PHARMACOLOGICAL SCREENING OF ANTI-OBESITY POTENTIAL OF LEAVES OF BRYOPHYLLUM PINNATUM IN HIGH-FAT DIET-INDUCED MALE WISTAR RAT MODEL

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is a chronic, complicated metabolic disease characterized by excessive body fat accumulation that has detrimental effects on health. It has become a major global public health concern due to its rapidly increasing prevalence and association with multiple co-morbidities, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and some forms of cancer. Obesity develops as a result of a complex interplay between genetic, environmental, behavioral, and socioeconomic factors. Because obesity has significant effects on morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs, effective prevention and treatment strategies are essential to battling the growing obesity pandemic.

Objective: To evaluate the anti-obesity effects of the Bryophyllum pinnatum leaves extracts (BPEth., BPAq.) in a male Wistar rat model of a high-fat diet.

Method: Male Wistar rats were fed a diet high in fat to cause obesity for the anti-obesity experiment.42 male rats were used in the experiment and divided into groups I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and VII. Group I is made up of 6 rats (normal control) that were given a normal diet and no medication for 84 days. For 84 days, Group II (the obese control) was treated with a diet high in fat without the use of any medications. For 84 days, Group III received treatment with a standard medication (orlistat) and a diet high in fat.

Bryophyllum pinnatum leaves were administered orally to Group IV rats at a dose of 200 mg per day for 42 days while they were fed a diet high in fat. Bryophyllum pinnatum leaves were administered to the rats in Group V. Rats were given an oral dose of 400 mg of aqueous extract each day for 42 days after being fed a diet high in fat. Group VI rats were fed a diet high in fat for 42 days before receiving an oral dose of 200 mg of ethanolic extract from Bryophyllum pinnatum leaves. Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf ethanolic extract was administered orally to Group VII rats at a dose of 400 mg per day. These animals were placed in the treatment group for Bryophyllum pinnatum. Daily food intake and body weight were regularly monitored during the trial. The various adipose pads were weighed after 84 days, and serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and glucose were measured. The results of an acute toxicity (LD50) study were used to determine the extract dose.

Results: The results showed that feeding rats a high-fat diet resulted in a significant increase in both body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) in the obese group. Conversely, when Bryophyllum pinnatum leaf extract (aqueous and ethanolic) was administered in a single dose to groups IV, V, VI, and VII, the WH ratio and BMI significantly decreased, as did body weight, tissue weight, and lipid accumulation in the liver when compared to the obese control group. Additionally, serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, and leptin concentrations decreased.

The presence of flavonoid compounds with anti-obesity properties in Bryophyllum pinnatum leaves was found using LC-MS/MS. This study suggests that Bryophyllum pinnatum may have a significant anti-obesity effect.

Conclusions: Experimental proof for the anti-obesity activity of Bryophyllum pinnatum aqueous and ethanolic extract doses (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, respectively) is provided by the current study's findings.Bryophyllum pinnatumleaves extracts (200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of ethanolic and aqueous extract, respectively reduced body weight, body mass index, waist-hip ratio, glucose, lipid, and plasma leptin levels, as well as fat deposits in the kidney, organs, and liver. Therefore, current research supports the recommendation that Bryophyllum pinnatum be consumed to lower obesity.