ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Cecropia peltata L. (CP) leaves have been used in Latin American traditional medicine by its purported hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. PURPOSE The aim of this study was… Click to show full abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Cecropia peltata L. (CP) leaves have been used in Latin American traditional medicine by its purported hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the metabolic effects of an ethanolic extract of CP leaves in rats fed a high-fat diet and 10% of sugar in water (HFD). METHODS Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: group 1 was fed a control diet; groups 2, 3 and 4 were fed a HFD. In addition, group 3 was co-administered with 10 mg/kg/day of CP extract (HFD + CP) and group 4 with a solution of 5 mg/kg/day metformin (HFD + M) for 90 days. RESULTS Body weight gain and serum triglycerides were significantly decreased in the HFD + CP group compared with the HFD and HFD + M groups. Glucose tolerance increased in the HFD + CP compared with the HFD group. Administration with CP extract reduced adipose tissue lipolysis and lipid accumulation in liver of HFD + CP rats with respect to HFD and HFD + M groups. Histological examinations showed that the area of the adipocytes in WAT and the area of lipid vesicles in BAT were significantly smaller in the HFD + CP group than in the HFD and HFD + M groups. CONCLUSION Administration of a CP extract prevented glucose intolerance and hepatic lipid accumulation in rats fed a HFD in association with reduced adipocyte hypertrophy, demonstrating potential antidiabetic properties.
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