Inhibitory effects of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) flower-water extracts on lipase activity and diet-induced obesity

Abstract

Litchi flower–water extract (LFWE) contains plenty of phenolic acids, flavonoids, condensed tannins, anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins. In this study, we used eight male rats per group that were assigned randomly to one of the following dietary group: (1) normal-caloric diet and distilled water; (2) hypercaloric diet (HCD) and distilled water; (3) HCD and 2.5% LFWE; (4) HCD and 5% LFWE for 10 weeks. As results, LFWEs demonstrated a suppressive (p < 0.05) effect on in vitro lipase activities; meanwhile, larger sizes of livers, perirenal and epididymal adipose tissues, and cell sizes of epididymal adipose tissues in hypercaloric-diet-fed group were decreased (p < 0.05) by drinking LFWEs, especially in 5% LFWE-treated groups. Increased (p < 0.05) serum cholesterol and liver lipid levels were measured in hypercaloric-diet-fed rats. However, drinking LFWEs also decreased (p < 0.05) those levels to that similar to the NCD group, whereas drinking LFWEs resulted in higher (p < 0.05) faecal lipid concentrations. It also corresponded to the liver TNF-α and IL-1β values which were ameliorated (p < 0.05) in hypercaloric-diet-fed rats with LFWEs. Therefore, the result of this investigation match the anticipation, which LFWE indeed possesses a potential nutraceuticals for anti-obesity effects.

Keywords

• Anti-obesity
• Adipose tissue size
• Hypercaloric diet
• In vitro lipase activity
• Litchi flower–water extract
• Polyphenol