Oral administration of Nitraria retusa ethanolic extract enhances hepatic lipid metabolism in db/db mice model ‘BKS.Cg-Dock7m+/+ Leprdb/J’ through the modulation of lipogenesis–lipolysis balance

• Reduce the risk of metabolic disorder (diabetes) related to obesity through weight management.
• Test the efficiency of Nitraria retusa extract on db/db mice.
• Test the safety of oral administration of 50 mg/kg BW of Nitraria retusa extract.
• Regulation of body weight gain and lipid accumulation through modulation of genes expression related to lipid metabolism.

The medicinal plants can be used in the prevention or treatment of many diseases. Several studies concerning the potential of bioactive components in plants and food products and their link to obesity and related metabolic disorders, have been gaining big interest. Diabetes is a serious metabolic syndrome. Searching for alternative natural bioactive molecules is considered main strategy to manage diabetes through weight management. In the present study, an edible halophyte Nitraria retusa was selected and in vivo experiment was conducted using db/db model mice. We orally administrated its ethanol extract (NRE) to BKS.Cg-Dock7m+/+ Leprdb/J mice model for a period of 4 weeks. The effect was evaluated on the body weight and adiposity changes and on the biochemical parameters of db/db NRE-treated mice. The molecular mechanism underlying the anti-obesity effect was investigated by testing the gene expression related to hepatic lipid metabolism. NRE was found to significantly supress increases in body and fat mass weight, decreases triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol levels and enhances gene expression related to lipid homeostasis in liver showing anti-obesity actions. Our findings, indicate that NRE possesses potential anti-obesity effects in BKS.Cg-Dock7m+/+ Leprdb/J model mice and may relieve obesity-related symptoms including hyperlipidemia through modulating the lipolysis–lipogenesis balance.