Abstract
The present study showed the dose beneficial of Helianthus annuus L. on 5-7 month old Balb/c mice, using different important parameters like physiological, biochemical, haematological and histopathological as indicators. The effects of Helianthus annuus seeds were investigated with the dose concentrations of 25% and 50% for 21 day supplementation, which were compared with mice fed on normal standard pelleted food. The results of the study suggested that the physiological parameters considering body weight gain was reduced with a dose-dependent concentration of Helianthus annuus seed as compared to the controls, with the order of 50% (-1.10 +/- 0.22) < 25% (-1.05 +/- 0.43) < control (1.88 +/- 0.63). The other parameters; fluid intake, urinary output, food intake, faecal weight, and dry weight did not show much differences with increasing dose concentration of 50%, with increasing supplementation in the treatment days. The effect of the drug did not show much differences in all parameters including liver function test and histopathological aspects. It is concluded that the seed of Helianthus annuus showed a beneficial effect in weight loss, the high amount of seed may be beneficial to reduce weight, is good for diabetic conditions, and results in accordance with physiological, biochemical haematological parameters supporting the kidney histopathological data as well. Hence, the use of Helianthus annuus seed extract as a drug among young people should be encouraged for obesity and its management.