Protective role of Hsian-tsao ethanol extract against body fat, serum lipid profiles, and hepatic lipid profiles in high-fat diet-fed rats

Ching-Chang Cho ^a,1, Gow-Chin Yen ^b,1, Hsin-Yi Lee ^a, Chun-Tse Tsai ^a, Wei-Tang Chang ^c, Chin-Lin Hsu ^a,d,*

^a Department of Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan

^b Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan

^c Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan

^d Department of Nutrition, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan

This study investigated the preventive effects of a 40% ethanol extract of Hsian-tsao (40EEHT) on obesity in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats. Male Wistar rats were administered 0, 100, 200, or 500 mg/kg of 40EEHT, resulting in reduced body weight, total body fat, and hepatic tissue weight after 8 weeks. 40EEHT also decreased adipocyte size, improved lipid profiles, alleviated oxidative stress, and enhanced hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities. Additionally, it regulated fatty acid metabolism by reducing lipogenesis and increasing lipolysis and β-oxidation, suggesting its potential as an anti-obesity dietary supplement.