Comparative Studies of the Effect of Sphenocentrum jollyanum Pierre on High Fat and High Carbohydrate Diet Induced Obesity in Rats

Abstract

This study was designed to ascertain the effect of ethanol extract of Anthocleista vogelii Planch root bark on liver function and antioxidant status of obese rats. Forty male wistar rats were divided into five groups of 8 rats per group. Group 1 was fed the normal pellet diet (NPD), Group 2-3 were fed high fat diet (HFD) and Group 4-5 were fed the high carbohydrate diet (HCD) with water ad libitum for 18 weeks. After 14 weeks, Group 3 and 5 received oral treatment of 500 mg/kg b.w A. vogelii extract while Group 1, 2 and 4 received the vehicle orally for 4 weeks. Weekly body weights of all the rats were measured. At the end of 18 weeks, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were determined. Also, malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels were measured. Histopathological studies were done on sections of the liver. The results revealed that A. vogelii significantly decreased the body weight, ALT, AST and ALP activities compared to the HFD and HCD obese control. The A. vogelii extract revealed significant increase in CAT and SOD activities, and GSH level, with no significant difference in MDA level compared to the HFD and HCD obese controls. The numerous prominent fat deposits in the livers appeared relatively reduced among the group treated with the extract. In conclusion, the ethanol extract of A. vogelii root bark contained bioactive compounds which improved liver function and exhibited high antioxidant activities. The antioxidant activity of A. vogelii might be helpful in preventing the progress of various oxidative stresses, fatty liver and obesity.