Biochemical and histological impact of Vernonia amygdalina supplemented diet in obese rats

• Published in: Saudi journal of biological sciences Vol. 19; no. 3; pp. 385 - 392
• Main Authors: Atangwho, Item J., Edet, Emmanuel E., Uti, Daniel E., Obi, Augustine U., Asmawi, Mohd. Z., Ahmad, Mariam
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Elsevier B.V 01.07.2012; Saudi Biological Society
• Subjects: Adipose tissue; Adipose tissues; alanine; alanine transaminase; Analysis; aspartate transaminase; blood glucose; blood serum; body fat; body weight changes; brain; cholesterol; Compositae; Diet-induced obesity; drugs; Feeding and feeds; food intake; glucose; Glucose intolerance; hepatocytes; Histology; leaves; Lipid profile; obesity; Original; Rats; risk; Total body fat; triacylglycerols; Vernonia amygdalina; Vernonia amygdalina Del; الأنسجة الدهنية; Adipose tissue; Diet-induced obesity; Glucose intolerance; Vernonia amygdalina Del; Lipid profile; Histology; Total body fat
• ISSN: 1319-562X; 2213-7106
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2012.05.003

This study was carried out to evaluate the anti-obesity effect of Vernonia amygdalina Del. (VA) supplemented diet. VA leaf powder was fed at 5% and 15% to diet-induced obese rats for 4weeks and its effect compared with orlistat (5.14mg/kg p.o.), an anti-obesity drug. Food intake, body and organ weights, total body fat, some lipid components and amino transaminase activities in serum, hepatocytes and brain; as well as serum glucose, were measured during or at end of the study. Result showed respective decrease of 12.78% and 38.51% in body weight gain, of VA fed rats against 17.45% of orlistat at end of study (P<0.05); but with no effect on food intake. Total body fat was lowered by 28.04% and 30.02% vs. obese control rats (CDC) (P<0.05). Furthermore, serum triacylglycerol (TG), serum and brain total cholesterol (TCHOL), were down regulated at 15% VA supplementation (P<0.05). Serum glucose which increased in obese rats by 46.26% (P<0.05) vs. NC, indicating intolerance, was restored by VA (38.75% and 34.65%) and orlistat (31.80%) vs. CDC (P<0.05). VA diet also exerted hepato-protection, via lowering serum alanine amino transaminase (ALT) (41.35% and 27.13%) and aspartate amino transaminase (AST) (17.09% and 43.21%) activities (P<0.05). Orlistat had no effect on these enzymes. Histology of adipose tissue corroborated the changes on total body fat. We concluded that, diet supplemented with VA can attenuate dietary obesity as well as ameliorates the potential risks of hepato-toxicity and glucose intolerance associated with obesity.