Alkaloid Fraction of Alstonia Boonei Stem Bark Demonstrate Antiobesity Potential on High Fat Diet Induced Obesity in Male Sprague-Dawley Rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the anti‐obesity potential of alkaloid fraction of Alstonia boonei stem bark on high fat diet (HFD) induced obesity in male Sprague‐dawley rats. Preparation of neutral alkaloid fraction (NAF) was done through solvent partitioning of the methanol extract of Alstonia boonei stem bark, and NAF was subjected to LCMS‐MS analysis. To induce obesity, rats were fed with HFD (60% fat content) for 12 weeks preceding oral treatment with 125 and 250 mg/kg body weight of NAF for 4 weeks. Experimental procedures involving rats followed the European Community guidelines (EEC Directive of 1986; 86/609/EEC) for animal use. The major compounds found in NAF includes: Ajmalicine, 16‐Methoxy‐2,3‐dihydro‐3‐hydroxytabersonine, Vincamine, Aspidofractine, 3‐Hydroxyquinidine, 16‐Methoxytabersonine, Mitraphylline, 18‐Hydroxyyohimbine and Catharanthine. NAF significantly (p < 0.05) decreased body weight, white adipose tissue, triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol, leptin, insulin and dopamine levels, but increased significantly (p < 0.05) the high density lipoprotein cholesterol, cortisol, serotonin and noradrenaline levels in the treated groups compared to HFD control. However, there were no significant (p > 0.05) changes in food intake, blood glucose, thyroxine, triiodothyronine and thyroid stimulating hormone levels in animals given NAF when compared to HFD control. The photomicrograph of liver of the rats treated with NAF showed slight fat changes unlike that of the HFD obese controls which showed presence of numerous prominent fat deposits on the livers. The findings in this study suggests that the alkaloid fraction of A. boonei possess antiobesity properties as indicated in improved lipid profile, leptin sensitivity, and decreased body weight of animals. This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal .