Ephedra alata extracts exerts anti-obesity, anti-hyperglycemia, anti-antipyretic and analgesic effects

Abstract

Purpose

This study paper aims to evaluate the Phytochemical Composition, anti-obesity, anti-antipyretic and analgesic effect of Ephedra alata (Ea) extracts.

Design/methodology/approach

Obesity was induced in male Wistar rats through a high-fat/fructose diet (HF/FD). Control rats received a standard diet.

Findings

Results of this study showed that the Ea methanol extract (MEEa) exhibited a prominent selective inhibitory effect against lipase activity (IC50 = 1.29 mg/ml) as compared to water and ethyl acetate extracts (with IC50 = 1.63 and 1.89, respectively). Also, MEEa exert antipyretic and analgesic activities. In high-fat-high-fructose diet rats, the administration of MEEa inhibited lipase activity in the intestine, pancreas and serum by 53%, 40% and 53%, respectively. It was found to significantly decrease body weight by 20% (p = 0.09) and delay the absorption of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and increase HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C). In addition, MEEa efficiently decreased a-amylase activity in the intestine, pancreas and serum by 43%, 26% and 46%, respectively, and blood glucose level by 35% (p = 0.06).

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study demonstrates for the first time that MEEa are efficient in preventing obesity and hyperglycemia, pain and fever.

Citation

Tiss, M., Souiy, Z., Achour, L. and Hamden, K. (2022), "Ephedra alata extracts exerts anti-obesity, anti-hyperglycemia, anti-antipyretic and analgesic effects", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 52 No. 1, pp. 119-128. https://doi.org/10.1108/NFS-03-2021-0086