Saponin-rich extracts reverse obesity and offer protection against obesity-induced inflammation in high-fat diet mice

Background: Obesity is a medical condition that occurs as a result of excess body fat which increases the risk of several metabolic disorders. Non-availability of efficient classical treatment for obesity has led to propose alternative treatment using plant material. Aim: To investigated the effect of saponin-rich extract of Lindackeria dentata (SLD) on obesity and some specific genes involved in inflammation and insulin resistance in the high-fat diet (HFD) on mice. Setting: The plant leaves were collected from farmland in Igede Ekiti, South-western Nigeria and authenticated at a herbarium unit of the Department of Plant Science and Biotechnology, Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. Methods: Saponin-rich extracts from Lindackeria dentata leaves were extracted using standard procedures, HFD was given to some selected mice for 12 weeks whilst monitoring blood glucose and body weight (bw) of the mice. Obese mice were treated orally with SLD 25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg bw for 3 weeks, sacrificed, organs were collected and some biochemical assays were performed. Expression of some genes and histopathological study of the pancreas were also carried out using a standard scientific protocol. Results: Saponin-rich extract of Lindackeria dentata treatment significantly reduced ( p < 0.05) bw and adipose fat deposit, and caused partial restoration of pancreatic islet expansion (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) coupled with accentuated regulation of leptin, insulin and IL-10 gene (25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) when compared with control groups. Conclusion: The present data clearly showed that SLD could be a good intervention in the treatment of obesity and its attendant metabolic disorders.