The Effects of Low Carbohydrate Diet and Salak Pondoh (Salacca edulis Reinw) Peel Extract on BodyWeight, Obesity Index, Visceral Fat Mass and Cholesterol Levels in Male Obese Rats and Dyslipidemia

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is a condition characterized by excessive fat accumulation, and its prevalence continues to rise each year. This condition is associated with changes in cholesterol levels. Obese patients often fail to reduce their body weight (BW) through diet management only. Salak Pondoh peel extract (EPP) contains bioactive compounds with potential anti-obesity effects and the ability to improve hypercholesterolemia.
Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Low Carbohydrate Diet (LCD) and EPP on body weight, obesity index, cholesterol levels, and visceral fat massin male Wistar rats with obesity and dyslipidemia.
Methods: Thirty male Wistar rats were used in this study, which aged five weeks old and weighed 100-150 g. They were randomized and divided into six groups. Rats in negative control (NC), positive control (PC), and treatment groups (T1-3) were induced by feeding ahigh-fat high fructose (HFHFr) for 28 days, whilenormal(N) group received standard food throughout the study. During treatment periods, NC groupreceived an LCDanddistilledwaterwithouttreatment, PC group received an LCD and orlistat, T1-3 were given an LCD combined with 150, 300 and600mg/kgBW/day. The data were analyzed using repeated measures Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), One-Way ANOVA, and Bonferroni post hoc tests.
Results: After 28 days of intervention, we observed that LCD+150 mg/kg BW/day of EPP significantly reduced obesity index (p<0.001) and has the lowest of visceral fat mass compared to other treatment groups, whereas LCD+ 300 mg/kg BW/ day of EPP significantly reduced body weight (p=0.019), and cholesterol levels (p=0.043).
Conclusions: The combination of a low-carbohydrate diet and Salak Pondoh peel extract demonstrates significant potential as a natural alternative therapyfor obesity and dyslipidemia.