Modulation of adiposity and adipocyte inflammation by methanol extracts of Alpinia calcarata leaf in high-fat-diet induced-obese mice: Involvement of COX-2 and PPAR-γ

Obesity is a worldwide problem linked to several lifestyle disorders like diabetes, hypertension, heart failure, dyslipidaemias, asthma, etc. Finding a cure for obesity and its consequences is essential. <i>Alpinia calcarata</i>, a plant from the Zingiberaceae family, has been reported for several medicinal properties. The current study aimed to check out the role of <i>Alpinia calcarata</i> leaf in decreasing adiposity and adipocyte inflammation in high-fat diet-induced obese mice and understand the molecular principles underlying this occurrence. An <i>in-silico</i> test was done with more abounded compounds of <i>Alpinia calcarata</i> with adiposity and inflammatory genes. Moreover, methanol extract of <i>Alpinia calcarata</i> leaves were utilized to confirm the <i>in-silico</i> data <i>in-vivo.</i> High-fat diet induced-obese mice were treated with the extract at 200mg/kg-body weight dose. Body weight, organ weight, fat accumulation, serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride level, and liver function test were monitored as function of obesity. Alteration in the expression of IL-6, COX-2, MCP-1, PPARγ, TNFα, and GLUT-4 at transcript level were also studied. Our <i>in-vivo</i> results indicated that the plant extracts significantly (p < 0.05) decreased weight and accumulation of abdominal fat which was followed by a considerable reduction in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels. In agreement with the <i>in-silico</i> data, the extract was capable to reduce the mRNA expression of IL-6, COX-2, MCP-1, PPARγ, TNFα, and GLUT-4 which were consistent with the biochemical evidence; demonstrating the extract's capacity to attenuate adiposity and adipocyte inflammation. Taking it all together, it is noteworthy to report this novel function of <i>A. calcarata</i> leaf in reducing adiposity and adipocyte inflammation.