Comparative Food Intake Inhibitory Activity of Sida cordifolia L. and Withania somnifera L. in Rats

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate food intake inhibitory activity of aqueous extract of Sida cordifolia (AESC) and alcoholic extract of Withania somnifera (AEWS). Both Sida cordifolia Linn. (Malvaceae) and Withania somnifera Linn. (Solanaceae) are widely growing medicinal plants and have been reported to possess number of medicinal properties. Materials and methods: The food intake inhibitory activity of different concentrations of AESC and AEWS (0.5% w/w, 1% w/w and 1.5% w/w) were evaluated by supplementing them with normal feed of rats for seven days, measuring their body weight and food intake daily and compared with the control. Results: There was a significant decrease in food intake (P<0.001) and body weight (P<0.01) with 1 % w/w and 1.5 % w/w of AESC while decrease in food intake and body weight with 0.5 % w/w of AESC was not significant. AEWS showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease in food intake only, but no significant decrease in body weight was observed with AEWS at any dose level. Conclusion: Both extracts were found to have significant food intake inhibitory activity. However when compared to AEWS, AESC was found to be more effective in reducing the food intake and bodyweight.