Abstract
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Obesity is one of the major health problems worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate anti-obesity potential of Moringa oleifera leaves ethanolic extract (MOE) in rats. Fifty male Wistar rats of 100–120 g body weight (BW) were randomly allocated to 5 groups (n = 10) as follows: Control (Cont group) was fed basal diet. Group II (M-group) was fed basal diet and orally given MOE (300 mg/kg BW) for 14 weeks. Group III (HFD-group) was fed a high fat diet (HFD) for 14 weeks. Group IV (HFD + M-group) was fed HFD and given MOE as in group II. Group V (HFD then M-group) was fed HFD for 8 weeks then basal diet and received MOE as group II for another 6 weeks. Phytochemical analysis of MOE revealed the presence of ferulic acid, kaempferol, cinnamic acid, ellagic acid, naringenin, rutin, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, methyl gallate gallic acid, catechin, vanillin, caffeic acid, coumaric acid, syringic acid, and pyrocatechol. Feeding HFD significantly elevated the serum level of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low density lipoprotein, glucose, insulin, leptin, malondialdehyde; elevated hepatic expression of nuclear factor-kappa β (NFκβ) and induced various histopathological changes in liver. Moreover, it lowered serum levels of high-density lipoprotein, adiponectin, serum superoxide dismutase activity and catalase activity compared to control group. Interestingly, administration of MOE to HFD-fed animals either concurrently (HFD + M group), or after induction of obesity (HFD then M group), significantly reversed the HFD-induced increase in BW and visceral fat mass, hyperglycemia, hyperleptinemia, hyperinsulinemia, hypoadiponectinemia, dyslipidemia; increased lipid peroxidation, hepatic NFκβ protein expression; restored normal hepatic tissue architecture and antioxidant activity. In conclusion, MOE ameliorated HFD-induced obesity, adiposity, serum biochemical and hepatic histopathological alterations. MOE accomplished these effects mostly through the anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant activities of its various bioactive identified compounds.