Amelioration of Metabolic and Hepatic Alterations by Caralluma fimbriata in High-Fat Diet-Fed Obese Rats
Sudhakara Gujjala *
Department of Biochemistry, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Ananthapuramu, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Lakshmaiah Govindu
Department of Zoology, SKP Government Degree College (A), Guntakal, Ananthapuramu, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Ramu Bhadramraju
Department of Biochemistry, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Ananthapuramu, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Rajendran Ramaswamy
Green-Chem Herbal Extract and Formlations, Bangalore, India.
Suresh Kumar Chitta
Department of Biochemistry, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Ananthapuramu, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Saralakumari Desireddy *
Department of Biochemistry, Sri Krishnadevaraya University, Ananthapuramu, Andhra Pradesh, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Obesity induced by prolonged high-fat-diet consumption is associated with insulin resistance, dyslipidaemia, oxidative imbalance, and hepatic injury.
Aim: The present study evaluated the effects of Caralluma fimbriata extract (CFE) on fat deposition, oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis in the liver of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats.
Method: Thirty male Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n = 6): control (C), control+CFE, HFD, HFD+CFE (200 mg/kg/day for 150 days; preventive model), and obese+CFE (OBS+CFE; 200 mg/kg/day after 90 days of HFD feeding for the subsequent 60 days; therapeutic model).
Results: HFD-fed rats showed significant increases in body weight, plasma glucose, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), leptin, lipid-profile parameters, and hepatic markers. Elevated lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation, together with reduced antioxidant enzyme activities (GPx, GR, GST, SOD, and CAT) and HDL cholesterol levels, were also observed. CFE supplementation significantly improved body weight, hyperglycaemia, insulin resistance, hyperleptinaemia, and dyslipidaemia. It increased HDL-C levels and restored antioxidant enzyme activities in both the preventive and therapeutic groups. Additionally, CFE significantly (p < 0.05) reduced plasma and hepatic lipids, including triglycerides, total cholesterol, and free fatty acids, while improving phospholipid levels.
Conclusion: Histopathological findings supported these results. Overall, CFE ameliorated liver dysfunction in HFD-fed rats by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, suggesting potential protective and therapeutic effects.
Keywords: Caralluma fimbriata, oxidative stress, insulin resistance, high-fat diet, hepatic transaminases