The Experimental Study of the Beneficial Effect of Zingiberis Rhizoma on Post-menopausal Obesity Using Ovariectomized Rats

Abstract

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate anti-obesity effects of Zingiberis Rhizoma on ovariectomized rats in order to determine the possibility of the clinical use in preventing and treating post-menopausal obesity. Methods: To investigate how menopause affects obesity in woman, rats were treated with Zingiberis Rhizoma extracts. We measured various biomarkers including GOT,GPT, leptin, ghrelin, adiponectin, PPAR-γ mRNA, total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, liver weight, estradiol, uterine weight, and calcitonin, which are linked with obesity and menopause. Results: There was a significant decrease in group which was given Zingiberis Rhizoma extracts 100 mg/kg and lipid level found in blood(total cholesterol, triglyceride). Fat accumulation of liver cells was repressed, liver function was improved and leptin and adipomectin levels were significantly normalized. In addition, expression of PPAR-γ was significantly increased. Conclusions: The results indicated that Zingiberis Rhizoma extracts have anti-obesity effects on ovariectomized rats through improving liver function and lipid metabolic function.