Anti-obesity effects of Erythrina abyssinica stem bark extract in flies exposed to a high fat diet
Loading...
Date
2022-08
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
www.cell.com/heliyon
Abstract
Background: An in vitro assay on Sigmoidin A from Erythrina abyssinica stem bark revealed its potency to inhibit
pancreatic lipase. However, studies indicate activity of extract bioactive compounds in combination far exceed the
favorable effects of each individual compound due to synergy and additive effects. In this study, we provide
information on the effect of E. abyssinica stem bark extract in Drosophila melanogaster. The objective of the study
was to determine the safety and effects of E. abyssinica stem bark extract on fly survival, body weight, tri-
glycerides, sterol, total protein, and catalase activity of obese male D. melanogaster.
Methods: Obesity was induced by exposing D. melanogaster white mutant w 1118 to coconut food for two weeks.
Groups 1–3 were fed on coconut food þ fenofibrate at 25 mM, 50 mM, and 75 mM. Groups 4–6 were fed on
coconut food þ E. abyssinica stem bark extract at concentrations of 2.5 g/ml, 5.0 g/ml, and 7.5 g/ml. The positive
control was exposed to only coconut food while the negative control was on regular food. Fly survival observa-
tions were done for 15 days, while acute and chronic effects were done at 30 min and after 48 h respectively
following treatment. Body mass, negative geotaxis, reducing power of the extract, triglycerides (TG/TP), sterol,
total protein levels, and catalase activity were measured after 10 days of exposure to the experimental diets.
Results: Fly survival changes were observed after 10 days and E. abyssinica stem bark extract had the strongest
reducing power at 7.5 g/ml extract concentration. E. abyssinica stem bark extract reduced body mass, triglyceride
levels (TG/TP), sterol levels, and modulated catalase activity at 7.5 g/ml extract concentration. Though the
standard drug fenofibrate had the highest fat accumulation reduction potential, the extract at 7.5 g/ml was much
safer in reducing fat accumulation in obese male D. melanogaster than other concentration used.
Conclusion: Antioxidants in E. abyssinica stem bark extract are responsible for the observed anti-obesity activity.
Description
Keywords
Erythrina abyssinica, Obesity, Triglycerides, Catalase, Drosophila melanogaster