.02% vs. obese control rats (CDC) (P < 0.05). Furthermore, serum triacylglycerol (TG), serum and brain total cholesterol (TCHOL), were down regulated at 15% VA supplementation (P < 0.05). Serum glucose which increased in obese rats by 46.26% (P < 0.05) vs. NC, indicating intolerance, was restored by VA (38.75% and 34.65%) and orlistat (31.80%) vs. CDC (P < 0.05). VA diet also exerted hepato-protection, via lowering serum alanine amino transaminase (ALT) (41.35% and 27.13%) and aspartate amino transaminase (AST) (17.09% and 43.21%) activities (P < 0.05). Orlistat had no effect on these enzymes. Histology of adipose tissue corroborated the changes on total body fat. We concluded that, diet supplemented with VA can attenuate dietary obesity as well as ameliorates the potential risks of hepato-toxicity and glucose intolerance associated with obesity.

Anti-obesity Effect of <i>Dioscorea oppositifolia</i> Extract in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice and Its Chemical Characterization

“…Two representative anti-obesity drugs, Orlistat and Sibutramine, have been reported to increase in both AST and ALT levels in high fat diet-induced animal even if they have beneficial effects toward suppressing obesity. 24,25) Our result also showed the upregulation of AST in Orlistat-treated mice in accordance with previous literatures. In comparison, serum AST and ALT levels, the hepatotoxicity markers, were significantly decreased in D. oppositifolia-treated high-fat diet-fed mice at end of the study.…”

Obesity: The Metabolic Disease, Advances on Drug Discovery and Natural Product Research

“…Vernonia amygdalina is a small shrub typical from tropical Africa. Its leaf powder was added to the diet of dietinduced obese rats for 4 weeks and resulted in a decrease of body weight gain, serum triacylglycerol, serum and brain total cholesterol; effects were stronger than by the antiobesity drug orlistat also tested in this study [201]. Administration of pu-erh tea in rats with high fat dietinduced obesity significantly reduced the total body weight, plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride concentrations and lowdensity lipoprotein-cholesterol, suggesting an attenuating effect on fat levels and accumulation [202].…”

Preliminary Phytochemical Content and Antidiabetic Potential Investigations of &lt;i&gt;Panda oleosa&lt;/i&gt; (Pierre) Used in Kisangani Areas

“…At the dose of 500 mg/kg body weight, significant beneficial effects were reported in various physiological/histological parameters altered during diabetic VA supplemented diet was evaluated by Item et al [16] for the anti-obesity, and found that plant diet also exerted hepato-protection via lowering serum alanine amino transaminase (41.35% and 27.13%) and aspartate amino transaminase (17.09% and 43.21%) activities (P < 0.05). Khang et al [17] investigated and confirmed the hypoglycemic properties of Vernonia amygdalina and its possible mechanisms of action in a single-dose streptozotocin induced diabetic rat model that might most probably be through increasing glucose transporter 4 translocation and inhibiting hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase.…”