Polyphenols from Moringa Oleifera and Mulberry Exhibit Anti-Obesity and Anti-Hyperlipidemic Effects in Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet

This study investigated the effects of Moringa oleifera leaf, mulberry fruit, and mulberry leaf on high-fat diet-induced changes in body weight and hyperlipidemia in rats. Healthy male rats were randomly divided into five equal-sized groups that included (i) basal diet or negative control group, (ii) high-fat diet group (basal diet + 20% fat), (iii) M. oleifera leaf-treated high-fat diet group (high-fat diet + 10% M. oleifera leaf), (iv) mulberry fruit-treated high-fat diet group (high-fat diet + 10% mulberry fruit), and (v) mulberry leaf-treated high-fat diet group (high-fat diet + 10% mulberry leaf). The rats were treated daily for 6 weeks, and body weight data and blood samples were collected for each group. At the end of the study period, body weight, total cholesterol, total triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein level, and glucose level were significantly reduced in the rats fed a high-fat diet supplemented with M. oleifera leaf, mulberry fruit, or mulberry leaf. Moreover, serum high-density lipoprotein was significantly elevated in the rats on a high-fat diet receiving M. oleifera leaf or mulberry fruit. The antiobesity and antihyperlipidemic effects of M. oleifera leaf, mulberry fruit, and mulberry leaf provide support for the use of Moringa and mulberry as potential functional food ingredients for the prevention of obesity and hyperlipidemia.