Anti-obesity Effect of Ocimum gratissimum leaf Powder Supplementation on High Fat Diet-induced Obesity in Male Wistar Rats

Obesity has been long known as a medical problem that needs to be tackled effectively and efficiently. Obesity raises the chance of acquiring several illnesses, including type 2 diabetes, heart attack, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and stroke. This research sought to ascertain the anti-obesity effects of Ocimum gratissimum leaf powder supplementation on obesity induced by high fat diet (HDF)in male Wistar rats. Twenty-four male Wistar rats (120 ± 20g) were housed in cages with 6 rats in each cage. Rats were maintained at room temperature during a two-week acclimatization period. Obesity was induced by feeding Groups 2, 3, and 4 with HFD for twelve weeks, while group 1 was fed a normal pellet diet (NPD). After that, the normal control group represented by Group 1 and obese control group by Group 2 were not treated. However, Groups 3 and 4 received HFD supplemented with 10% and 20% of the leaves powdered from Ocimum gratissimum respectively for 4 weeks. Feed intake, body weight, adiposity index, total fat mass, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were all considerably decreased (p <0.05) by the plant, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were increased (p < 0.05) when compared to the HFD obese control. The O. gratissimum leaves contained moderate amounts of some nutrients (magnesium, iron, zinc, and copper) and it decreased the number and size of fat deposit on rat liver. The study indicated that Ocimum gratissimum leaves have the potential to reduce body weight and feed intake in animals thus suggesting potent anti-obesity properties.