O efeito do tratamento com Hibiscus sabdariffa sobre os parâmetros clínicos de ratos obesos

Abstract

Obesity is characterized by the fat accumulation in adipose tissues and has emerged as a global public health problem covering about 30% of the population, including all age groups and social classes. It results in the increased risk of mortality associated with other diseases, including cardiovascular disease (hypertension), hypertriglyceridemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic dysfunction, and dyslipidemia, among others. Hibiscus sabdariffa (Hs) is a plant that has possible beneficial effects on obesity; it contains hydroxycitric acid, which has an antiobesogenic effect, inhibiting the lipid accumulation in the cytoplasm. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of treatment with Hs on the clinical parameters of obese animals. Male Wistar rats were distributed in three groups: control (C) received standard diet, obese (O) received a hypercaloric diet and water plus sucrose, obese + Hibiscus sabdariffa (OHs) had obesity induction as the previous group and treatment with Hibiscus Sabdariffa (150 mg/kg/day) by gavage. The animals were submitted to obesity induction for 60 days (time 1) and 60 days of Hs treatment (time 2). The clinical parameters were evaluated through serum analysis of serum samples, weight, body fat and glycemic profile. The clinical parameters were evaluated through serum analysis, weight, body fat and glycemic profile. The comparison between groups was performed by the t-test and one-way ANOVA complemented by Bonferroni method, p <0.05. Body weight and weight gain were higher in group O when compared to C at time 1. At time 2 after obesity induction, weight and body fat, as well as energy intake, were higher in group O when related to C. The consumption reduced significantly in the OHs group when compared to O and C. Data of serum analysis showed that TG increased significantly in O and OHs groups related to C. ALT was lower in O and OHs groups compared to C. The organs of O and OHs groups, left ventricle, heart, kidneys, spleen, stomach, gastrocnemius, and the extensor digitorum longus muscle presented lower weight compared to C. Data show that treatment with Hs reduces glucose intolerance in obese rats. It was concluded that the hypercaloric diet resulted in the obesity induction and that the treatment with Hs reduced weight gain and energetic intake, besides being effective in improving glucose intolerance in obese rats.