The beneficial effects of aged black garlic extract on obesity and hyperlipidemia in rats fed a high-fat diet

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of aged black garlic (ABG) extract in alleviating obesity and hyperlipidemia, and regulating antioxidant properties in rats fed high-fat diet. Six-week old male Sprague-Dawley rats were separately fed for 5 weeks with two types of diets; a normal diet (ND) or high-fat diet (HD). Then rats fed HD were randomly assigned into 5 groups and fed with one of the followings: a carrier (control), ABG extract (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight) or simvastatin (1 mg/kg body weight) for another 5 weeks. The body and fat-pad weight, lipid parameter, antioxidant enzyme activity and lipid peroxidation (LPO) in serum and hepatic was investigated. ABG extract significantly lowered body and adipose tissue weight relative to the control. ABG extract significantly improved lipid profile by decreasing serum triglyceride and hepatic total cholesterol compared with the control. ABG extract-treated groups were also observed significant increases glutathione (GSH):oxidized GSH ratio in serum and hepatic compared with the control and near to the level of the normal. Consumption of ABG extract significantly decreased serum LPO level relative to the control. Based on these results, we suggest that the administration of ABG extract improves the body weight gain and dyslipidemia through the suppression of body fat and alteration in lipid profiles and antioxidant defense system.