EFFECT OF GARCINIA CAMBOGIA AND ST. JOHN'S WORT (HYPERICUM PERFORATUM) EXTRACTS ON OBESITY IN MALE RATS

Abstract

Abstract This study was conducted to assess the effect of Garcinia Cambogia and H. Perforatum extracts on Obesity in male rats. The experiment was performed in 35 mature male rats distributed into 5 equal groups. Group (1) was kept as a normal control (fed on a basal diet), while rats of the other four groups were fed on a high-fat- diet for 6 weeks to induce obesity. Rats of the group (2) were left as a control positive (obese) and those of groups (3), (4) and (5) were orally given Garcinia Cambogia and H. Perforatum and their mixture in a dose of 400 mg/kg B.wts., respectively, for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, all rats were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for estimating serum liver enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST) , alanine aminotransferase (ALT) , Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and lipoprotein fractions as well as blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid and creatinine concentrations. Estimation of serum levels of thyroxin, insulin and leptin as well as histopathology of liver and kidneys were also carried out. The results showed that the two herbs extract and their mixture were significantly decreased serum levels of AST, ALT, ALP, TC, TG, LDL-c ,BUN and uric acid concentrations as well as decreased leptin level , on the other hand, it increased levels of thyroxin, insulin as well as alleviated the histopathological changes which seen in the liver and kidneys of obese rats. In conclusion, intake of Garcinia Cambogia and H. Perforatum may be useful in the treatment of obesity and for patients who suffer from hyperlipidemia . Keywords: Garcinia Cambogia, St. John's Wort, Liver enzymes, kidney function, Lipid profile, Hormones, Histopathology.