Effects of ethanolic extract of Irvingia gabonensis on the liver of progesterone induced obesity in female Swiss mice

Abstract

Objective: The study was designed to investigate the effects of Irvingia gabonensis ethanolic extract (IGE) on the liver and lipid profile of progesterone induced obesity in female swiss mice.Methods: Fifteen female mice weighing between 20-25g were randomly divided into three groups with each group comprising of five mice. Obesity was induced by giving the test animals progesterone (10ml/kgbw) subcutaneously at the dorsal neck region. The groups were divided as Group A- obesity controlled + diluent (10 ml/kgbw), B- obese induced +Low dose IGE (5ml/kg bw) and C- obesity induced + high dose IGE (10 ml/kg bw). After 14 days of treatments, blood samples were collected centrifuged and lipid profile levels Cholesterol, HDL, LDL and Triglyceride concentrations were estimated in the serum. The liver, peri-ovarian fat, ovary and uterus were removed from each of the mice and weighed with a sensitive balance and liver prepared for histological examinations and evaluation.Results: Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of glycosides. Obesity induction caused some fatty changes in the liver hepatocytes and the IGE treatment caused reduction of the fat globules around the hepatocyte with focal necrosis. The cholesterol and triglyceride level was higher in the low dose IGE treated but does not differ significantly from the high dose IGE treated and control (P<0.05).Conclusion: The ethanolic extract of Irvingia gabonensis at doses studied caused a reduction in the body weight in mice which is very obvious at the low dose, while the lipid profile and the blood parameters were not affected. Hence, it may be a safe herb at doses considered. The extracts caused a significant change in the liver histology which was evident by reduction of fat globules and focal necrosis, swelling of cells.Keywords: Progesterone, Induced Obesity, Irvingia gabonensis, Blood parameters, Lipid Profile.