ABSTRACT:
Background: Obesity is a major health concern both in developed and developing countries. The use of herbal medicines became the subject of interest for the management of obesity due to its natural origin, cost effectiveness and minimal side effects. The present study aimed at investigating anti-obesity potential of Moringa oleifera (MOE) in rats. Forty adult rats (135-160g) was divided into four experimental groups: The first considered as control negative group (C-ve) and fed on normal diet, while other three groups fed on high fat diet for three weeks to induce obesity. Obese rats were divided into three equal groups (n= 10 rats). Second group (obese rats) considered as (C +ve). Third group (obese rat) receivedMOE 600 mg/ kg b.wt. for 12 weeks and fourth group receivedSimvastatin at a daily dose of 5 mg/ kg b.wt. for 12 weeks, Paraoxonase(PON), Arylesterase,Total antioxidant status (TAS),malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were evaluated. The results shown significant increase in BMI, and MDA, whereas decrease in (PON, Arylesterase,TAS, SOD, and CAT) in obese group. Treatment of obese rats with MOE or Simvastatin for 12 weeks produced a significant elevation in PON, Arylesterase, TAS,SOD, and CAT, whereas reduction in body weight and MDA. Thus, current findings reinforce the advice recommending consumption of Moringa oleifera to modulate obesity. Conclusion: Conclusively, MOE showed anti-obesity properties by inhibition of PON, Arylesterase, TAS, SOD, and CAT, and modulation of adipocytes markers.