Effect of herbal combination of triphala and Garcinia cambogia extracts on liver function test and kidney function test in high fat diet induced obesity in rats

Abstract

Background: Obesity, a global epidemic, is a major risk factor for diabetes mellitus and cardio vascular diseases. Despite advances, the pharmacotherapy for obesity remains limited. Almost all medications for long term management of obesity have health issues. Due to the adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with many antiobesity medicines, the clinical trials are focussing on screening herbal medicines for use in the treatment of obesity, which have minimal ADRs.Methods: Rats were divided into eight groups of six each. The rats were first made obese by feeding high fat diet (HFD) for three weeks. Then treatment with the herbal extracts was given simultaneously with the HFD to the experimental groups. Rats were fed HFD for six weeks along with herbal extracts and the effect on their liver function test and kidney function test were evaluated.Results: The rats fed HFD and supplemented with herbal preparations of Triphala and G. cambogia for six weeks, showed significant improvement in liver function test and kidney function test related parameters as compared to the control group rats fed with HFD alone.Conclusions: Triphala and G. cambogia can counter the effects of HFD intake and have the potential for use as anti-obesity agents with desirable liver function test and kidney function test related parameters modulating properties.