IN-VITRO ANTI-OBESITY ASSAY OF ALCOHOLIC AND AQUEOUS EXTRACTS OF CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAVES

Obesity is one of the main public health problems in developed countries. It is considered to be a risk factor associated with the genesis or development of major chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Many botanicals may provide safe, natural, and cost-effective alternatives to synthetic drugs. The results of this study show promise for the potential use of these plant materials as a lipase inhibitor in the treatment of obesity. The present study tested the hypothesis that the selected herbs/extracts can inhibit the enzymatic activity of LPL in vitro. Based on the literature review Camellia sinensis leaves was selected for the present study. Methanolic (MCS) and aqueous (ACS) extracts of Camellia sinensis leaves were prepared by soxhlet and hot reflux extraction methods respectively. These extracts were then examined for their in-vitro lipase inhibitory activity at a concentration level of 0.5, 1 and 2 g/l and their percentage inhibitory effect were reported and statistically analyzed. Results of the in-vitro lipase activity reveals that percentage inhibition of MCS was found to be more than that of ACS at all tested concentration levels. Among the methanolic extracts MCS 2 g/l showed maximum inhibition of pancreatic lipase enzyme i.e. 80%. Hence this extract can be considered as most effective extract for anti-obesity activity.