Anti-Obesity Activity of Ethanol Extract of Saccharum spontaneum

Sreedevi Adikay*, Sumalatha Jorepalli, Prasanthi Doppalapudi
Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam, Tirupati-517502, A.P, India

A B S T R A C T
Obesity is of public health concern because of its association with medical complications that lead to increased morbidity and mortality. From time immemorial, traditional medicinal plants had gained importance in modulating obesity. The present study was designed to investigate the anti-obesity effect of ethanol extract of Saccharum spontaneum. Anti-obesity effect was investigated in male Wistar strain albino rats. Anti-obesity activity of ethanol extract of Saccharum spontaneum was evaluated at 200 and 400 mg/kg bd. wt. (p.o.). Animals were divided into five groups of six animals each. Group I animals received 1% gum acacia and served as normal control. Group II animals received only high fat diet for 40 days and served as negative control. Group III and IV animals received high fat diet for 40 days and treated with lower and higher doses of ethanol extract respectively from day 31 to day 40. Group V animals received high fat diet for 40 days and treated with Orlistat (standard) from day 31 to day 40. Anti-obesity activity was determined by assessing the body weight gain, food intake, lipid levels, glucose levels and organ weights in normal and obese rats. High fat diet induced obesity was characterized by increased food intake, body weight, organ weight increased lipid and glucose levels. Concurrent administration of ethanol extract reversed all the effects induced by high fat diet in dose dependent manner. The results of this study demonstrated that Saccharum spontaneum whole plant extract exerted significant anti- obese activity in rats fed with high fat diet. 
Keywords: High Fat Diet, Obesity, Saccharum spontaneum