Scientific evaluation of anti-obesity potential of aqueous seed kernel extract of Mangifera indica Linn. in high fat diet induced obese rats

Abstract Background Obesity is a medical condition often associated with chronic diseases such as hyperlipidemia, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, colon cancer, other cardiovascular diseases etc., and is become a major health problem worldwide in recent years. The non-satisfactory long term effectiveness as well as the side effects associated with the modern pharmacotherapy forced the suffering mankind to resort to better, long lasting and safe therapy. At present, the potential of natural products for treating obesity is under exploration. The aim of the study To explore the anti-obesity potential of Aqueous extract of seed kernel of Mangifera indica Linn. (AEMI) in high fat diet (HFD) induced obese rats. Methodology AEMI was subjected to in-vitro pancreatic lipase inhibition assay. For in-vivo studies, after administering HFD for a period of 45 days obese prone Wistar strains of albino rats were divided into five experimental groups (Group II to VI): animals fed with standard pellet chow served as normal control (Group I) while, animals continued with HFD alone served as obese control (Group II); Group III, IV and V were administered AEMI at a dose of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg bw respectively along with HFD; and animals administered orlistat (30 mg/kg bw) along with HFD served as standard control (Group VI). All the drugs were administered orally once a day for a period of 60 days. At the end of the experimental period various physical and biochemical parameters were analysed. Results In-vitro studies showed AEMI partially inhibited the activity of the pancreatic lipase. Data of in-vivo studies revealed, significant reduction in body weights, fat pad weights and organ weights of AEMI treated animals. Elevated levels of glucose, insulin, leptin and lipid profiles were normalized upon treatment with AEMI. Antioxidant status was also brought back to normal upon AEMI treatment. Conclusion These results suggest that the aqueous extract of seed kernel of Mangifera indica Linn. Possess pronounced anti-obesity activity and this effect may be due the pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity as well as potent antioxidant nature of therapeutic phytoconstituents present in the selected plant extract in addition to other unrevealed actions.