Antiobesity and Hypolipidemic Activity of Macrotyloma Uniflorum in Albino Rats

Background Obesity is one of the major health problem and has become a pandemic. It affects all population and age groups worldwide resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Treatment of obesity is difficult and challenging because of multiple and obscure aetiology. Macrotyloma uniflorum commonly called as horse gram has been used time immemorial by natives as a food supplement and for obesity. This study was done to evaluate the anti-obesity and hypolipidemic activity of Macrotyloma uniflorum in comparison with Orlistat. Study design Obesity was induced by feeding high fat diet (HFD) to male albino rats and were assigned into four groups. A control group on HFD alone, standard group on HFD and orlistat 10mg/kg, test group 1 & 2 on HFD with 100mg, 200mg /kg horse gram extract respectively. Body weight was measured weekly. Lipid profile was measured before treatment and 4 weeks later. Locomotor activity and food intake were also observed. Results Body weight & lipid profile were reduced significantly when compared with HFD control group. Conclusion The result of the present study shows that Macrotyloma uniflorum extract had significant anti-obesity and hypolipidemic activity, and may be used safely in weight management. Further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism of its anti-obesity activity.