Moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaves aqueous extract enhances fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 gene expression and serum irisin liberation in an obesity model

Abstract

Background Obesity, a risk agent for many chronic diseases, leads to increased mortality and poses one of the major public health problems. Objective This study aimed to investigate the thermogenic and antiobese efficiency of Moringa aqueous extract (MAE) on obese-modeled rats. Materials and methods Adult male rats (150-170 g) were randomly divided into four groups, with 10 animals each, as follows: (a) healthy rats served as control, (b) healthy rats administrated with MAE (400 mg/kg/day), (c) obese-modeled rats, and (d) obese-modeled rats treated with MAE. Results After 30 consecutive days of treatment, the obtained results declared that MAE possessed antiobesity, thermogenic, antilipidemic, and antiinflammatory potential. MAE succeeded significantly in reduction of the BMI and serum leptin level coupled with up-regulation of fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 gene mRNA expression and serum irisin level. It clearly increased serum paraoxonase-1 activity and improved lipid profile values. Moreover, it markedly reduced serum tumor necrosis factor a and increased antioxidant activity, which was achieved from the marked improvement in malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione values in cardio-hepatic tissues. These findings were confirmed by the regeneration of the hepatic histopathological structure. Conclusion MAE, as a food supplement, could play a beneficial role in management of obesity and restoring its complications. This could be exhibited through multiple pathways, mainly via upregulation of fibronectin type III domain-containing protein 5 gene expression and production of the soluble myokine 'irisin,' which is responsible for browning of white adipose tissue as well as increment of total body energy expenditure.