Effect ofHibiscus sabdariffaextract on high fat diet–induced obesity and liver damage in hamsters

Abstract

BackgroundObesity is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with an increase in adipogenesis and often accompanied with fatty liver disease.ObjectiveIn this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa water extract (HSE) in vivo.MethodEight-weeks-old male mice were divided into six groups (n=8 per group) and were fed either normal feed, a high fat diet (HFD), HFD supplemented with different concentrations of HSE, or HFD supplemented with anthocyanin. After 10 weeks of feeding, all the blood and livers were collected for further analysis.ResultsMesocricetus auratus hamster fed with a high-fat diet developed symptoms of obesity, as determined from their body weight change and from their plasma lipid levels. Meanwhile, HSE treatment reduced fat accumulation in the livers of hamsters fed with HFD in a concentration-dependent manner. Administration of HSE reduced the levels of liver cholesterol and triglycerides, which were elevated by HFD. Analysis of the effect of HSE on paraoxonase 1, an antioxidant liver enzyme, revealed that HSE potentially regulates lipid peroxides and protects organs from oxidation-associated damage. The markers of liver damage such as serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels that were elevated by HFD were also reduced on HSE treatment. The effects of HSE were as effective as treatment with anthocyanin; therefore the anthocyanins present in the HSE may play a crucial role in the protection established against HFD-induced obesity.ConclusionsIn conclusion HSE administration constitutes an effective and viable treatment strategy against the development and consequences of obesity.

Lipid Lowering Potential of <i>Malakwang</i> (<i>Hibiscus</i>) Species Leaf Extract in Hyperlipidaemia-Induced Rats

“…basic standard diet gained weight in the first two weeks. This is in agreement with the trend reported by Huang [19] who fed Hamster rats, standard laboratory diet in their experiment for 10 weeks and established evidence of weight gain. The exhibition of weight gain in the first week among the rats on basic standard diet could have been due to accommodation of excess lipids and glucose in the adipose tissues and muscle as a normal storage site in form of glycogen.…”

(‐)‐Epicatechin regulates blood lipids and attenuates hepatic steatosis in rats fed high‐fat diet

“…For example, neither AST nor ALT levels were significantly elevated by high‐fat diet feeding for 10 weeks in Outbred CD‐1 Mice . While ALT and AST levels increased in hamsters fed with high‐fat diet for same 10 weeks . Studies on EC also indicated that it could significantly reduce TG at a very lower dose (1 mg/kg BW) in rats , but failed to do so at a much higher dose (0.01 mol/kg BW) in mice .…”

Morinda citrifolia Linn. (Noni) and Its Potential in Obesity-Related Metabolic Dysfunction

“…HSE and anthocyanins regulated total body weight and visceral fat, reduced serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, protected against oxidation-associated damage in liver by regulating a liver antioxidant enzyme (paraoxonase 1), and also reduced liver damage biomarkers ALT and AST [146]. …”