Evaluation of anti-obesity activity of Gymnema sylvestre leaves extract

Obesity is characterized as abnormal or excessive fat deposition in adipose tissue and is a chronic disorder of carbohydrate and fat metabolism and poses a risk to the health and well-being of humans. Natural herbal products for weight reduction may be effective in the treatment of obesity and associated disorders. Therefore, the present study was to investigate the phytochemical screening and anti-obesity activity of Gymnema sylvestre leaves extract. The phytochemical screening Gymnema sylvestre leaves showed that the presence of saponins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, polyphenol, and coumarins whereas tannin and triterpenoids were absent in ethanol and aqueous extracts. Alkaloids and glycosides present only ethanol extract. Anthroquinones present only aqueous extract. Quantitative analysis revealed that the Gymnema sylvestre leaves has flavonoids, saponin, phenol and terpenoid. Significant amount of flavonoids (27.29 mg/gm), saponin (37.18 mg/gm) phenol (142.00 mg/gm) and terpenoid (31.00 mg/gm) were presented. The anti-obesity activity of Gymnema sylvestre proved by inhibition of lipase. Overall, it can be concluded from the present study that Gymnema sylvestre leaves contains rich source of phytochemicals and possess anti-obesity activity.