Protective effects of Cyathula prostrata leaf extract on olanzapine-induced obese rats

Olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic drug often induces excessive weight resulting in obesity. The adverse effect hinder adherence to drug regimens and therefore relapse into psychosis. Traditionally in Nigeria, leaf broth from Cyathula prostrata leaf is consumed to achieve weight loss. Rats were first administered 50-200 mg/kg bw CPLE and orlistat (5 mg/kg bw), used as reference. Rats were then administered 8 mg/kg bw of olanzapine one hour after the administration of the CPLE and orlistat, all the administration were done for 28 days. Those with body mass index (BMI) ˃ 0.5 g/cm2 were considered obese. The influence of the extract at varying doses on BMI, lipid profiles, oxidative and enzyme markers in the heart and liver of the obese rats were evaluated. Anthropometric data showed that CPLE significantly (p < 0.05) induced weight loss and attenuated BMI increase when compared to untreated olanzapine-induced obese rats. Biochemical analyses also revealed reduction in the serum level of LDL-c, total cholesterol, triglycerides, lipase and creatine kinase activities in CPLE-treated groups. Concentration of malondialdehyde was decreased, while the activities of antioxidant enzymes as well as that of alkaline phosphatase, alanine and aspartate aminotransferase were increased following administration of CPLE to the obese rats. Findings from this study supported the indigenous use of extracts from C. prostrata leaf in the management of obesity. The study concluded that CPLE can protect against weight gain, obesity, dyslipidaemia, oxidative stress and alteration in the heart and liver function parameters induced by olanzapine co-administration in rats.