Journal of Obesity & Weight Loss Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Background: In light of the lack of thriving weight-loss treatments and the public-health implications of the obesity pandemic, the development of safe and effective drugs should be a main concern. Aim: The present study was planned to evaluate the alcoholic extract of Zingiber officinale on monosodium glutamate (MSG; ajinomoto)-induced visceral obesity in neonatal (pups) Wistar rats. Materials and Methods: The Wistar rats were administered subcutaneously with MSG (4 g/kg b.w.) from day 2 to 14 after birth, on alternate days. After attaining six-weeks of age, MSG-treated rats were treated with alcoholic extract of Zingiber officinale (200 and 400 g/kg b.w., orally) or orlistat (10 mg/kg b.w., orally) for 28 days, respectively. Biochemical investigations were done on day 29 apart from weekly body weight assessment. Results: Alcoholic extract of Zingiber officinale produced significant reduction in serum leptin, insulin, glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels, and elevation in serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. Conclusion: Results were comparable positive control drug orlistat, a standard anti-obesity drug, and provide clear evidence that the alcoholic extract of Zingiber officinale treatment offered significant protection against MSG-induced obesity.

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