Cuminum cyminum L. fruits distillate ameliorates the high fat diet-induced obesity

Introduction: Cuminum cyminum L. (Fam. Apiaceae) is a widely consumed spice. It is a rich sources of essential oils and has been actively researched for its chemical composition and biological activities. Aims: The study aimed to investigate the antiobesity effects of Cuminum cyminum L. distillates (CD) in high-fat-diet-induced obese rats. Methods: Twenty four male rats were randomly assigned to one of four groups: normal diet (ND), high fat diet (HFD), HFD + CD and HFD + orlistat. The CD was administered orally 7.75 ml/kg/twice a day for 4 weeks. Results: The CDtreated group significantly (p < 0.001) decreased the body weight gain, fat-pad weights, serum and hepatic lipids levels, insulin, glucose, leptin and pancreatic lipase activity in HFD-induced obese rats. The histological analysis revealed that the CD-treated group showed a remarkable reduction of macro vesicular steatosis in hepatic tissues and a significantly decreased number of lipid droplets and size of adipocytes compared to the HFD group. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that CD treatment has a protective effect against a high-fat-diet-induced obesity in rats through the decreased activity in lipogenesis, as well as the increase in fatty acid oxidation and reduced intestinal absorption of dietary fat.