Compounds in the Stem of Etlingera elatior can reduce the levels of Free Fatty Acid and Blood Glucose in Obesity Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the potential of methanolic extracts of Etlingera elatior stems in reducing levels of free fatty acids, blood glucose, and triglycerides in obese Wistar rats and to identify the active compounds. The study was conducted using18 rats which were divided into 3 treatment groups with post-test only control groups design, namely the standard group (P0, control), the high-fat diet group (P1), and the high-fat diet + 100mg/kg BW of Etlingera elatior stem methanol extract group (P2). After 4 weeks or the last day of treatment, the rats were fasted for approximately 10-14 hours to collect their blood. Identification of the active compound components was carried out usingthe Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) instrument. The results showed that the methanolic extract of Etlingera elatior stems was able to reduce levels of free fatty acids, blood glucose, and triglycerides in obese Wistar rats. Glucose levels in the Etlingera elatior stem methanol extract group decreased by 42.08% against the high-fat diet group. The free fatty acid content of the Etlingera elatior stem methanol extract group decreased by 13.64% compared to the high-fat diet group. The triglyceride levels in the Etlingera elatior stem methanol extract group decreased by 56.84% compared to the high-fat diet group. The results of the LC-MS/MS analysis of the Etlingera elatior stem methanol extract identified five compounds with compounds thought to have the potential to reduce free fatty acids and blood glucose, namely umbelliferone and sophoricoside.