Ethanol Extracts of Eriobotrya japonica (Loquat) Seeds, Leaves, and Fruits Have Anti-obesity and Hypolipidemic Effects in Rats

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a serious public health problem contributing to development of several diseases, including hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension. The plant Eriobotrya japonica (loquat) has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat many ailments and traditional healers used it to reduce weight. Objective: To examine the potential anti-obesity and hypolipidemic effects of ethanol extract of loquat in rats. Materials and Methods: Loquat leaves, fruits, or seeds were extracted with ethanol. About 96 Wistar male rats were fed either a normal rat diet (normal control group; group 1) or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks (obese; groups 2−12). Obese rats were divided into11 groups as follows: (obese control: group 2) (obese positive control which received the hypolipidemic reference drug atorvastatin: group 3). Groups (4−6), (7−9), and (10−12) were given seed, leaf, or fruit extract, respectively, at 40,100, and 400 mg/kg. Body weight, serum glucose, lipid profile, creatinine, liver enzymes, albumin, and total protein were measured weekly. Results: HFD consumption significantly increased body weight and serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very-low density lipoprotein (VLDL), and glucose and decreased HDL compared to rats fed the normal diet. HFD also increased serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and creatinine but decreased serum albumin and total protein. Administration of E. japonica seed, leaf, or fruit extract significantly decreased body weight, TC, TGs, LDL, VLDL, glucose, liver, and renal enzymes but increased HDL, albumin, and total protein levels. Conclusion: E. japonica seed, leaf, and fruit ethanol extract regulates body weight gain, has hypolipidemic properties, and positively affects liver and kidney enzymes.

Polyphenol-rich extract from loquat fruit peel prevents hyperlipidemia and hepato-nephrotoxicity in mice: in vivo study and in silico prediction of possible mechanisms involving identified polyphenols and/or their circulating metabolites

“…[59][60][61] As previously hypothesized, the protective effect of the peel extract could be due to the presence of phenolic compounds, which are known especially for their hypolipidemic, anti-oxidant and hepatoprotective activities. 2,15,16 Thus, after HPLC analysis, we realized that the studied extract contained five major phenolic compounds, namely, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid and quercetin. Furthermore, it appears that neochlorogenic acid is the most prevalent phenolic component, which is known in the literature for its interesting pharmacological activities.…”

“…44 Our findings align with previous reports demonstrating that the ingestion of E. japonica seed, leaf, and fruit extracts resulted in a significant reduction in serum cholesterol levels. 13,15 On the other hand, the atherogenic index is now well regarded as a significant predictor of the development of atherosclerosis. 45 So, it was revealed that the peel extract suppressed the elevated values of the atherogenic index and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio, offering strong evidence for the anti-atherogenic properties of such an extract.…”

“…12 To date, several scientific studies have investigated the biological properties of various parts of the loquat plant, including its antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, anti-obesity, hepatoprotective and antioxidant effects in different animal models. 11,[13][14][15][16] However, the protective effect of fruit peel against tyloxapol-induced hyperlipidemia and liver and kidney toxicity has not yet been studied.…”