Abstract:

Objective: To investigate the effect of extract from Medicago sativa L. (MSE) on weight loss in rats with nutritional obesity. Methods: Sixty weaning male rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, including control group, obesity model group, positive control group administered sibutramine and MSE treatment groups at the doses of 1.80, 0.90 g/kg bw and 0.45 g/kg bw. The rats in control group were fed normal diet and those in other groups were fed nutritional diet and administered experimental drugs once a day for 70 consecutive days. All rats were weighed twice a week. Body weight, body fat percentage, Lee’s index, contents of TC and TG in serum and liver, albumin, blood sugar and hemoglobin were determined at the end of experiments. Results: MSE exhibited a significant reduction effect on body weight, fat tissue around testicle and kidney, body fat percentage and Lee’s index. Meanwhile, MSE also resulted in a significant decrease in total cholesterol and an inhibition effect on growth of fat cells around the genitals in obese rats. However, no obvious change of blood sugar, albumin, TG and hemoglobin was observed in obese rats treated with MSE. Conclusion: MSE has a function of weight loss in obese rats without side effects, which is worthy of in-depth development.

Key words: extract from Medicago sativa L., weight loss, rats with nutritional obesity, hypolipidemic effect