Cranberry Extract; as a Promising Functional Food to Regulate SREBP1/PPAR–α/CPT-1/ACO Signaling Pathways in HFD-Induced Obesity in Rats

Abstract

The correlation between obesity and metabolic disorders like Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and several types of cancer has made obesity a challenge for world health. The current study's objective was to assess the antioxidant capacity of cranberry extract in high-fat diet-induced obesity. For eight weeks, 36 white albino rats weighing 197±10 g were selected at random to five groups: Group I was administered a regular diet; Group II was fed a high-fat diet; Group III was given a high-fat diet plus cranberry extract (75 mg/kg); Group IV was fed a highfat diet with cranberry extract (150 mg/kg); and Group V was fed a high-fat diet plus metformin (500 mg/kg). The lipid profile was determined using blood samples, and liver tissue samples were used to determine glucose, insulin, leptin, TC, TG, HDL-C, ALT, AST, MDA, TNF-α, PCO. The HFD administrated rats resulted in increased total body weight, glucose, insulin, leptin, cholesterol, triglycerides, MDA, ALT, AST, TNFα and PCO levels, as well as SREBP1 gene expression, according to the findings. However, our findings revealed a significant reduction in HDL-C, GSH, CAT and PON 1 enzyme levels, the expression of the PPARα, CPT I and ACO gene in HFD treated rats. Also, administration of cranberry extract and metformin significantly normalized body weight, blood glucose, insulin, leptin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-C, TBARS, GSH, CAT, ALT, AST, TNF-and PCO and PON 1 as well as SREBP1, PPARα, CPT I and ACO levels. The biochemical and PCR results are supported by electrophoretic patterns and histological evidence. Conclusions: The findings imply that cranberry extract could be used as a new pharmaceutical drug in the treatment of obesity.