Possible Alterations of Changes in Weight, Appetite and Reproductive Biomarkers of Female Wistar Rats Using Blends of Cucumber, Green Tea and Orlistat®Wistar rats
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Abstract
Anti-obesity interventions, including orlistat and plant-derived products such as cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and green tea (Camellia sinensis), promote weight reduction through mechanisms such as inhibition of digestive enzymes, appetite suppression, and reduced fat absorption. Despite their widespread use, information on their physiological and reproductive effects, particularly when administered in combination, remains limited. This study investigated the effects of orlistat (O), cucumber extract (C), green tea extract (G), and their combinations (C+O and G+O) on appetite regulation, body weight, lipid profile, and reproductive hormones in female Wistar rats. Specifically, the study aimed to investigate the effects of administering cucumber extract (C), green tea extract (G), orlistat (O), cucumber-orlistat (C+O), and green tea-orlistat (G+O) on: (i) serum leptin concentration; (ii) feed intake and body weight; (iii) serum cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations; and (iv) reproductive hormones (progesterone and follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH]) and the relationships among treatment, body mass index (BMI), estrogen, leptin, progesterone, and FSH in female Wistar rats. Data were analyzed using R. Cucumber-treated rats exhibited the lowest body weight, feed intake, and serum cholesterol, whereas both cucumber and green tea treatments reduced serum triglyceride concentrations. The highest leptin concentrations were observed in the cucumber and cucumber-orlistat groups, while progesterone was highest in the green tea-orlistat group, estrogen in the orlistat group, and FSH in the cucumber and cucumber-orlistat groups. Statistical analyses revealed that treatment significantly affected leptin concentrations, body weight and feed intake, lipid profile, and reproductive hormones. Furthermore, estrogen, BMI, treatment, and the period of administration significantly explained variation in body weight, leptin, FSH, and progesterone. Principal component analysis showed that body weight was positively associated with serum triglycerides but inversely associated with leptin, while leptin was negatively associated with serum cholesterol and feed intake. Overall, cucumber extract, either alone or in combination with orlistat, showed the greatest potential for improving body weight regulation while enhancing leptin and reproductive hormone concentrations. However, withdrawal of treatment was associated with a marked rebound in body weight, suggesting that the beneficial effects may not be sustained after discontinuation.
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