Effects Of Ethanolic Extract of Aju Mbaise on High-Fat Diet induced Oxidative Stress, Body Weight, and Thyroid Gland histomorphology of Adult Wistar Rats

Abstract

Aju Mbaise is an ethnic Igbo herbal mixture known to contain a mixture of different plant parts. It is most popularly used by women for weight reduction. It contains different phytochemical compounds with antioxidants, antilipidemic, antiviral and antibiotic properties. High-fat diet (HFD) induces lipid peroxidation thus inducing oxidative stress in the body. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of Aju Mbaise on the weight, oxidative stress markers (SOD, MDA, CAT, GPx) and the thyroid gland of albino rats fed with HFD. Thirty (30) adult female albino rats were put into 6 groups of 5 rats each. Group 1 (control group) received normal saline, group 2 was fed HFD for 21 days, then normal saline for 28days, group 3 received HFD for 21days, then  200mg/kg ( low dose +) of Aju Mbaise for 28days, group 4 received HFD for 21days, then 400mg/kg (medium dose) of Aju Mbaise  for 28days, group 5 received HFD for 21days, then 800mg/kg (medium dose) of Aju Mbaise  for 28days. On day 50, blood samples were collected via retroorbital puncture in plain specimen bottles. The rats were then anaesthetized with 50 mg/kg thiopental sodium and aortic perfusion fixation with 4% paraformaldehyde was carried out. The thyroid glands were harvested, fixed in 10% buffered formalin and processed for routine H&E. The oxidative stress markers (SOD, GPx, CAT, and MDA), and body weight were evaluated. The results showed that Aju Mbaise reduces weight in a dose dependent manner. Group 2 (HFD only) showed reduction in SOD, CAT and GPx levels when compared with group 1 (control). SOD and CAT increased in group 6 (HFD + high dose Aju Mbaise) but  GPx decreased. From the results,  Aju Mbaise, at high dose, reduces body fat. The results also show that Aju Mbaise can reduce HFD induced oxidative stress and body weight in wistar rats. The histological evaluation of the thyroid gland showed changes in the follicular cells with graded doses of Aju Mbaise which is an indicator of increased thyroid function due to administration of Aju Mbaise.