Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Some Medicinal Plants on Obesity

Aims: Obesity is a significant cause of disability and death. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of some medicinal plants in the treatment of obesity and its complications.

Study Design: Male Wistar rats were treated in different groups.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Physiology, Arak University of Medical Sciences (Iran), December 2015 to July 2017.

Methodology: The groups were defined as the control, the high-fat diet and the high-fat diet with hydroalcoholic extracts of Camellia sinensis, Rosa canina, Althaea officinalis, Plantago major and Orlistat in their food, for 48 days. In the serum, the profiles of the liver enzymes and the thyroid hormones were measured as parameters of their appetite.

Results: The lowest increase in appetite happened in the Camellia sinensis group and the lowest levels of blood glucose and creatinine were in the Plantago primary group. The lowest cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were seen in the Camellia sinensis group (P<0.05). The amount of alanine aminotransferase (ALP) and the level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in the Plantago major group were significantly lower than the positive control group (P<0.05). In Althaea officinalis group were higher Orlistat and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) than the control group (P<0.05). The level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in control group was significantly lower than the positive control, Camellia sinensis and Rosa canina groups (P<0.05). The level of thyroxin in Althaea officinalis, Rosa canina and Camellia sinensis groups were significantly lower than the positive control group, respectively (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Hydroalcoholic extracts of Camellia sinensis, Rosa canina, Althaea officinalis, and Plantago major are effective in reducing the damages caused by high-fat diet through decreasing lipid profiles, liver enzymes, without causing side effects on thyroid and renal functions.