EVALUATION OF ANTIOBESITY EFFECT OF GYMNEMA SYLVESTRE AND ACORUS CALAMUS ON DIET INDUCED MODEL OF OBESITY IN RATS

Introduction: Obesity is a morbid condition characterized by abnormal or excess deposition of body fat to an extent that it adversely affects health. The basic etiology behind obesity is the disparity between the energy intake and energy expenditure. Lifestyle modifications and drug treatment is the mainstay of treatment. Unfortunately the benefits are for short term that might be because of cessation of drugs use or side effects which ultimately leads to rebound weight gain. Methods: Experiment was conducted on 42 adult healthy female wistar rats weighing around 150-200g, divided into 7 groups with 6 rats in each group. Group 1 given normal chow while others were given High Fat Diet (HFD). From 5^th week till the end of 8^th week group 3 to 7 were given respective drugs (extracts of Gymnema sylvestre and Acorus calamus). Obesity parameters (body weight, BMI, locomotor activity) were recorded on day 0, at the end of 8^th week and at the end of 8^th week. Internal organs (kidney, liver, spleen and heart) and fat pads (perirenal, mesenteric and gonadal) were also removed and weighed. Results: Feeding rats on HFD significantly changed the obesity parameters and lead to development of obesity. Combination of GS and AC significantly reduced body weight, BMI and improved locomotor activity. It also significantly reduced the weight of internal organs and fat pads. Both GS and AC also improved the obesity parameters in a dose dependent manner. Conclusions: Extracts of Gymnema sylvestre and Acorus calamus has a potent antiobesity effect. Combination of both is superior to the individual drugs.