Evaluation of antiobesity and hepatorenal protective activities of Salvia ofcinalis extracts pre‑treatment in high‑fat diet‑induced obese rats

Abstract

The present study evaluated the efects of Hail Salvia ofcinalis total extract (SOTE) and its high favonoid fraction (SOHFF) on the high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and hepatorenal damage in rats. Salvia ofcinalis plants were collected from Hail region, Saudi Arabia. Rats were fed HFD and supplemented orally with SOTE (250 mg kg−1) or SOHFF (100 mg kg−1) or simvastatin (SVS; 10 mg kg−1) every day for 8 weeks. Compared to the controls, HFD-induced obesity led to signifcant increases in body weight, body weight gained, blood insulin, leptin, cardiac enzymes (LDH and CPK) activity, and athero- genic index (AI). HFD rats also showed higher levels of hepatic and renal function biomarkers (ALT, urea, and creatinine), as well as lower levels of PPARγ and Nrf2-gene expression and a disrupted lipid profle. Moreover, HFD rats had lower levels of hepatic and renal antioxidant biomarkers (CAT, GPx, SOD, GR, and GSH), accompanied by higher levels of hepatic and renal lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), and infammatory mediators (interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)). In addition, histological examination of hepatic and renal tissues revealed histopathological changes that validated the biochemical fndings. Compared to HFD group, SOTE and SOHFF treatment led to marked amelioration of all the aforementioned parameters. Collectively, supplementation with SOTE and SOHFF efectively reversed HFD-induced alterations through its antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and anti-infammatory properties. Hence, SOTE and SOHFF have thera- peutic potential in controlling obesity and related pathologies.