Effect of the Several Herbal Medicines Mixture on BMI and Lipid Profile -The Animal Study

Mozhgan  Mohammadzadeh; Ali  Shamsizadeh; Mohammad Reza  Memarzadeh; Jalal  Hassanshahi; Ayat  Kaeidi; Morteza  Khademalhosseini; Mohammad-Reza  Shafiepour

doi:10.18502/ijdo.v16i4.17286

Mozhgan Mohammadzadeh Physiology-Pharmacology Research Center, Research Institute on Basic Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
Ali Shamsizadeh Physiology-Pharmacology Research Center, Research Institute on Basic Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
Mohammad Reza Memarzadeh Department of Medicinal Plant Research Center of Barij, Kashan, Iran.
Jalal Hassanshahi Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
Ayat Kaeidi Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
Morteza Khademalhosseini Department of Pathology, Medical School, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran
Mohammad-Reza Shafiepour Department of Internal Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Ira

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijdo.v16i4.17286

Keywords: obesity, herbal medicine, complementary therapies, lipid profile, herbs

Abstract

Objective: Obesity involves complex pathological mechanisms. Multi-herbal formulations targeting diverse
pathways may provide synergistic therapeutic benefits. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-obesity effects of
a standardized multi-herbal formulation (GUTAC), consisting of Glycyrrhiza glabra, Urtica dioica, Trigonella
foenum-graecum, Artemisia persica and Camellia sinensis

Materials and Methods: Obesity was induced in male Wistar rats (n= 30) via a high-fat diet (HFD) for
three months. Subsequently, the rats were divided into three groups (n= 10 per group): (1) HFD alone, (2)
HFD with GUTAC, and (3) standard diet (SD) with GUTAC, for an additional three months. Key parameters
such as body mass index (BMI), blood biomarkers, and histopathological changes in the liver and kidney were
evaluated.

Results: BMI was significantly lower in both the HFD+GUTAC and SD+GUTAC groups compared to the
HFD group (P< 0.05). Notably, the SD+GUTAC group exhibited a more pronounced BMI reduction,
indicating that combining GUTAC with a standard diet yields greater benefits than its combination with a
high-fat diet. GUTAC treatment significantly reduced blood glucose levels (P= 0.0013), liver enzyme activity
(AST and ALT), and improved lipid profiles, including total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides,
compared to the HFD group (all P< 0.05). Furthermore, GUTAC enhanced renal function markers (BUN and
creatinine) and mitigated hepatic steatosis, as evidenced by histological analysis.

Conclusion: The standardized multi-herbal GUTAC formulation demonstrated significant anti-obesity,
hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, and renoprotective effects in a rat model. These benefits are likely mediated
by the bioactive compounds’ modulation of lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and inflammatory pathways.
These findings highlight GUTAC's potential as a multi-target therapeutic strategy for obesity, warranting
further exploration in human clinical trials.