UNREVEAILING THE MULTIFACETED POTENTIAL OF ERIOBOTRYA JAPONICA LEAVES FROM WESTERN ALGERIA: EXPLORING ANTIOXIDANT, ANTI-OBESITY AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROPERTIES

This study deals with the in vitro and in vivo evaluation of the antioxidant, anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory activities of Eriobotrya japonica (EJ) aqueous leaf extract. The obtained results showed that the EJ extract exhibited an important antioxidant capacity based on performing the DPPH assay. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of major phenolic compounds such as gallic acid, chlorogenic acid and quercetin. A six-week treatment with 100 mg EJ extract/kg bw or 30 mg orlistat/kg bw reduced fat cell size and significantly decreased body weight of obese rats by 10.73% and 15.42%, Arespectively. The EJ extract also reduced serum lipid and liver enzyme levels, as well as oxidative stress parameters. Histopathological examination of liver sections supported the biochemical tests. Oral administration of EJ extract was also effective in reducing oedema formation in rats against carrageenan-induced inflammation. These results therefore suggest that EJ aqueous extract may have promising effects in the treatment of obesity and inflammation.