Abstract
The effects of ethanolic extracts of five different citrus peels on mean body and liver weight and serum lipid content were investigated in albino rats. Six groups (n=8 each) were fed with a high fat diet for seven days ad libitum before oral daily administration of the peel extracts of orange (OR), lemon (LE), lime (LI), tangerine (TA), grapefruit (GR) and synergistic combination of equal ratios (w/w), that is, (SY), respectively at a dose of 500 mg / kg body weight for 14 days. The positive control group received only the high fat diet (HFD), while the negative control group received only a standard diet (STD). The body weights of the animals were monitored every two days and the animals were sacrificed after the 7th and 14th days of or following the administration of the extracts. All the parameters increased in the positive control group (HFD) compared to the negative control (STD) group. Body and liver weights decreased in all treated groups, as well as serum cholesterol and triglycerides, which decreased significantly in SY and GR groups, p < 0.05. All extracts contained mainly flavonoids and alkaloids while the grapefruit peel extract contained additional saponins that could contribute to the reduction in both body weight and serum lipid content. Conclusively, peel extract from different types of Nigerian citrus which ordinarily serve as waste may synergistically be used to control and manage obesity and associated pathologies. Key words: Citrus peel, high fat diet, obesity, serum lipids, liver and body weight.
Highlights
Excessive body weight or obesity has in the last few decades become an emerging serious health concern throughout all cultures, especially when the diets tend towards western type
Obesity is generally associated with an increased risk of excessive fat – related metabolic and chronic diseases such as type two diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia (Bays et al, 2006)
The citrus peel extract caused a general nonsignificant decrease in liver weight by the 7th day when compared with the high fat diet (HFD) group (p > 0.05), but there was no further significant loss except only for the OR group by the 14th day (Figure 2)
Summary
Excessive body weight or obesity has in the last few decades become an emerging serious health concern throughout all cultures, especially when the diets tend towards western type. Obesity is generally associated with an increased risk of excessive fat – related metabolic and chronic diseases such as type two diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia (Bays et al, 2006). The peels of the citrus fruits, especially grapefruit and bitter orange, which are rich in flavonoid glycosides, polyphenols and volatile oils have been used in several cultures for weight control, amongst other pharmacological uses (Fujioka et al, 2006; Stohs and Shara, 2007). As part of an ongoing search for local herbal drugs for weight control, this work investigated the comparative and synergistic effects of five locally grown citrus fruits, namely, sweet orange (C. sinensis L.), lemon, (C. limon L.), lime (C. aurantifolia L.), tangerine (C. reticulate L.) and grapefruit (C. paradisi L.) on mean liver and body weights and serum lipids in albino rats fed a high fat diet
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