Cafeteria Diet-Induced Metabolic and Cardiovascular Changes in Rats: The Role of Piper nigrum Leaf Extract

Abstract

Background. Cafeteria diet is known to induce excessive body fat accumulation (obesity) that could cause metabolic and cardiovascular changes and even death. The increase in prevalence over time and the failure in treatment options make obesity a real public health problem. The present study assessed the preventive effect of the hydro-ethanolic extract of the Piper nigrum leaf on the development of metabolic and cardiovascular changes in cafeteria diet fed Wistar rats. Methods. Thirty-six male rats were divided into 5 groups of 6 rats each: a normal control group (Nor.), a negative control group (Neg.), two groups administered different doses of extract in mg/kg (E250 and E500), and a group administered atorvastatin 10 mg/kg (Ator., reference drug). The animals were fed with experimental diets (standard and cafeteria) for a period of 5 weeks. Food and water intake were assessed daily, and the body weight assessed weekly. At the end of the feeding, plasma lipid profile and markers of hepatic and renal function were assessed. Furthermore, the relative weights of the adipose tissue and the organs were assessed. The liver, kidneys, and heart homogenates were assessed for markers of oxidative stress while the aorta was histopathologically examined. Results. Cafeteria diet-induced weight gain of 30% and increased triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level of more than 50%. Equally, an increase in the relative weight of accumulated adipose tissues of more than 90%, oxidative stress, and alteration in the organ structure were visible in cafeteria diet fed rats (Neg). Treatment with P. nigrum extract significantly prevented weight gain, dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, and alteration in the architecture of the aorta. The effect of P. nigrum extract was comparable to that of the reference drug. Conclusion. Piper nigrum leaf may prevent weight gain and possess cardioprotective activity with a strong antioxidant activity.

Protective and Ameliorative Effects of Hydroethanolic Extract of Piper nigrum (L.) Stem against Antiretroviral Therapy-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Dyslipidemia in Wistar Rats

“…PNS at 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg doses caused a decrease in body weight in test groups compared to the negative control group, further inhibiting weight gain. The thermogenic effect of P. nigrum and its action on fat metabolism may be responsible for the additional weight loss [ 40 ]. The potent alkaloid, piperine, inhibits lipid accumulation by activating metabolic enzymes such as lipoprotein lipase and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which promotes lipid use by peripheral tissues [ 69 ].…”

“…The potent alkaloid, piperine, inhibits lipid accumulation by activating metabolic enzymes such as lipoprotein lipase and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which promotes lipid use by peripheral tissues [ 69 ]. It also contains phenolic compounds and flavonoids, both of which aid in thermogenesis and reduce the expression of genes involved in weight gain and preadipocyte differentiation into adipocytes [ 40 ].…”

“…The P. nigrum dose-dependent extracts further caused a decrease in the relative weights of the kidneys in test groups compared to the negative control groups. This may be due to the fact that P. nigrum triggers fat metabolism [ 40 ]. There is evidence of a substantial relationship between kidney dimensions and renal function with prior research suggesting that kidney dimension measurements could be essential in the appraisal of a renal function [ 71 , 72 ].…”

“…Alcoholic extracts of Piper nigrum fruits and seeds were shown to offer protection against hepatotoxicity induced by ethionamide, para-aminosalicylic acid, and ethanol-CCl 4 in rats [ 33 , 46 ]. Furthermore, treating rats with Piper nigrum leaf hydroethanolic extracts reduced the effect of cafeteria diet-induced obesity [ 40 ]. Some exogenous antioxidants like Jobelyn, vitamin C, and vitamin E have been proven to potentially alleviate hepatotoxicity induced by the antiretroviral drug, nevirapine [ 47 ].…”

Diabetes Mellitus Secundária a Pancreatite Por Intoxicação Acidental Por Cafeína Em Cão

“…Isso pode ser atribuído aos TCM e a cafeína, que aumenta a taxa metabólica, gasto energético e efeitos lipolítico (Colleone, 2002). O gengibre é considerado seguro e eficaz contra certas doenças (Kalpagam e Nirmala, 2003), e a pimenta negra (Piper nigrum) demonstrou efeitos hepatoprotetores, antioxidantes e prevenção de ganho de peso (Mballa, 2021). O extrato de chá verde (Camellia sinensis) é um ingrediente comum em alimentos secos para cães.…”