Investigation of the effects of polyherbal formulations against the combination of a high-fat cafeteria diet along with exercise modalities

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to make a polyherbal formulation of three herbs that would offset the negative effects of the high-fat cafeteria diet on rats and the beneficial effects of exercise. The ingredients for this herbal remedy included a water extract of Garcinia cambogia fruit, Trigonella foenum-graecum seed, and Glycyrrhiza glabra root in a 1:1:1 ratio. Nine groups of six male Wistar albino rats were chosen. Animals in Group I were normal and fed a standard diet; animals in Group II were given HFCD to prevent disease; animals in Group III were given HFCD plus exercise; while animals in Groups IV and V were given PHF at doses of 400 and 200 mg/kg p. o. Daily, respectively, in addition to HFCD; while animals in Groups VI and VII were exercised obese rats prevented from gaining more weight had their serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels lowered. HDL cholesterol was raised. Further, the liver biopsy showed increased mononuclear cells; fat globules numbered less; and the enzymes and cells that are regenerating were at lower levels. The polyherbal formulation plus exercise exhibited significant anti-obesity efficacy at 400 mg/kg p. o.; the effect was equivalent to orlistat plus exercise. The research employed HFCD-induced obese rats as a model to investigate the joint effects of PHF and exercise against obesity.