Therapeutic potential of Gac fruit aril carotenoid extracts against diet induced obesity and audiogenic gene expression in rat

Mohd Nazri Abdul Rahman and Amin Ismail and Azrina Azlan and Ahmad Fazli Abdul Aziz and Mohd. Hafidz Mohd. Izhar and Nor Hayati Muhammad and Yoshito Ando (2025) Therapeutic potential of Gac fruit aril carotenoid extracts against diet induced obesity and audiogenic gene expression in rat. Journal of Advanced Research in Applied Sciences and Engineering Technology, 56. pp. 206-230. ISSN 2462-1943

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Abstract

Momordica coincidences L. Spreng (Gac) is rich in carotenoids, yet its potential anti-obesity effects remain underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Gac aril carotenoid-rich extract (GACRE) on biochemical markers, adipose tissue characteristics organ histology and the expression of obesity-related genes (PPARγ, C/EBP and UCP1) in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese Sprague Dawley rats. Thirty-two male rats were randomly assigned into four groups: G1 (normal diet, ND), G2 (HFD), G3 (HFD + GACRE 50 mg/kg) and G4 (HFD + GACRE 200 mg/kg) for eight weeks via oral gavage. Although GACRE supplementation did not significantly reduce body weight or adipose tissue mass, rats in the GACRE-200 group exhibited significantly lower levels of aspartate transaminase (AST), triglycerides, creatine kinase and fasting blood glucose (reductions of 32.17%, 22.16% and 31.30%, respectively). Both GACRE-treated groups showed a ~50% reduction in creatinine levels, with no notable changes in amylase, lipase, alanine transaminase (ALT) or bilirubin levels. Histological examination of liver tissues revealed micro-vesicular steatosis and sinusoidal changes in the GACRE-200 group. Gene expression analysis showed elevated PPARγ and UCP1 levels in brown adipose tissue (BAT) compared to white adipose tissue (WAT), correlating with a higher BAT mass and enhanced thermogenic potential. These findings suggest that GACRE at 200 mg/kg exerts modest therapeutic effects against obesity-related metabolic disturbances, primarily mediated through BAT activation and adaptogenic gene modulation.

Item Type: Article
Keyword: Momordica coincidences, Gac fruit, carotenoid-rich extract, diet-induced obesity, adipose tissue, PPARγ, UCP1, C/EBP, brown adipose tissue
Subjects: R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC31-1245 Internal medicine > RC581-951 Specialties of internal medicine > RC620-627 Nutritional diseases. Deficiency diseases
R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology > RM1-950 Therapeutics. Pharmacology > RM214-258 Diet therapy. Dietary cookbooks
Department: FACULTY > Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition
Depositing User: JUNAINE JASNI -
Date Deposited: 11 Nov 2025 11:46
Last Modified: 11 Nov 2025 11:46
URI: https://eprints.ums.edu.my/id/eprint/45683

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