Efficacy of nutritional plant-based extracts from Aframomum citratum and Xylopia parviflora in mitigating epididymal and excrement fat accumulation in DIO-C57BL/6 mice

Abstract

Obesity is a major global health issue, frequently exacerbated by high-fat diets (HFDs), which contribute to adverse metabolic outcomes. This study investigates the efficacy of extracts from nutritional plants Aframomum citratum (C.Pereira) K.Schum and Xylopia parviflora Spruce in modulating selected anthropometric parameters and fat deposition in DIO-C57BL/6 mice. Over 30 days, we observed that the extracts significantly attenuated body mass index (BMI) and apparent fat mass index (aFMI) in treated mice compared to HFD controls. Notably, X. parviflora at 200 mg.kg⁻¹ BW (body weight) effectively reduced both visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues, while orlistat served as a comparative benchmark. Lipid profile assessments revealed significant decreases in triglycerides, total cholesterol, and fatty acid contents in the epididymal fat pads of treated animals. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis confirmed these findings and also indicated that treatment with the extracts enhanced the excretion of fatty acids, suggesting a potential mechanism of lipid malabsorption. Furthermore, histological analyses revealed a marked decrease in adipocyte size in treated groups, indicating a considerable decline in fat deposition. These findings suggest that bioactive compounds, particularly phenolic acids and flavonoids, found in A. citratum and X. parviflora extracts exhibit significant anti-obesity properties, positioning them as promising natural therapeutic agents for managing diet-induced obesity. Future research should focus on elucidating the mechanisms responsible for these effects and assessing their clinical applicability. This study contributes valuable insights into the role of dietary interventions in obesity management, with implications for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.