Anti-obesity activity of methanolic extract of Lagerstroemia microcarpa wight (leaves) on Wistar albino rat model

Abstract

Object: To object of research paper is to evaluatethe anti-obesity potential of methanolic extract of Lagerstroemia microcarpa wight (leaves) in obese Wistar albino rats induced with high calorie diet (HCD).

Material and methods:The plant extract of Lagerstroemia microcarpa wight (leaves) with different solvents were evaluated for the lipase inhibitory activity. The methanolic extract of Lagerstroemia microcarpa wight (MELMW)at different concentration (100 and 200 mg/kg b.w.) was administered orally and evaluated for the estimation of biochemical parameters (SGPT, SGPT, ALP), skin & behavioral activity, oral glucose tolerance test and VLDL and LDL cholesterol (VLDL-C and LDL-C) and anti-obesity potential. Histopathological evaluation was also performed.

Result and Discussion:Thepancreatic lipase (PL) inhibitory activity result indicated that hexane extract did not inhibit the pancreatic lipase whereas methanolic extract showed 75% inhibitory activity.Hematological study indicate that hemoglobin concentration was increased in treated group compared to control group. Biochemical studyresults indicate that creatinine and urea levels were found to be little lowering in treated groups compared to control group.Oral glucose tolerance test result data indicates that a significant (p< 0.05) elevation in plasma glucose, insulin and insulin resistance in HCD control obese rats when compared to normal control rats. The anti-obesity activities data indicates that HCD has substantially altered physiological and biochemical aspects.  Administration of MELMW reduced significantly, body weight, total fat, fat percentage, blood glucose, insulin resistance, lipid profilein a dose dependent manner (100 and 200 mg /kg b.w.).

Conclusion: The MELMW is non-toxic and safe up to 3000 mg/kg bodyweight in SD rats. Treatment with MELMW has dose dependently and significantly alleviated HCD induced obesity, hyperlipidemia, as supported by other studies. This study demonstrates the antihyperlipidemic and anti-obesity potential of MELMW and offers scientific validation and basis to develop anti-obesity drugs.