Methanolic Extract of Piper sarmentosum Attenuates Obesity and Hyperlipidemia in Fructose-Induced Metabolic Syndrome Rats

Abstract

Obesity and hyperlipidemia are metabolic dysregulations that arise from poor lifestyle and unhealthy dietary intakes. These co-morbidity conditions are risk factors for vascular diseases. Piper sarmentosum (PS) is a nutritious plant that has been shown to pose various phytochemicals and pharmacological actions. This study aimed to investigate the effect of PS on obesity and hyperlipidemia in an animal model. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups. The groups were as follows: UG—Untreated group; CTRL—control; FDW—olive oil + 20% fructose; FDW-PS—PS (125mg/kg) + 20% fructose; FDW-NGN—naringin (100mg/kg) + 20% fructose. Fructose drinking water was administered daily for 12 weeks ad libitum to induce metabolic abnormality. Treatment was administered at week 8 for four weeks via oral gavage. The rats were sacrificed with anesthesia at the end of the experimental period. Blood, liver, and visceral fat were collected for further analysis. The consumption of 20% fructose water by Wistar rats for eight weeks displayed a tremendous increment in body weight, fat mass, percentage fat, LDL, TG, TC, HMG-CoA reductase, leptin, and reduced the levels of HDL and adiponectin as well as adipocyte hypertrophy. Following the treatment period, FDW-PS and FDW-NGN showed a significant reduction in body weight, fat mass, percentage fat, LDL, TG, TC, HMG-CoA reductase, and leptin with an increment in the levels of HDL and adiponectin compared to the FDW group. FDW-PS and FDW-NGN also showed adipocyte hypotrophy compared to the FDW group. In conclusion, oral administration of 125 mg/kg PS methanolic extract to fructose-induced obese rats led to significant amelioration of obesity and hyperlipidemia through suppressing the adipocytes and inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase. PS has the potential to be used as an alternative or adjunct therapy for obesity and hyperlipidemia.

Effects of Piper sarmentosum on Metabolic Syndrome and Its Related Complications: A Review of Preclinical Evidence

“…This observation suggests that PS supplementation prevents obesity by inhibiting 11βHSD-1 expression and activity, subsequently reducing adipocyte hypertrophy. The aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts of PS increased the circulating adiponectin levels in rats with ovariectomy-induced obesity [67] and fructose-induced MetS rats [68], suggesting that PS could prevent MetS and its components through up-regulating adiponectin levels. The methanolic leaf extract of PS reduced leptin levels in fructose-induced MetS rats [68].…”

“…The aqueous and methanolic leaf extracts of PS increased the circulating adiponectin levels in rats with ovariectomy-induced obesity [67] and fructose-induced MetS rats [68], suggesting that PS could prevent MetS and its components through up-regulating adiponectin levels. The methanolic leaf extract of PS reduced leptin levels in fructose-induced MetS rats [68]. Concurrently, food, fluid, and calorie intakes were reduced in MetS rats treated with methanolic extract of PS leaf, leading to a reduction in body adiposity and body weight [68].…”

“…The methanolic leaf extract of PS reduced leptin levels in fructose-induced MetS rats [68]. Concurrently, food, fluid, and calorie intakes were reduced in MetS rats treated with methanolic extract of PS leaf, leading to a reduction in body adiposity and body weight [68]. These observations implied that PS supplementation reduced leptin resistance in MetS rats, which subsequently inhibited hunger, leading to a decreased fat mass and body weight.…”

“…Cell culture and animal studies demonstrated that oxidative stress increases adipocyte differentiation, hyperplasia, and hypertrophy, potentially leading to obesity [70][71][72]. Kumar et al [68] suggested that the decrease in adipocyte size in fructose-induced MetS rats could be due to the antioxidant effects of active compounds in PS. However, this speculation has yet to be tested by any studies.…”

“…Overall, the current evidence suggests that PS supplementation inhibits obesity by regulating adipokine and leptin levels. Notably, leptin resistance was prevented by PS supplementation, leading to the suppression of food and calorie intake [68]. The reduction in calorie intake prevents adipocyte hypertrophy, increased body weight, and adiposity [68].…”