Protective Effects of Fagonia cretica L. Extract in Cafeteria Diet Induced Obesity in Wistar Rats

Obesity is one of the major life style disorders which may lead to undesirable effects on cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure and insulin resistance and eventually increases the risk of various adverse conditions like ischemic heart disease, stroke, coronary artery disease & type 2 diabetes. The present investigation was undertaken to explore protective effects of aerial parts of Fagonia cretica L. extract in cafeteria diet induced obesity in Wistar rats. Female Wistar rats were provided with cafeteria diet (CD) for the period of 10 weeks to induce obesity. Fagonia cretica L. methanolic extracts (200 & 400 mg/kg) & standard drug orlistat (30 mg/kg) were administered for last 6 weeks along with the continuation of CD. Various primary metabolic indicators of obesity like daily food consumption, body weight, lipid profile, fecal fat content & fat pads were studied. Administration of methanolic extract of Fagonia cretica L. significantly stopped increase in daily food consumption & body weight gain as compared to obese control group. Improvement in lipid profile was also observed in the all treatment groups rats as compared to obese control group rats. Obtained results validate that supplementation of Fagonia cretica L. methanolic extracts in obese rats resulted in significant protection against various indicators of obesity.