Preventive Effect of Mandarin Peel on Dyslipidemia and Hyperglycemia Associated with Obesity Induced by Cafeteria Diet

Obesity is an emerging health problem, characterized by dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and cardiovascular risk. Mandarin (citrus reticulata) peel (MP) is used in traditional chinese medicine. Its bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, vitamins, and carotenoids, may help prevent obesity. In this study, we evaluated the effects of MP from western Algeria on obesity and related metabolic parameters in mice. Forty mice were divided into five groups of eight, and were fed different diets for eleven weeks : standard diet, cafeteria diet, cafeteria diet supplemented with 5% and 10% MP powder, cafeteria diet supplemented with MP infusion [5g MP/250ml water] administered orally ad libitum. Body weight was regularly monitored. At the end of 11 weeks, Blood was collected for lipid and glycemic analyses, and the mice were subsequently euthanized. Histological sections of adipose tissue and liver were performed, and hepatic triglycerides were measured. Our results showed that a cafeteria diet supplemented with 5% or 10% MP powder or infusion significantly (P < 0.05) reduced body, liver, and adipose tissue weights compared to the cafeteria diet alone. The supplementation with 5% and 10% MP powder significantly (P < 0.05) reduced plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein and glycemia, and increased high-density lipoprotein (HDL) compared to the cafeteria group without supplementation. The MP infusion significantly (P < 0.05) reduced triglyceride and increased HDL. Both MP powder and infusion reduced adipocyte hypertrophy and prevented hepatic triglyceride accumulation. These results suggest that MP may help prevent obesity and related metabolic disorders, serving as a phytotherapeutic agent.