A Novel Functional Food Mix Attenuates Obesity Through Inhibition of Aldose Reductase, Advanced Glycation End-Products

Obesity is a multifactorial metabolic disorder associated with insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and excessive accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). Emerging evidence suggests that aldose reductase (AR), a key enzyme of the polyol pathway, also contributes to obesity-associated metabolic dysfunction. In this study, we evaluated the potential of a functional food mix (FFM) containing Emblica officinalis, Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa, Piper nigrum, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, and Capsicum annuum in specific proportions to prevent obesity by targeting AR inhibition and AGE accumulation. Male WNIN/GR-Ob obese rats were randomised into untreated obese, low-dose FFM (FF1), and high-dose FFM (FF2) groups, while lean littermates served as controls. Animals received the respective experimental diets for 6 months. Body weight, food intake, body composition (DEXA), biochemical parameters, carboxymethyl lysine (CML; a major AGE), and hepatic AR activity were assessed. FFM supplementation significantly attenuated body weight gain by 9 and 22% and reduced total fat mass by 8 and 23% with FF1 and FF2, respectively, with greater efficacy at the higher dose. Both doses lowered circulating leptin (p < 0.05), while FF2 significantly improved insulin sensitivity by reducing plasma insulin and HOMA-IR (p < 0.05). FFM also markedly decreased plasma CML concentrations and hepatic AR activity. Furthermore, treatment increased adiponectin levels, improved hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia, and reduced lipid peroxidation (p < 0.05). Together, these findings suggest that the novel functional food mix exerts potent anti-obesity effects through inhibition of AR, suppression of AGE accumulation, and attenuation of oxidative stress.