Bioprospecting antiobesity and anticholesterol activity of ethanolic extract of Clidemia hirta leaves grown at Merapi Mountain National Park in a high fat diet-induced obese Swiss Webster mice

Abstract

Clidemia hirta is one of the invasive species. Its presence is undesirable in conservation areas such as Merapi Mount National Park. Bioprospecting its antiobesity activity could not only be the alternative solution to solve obesity problems but also to control their presence in Merapi Mount National Park. This study aims to determine the antiobesity activity of the ethanolic extract of C. hirta against the Swiss Webster strain male mice induced high-fat diet. Dried leaves were extracted using ethanol 96% with the maceration method for 48 hours. The extract was investigated for its secondary metabolites’ quantification for flavonoid, tannin, alkaloid, and total polyphenol content. Then the antiobesity test was carried out by dividing six treatment groups consisting of 4 mice. The treatment group was divided into normal control, negative control, positive control (orlistat 60 mg/kg body weight), and extract doses of 250, 500, and 750 mg/kg body weight. The parameter observed was the activity of mice, feces, feed residue, body weight, and total blood cholesterol levels for each group of mice during the treatment for 28 days. The results showed that extracts contained 35.56 ± 1.99 mg QE/g, 2.651 ± 5.10 mg TAE/g, 4.500 ± 0.49 mg GAE/g, 0.305 ± 0.85 mg AE/g. Ethanolic extract of C. hirta leaves showed antiobesity and anticholesterol activity compared to positive control. Clidemia hirta is a potential plant to be developed as a product for antiobesity and anticholesterol.