Farhana Yasmin Bhatti, Fariha Ahmad Khan, Abdul Mudabbir Rehan, Zoobia Irum, Sadia Chiragh.
Effect of Ajwa date seed powder on visceral fat depots and inflammatory response in high fat fed Sprague Dawley female rats..
J Islamabad Med Dent Coll Jan ;10(4):194-9.

Background: Central obesity a worldwide metabolic and cosmetic problem poses significant health risk. Ajwa date seed has antioxidant property and its high fiber content may prevent fat absorption and reduce fat deposition. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of Ajwa date seed powder on visceral fat depots and inflammatory response in high fat fed Sprague Dawley female rats. Methodology: Thirty-six healthy rats of four weeks age were divided into three groups and followed for 12 weeks. Group A (normal control) received regular diet. Group B (HFD control) received high fat diet, while group C (HFD+Ajwa group) received high fat diet along with 2% Ajwa date seed powder. Body weight was measured weekly. Blood samples were drawn for the estimation of serum IL-6 and leptin levels by ELISA method at 12th week, after which, rats were euthanized; perinephric fat was removed and weighed in grams. Results: HFD+Ajwa group gained less body weight as compared to HFD control group (p value = 0.012). There was a remarkable reduction in perinephric fat weight (p value ≤ 0.001) and level of IL-6 in HFD+Ajwa group (p value ≤ 0.001) as compared to HFD control. There was no significant difference in serum leptin level of the rats of all groups (p value = 0.567). Conclusion: Ajwa date seed can prevent visceral adiposity and gain in body weight. Moreover, it has anti-inflammatory effect; but no significant effect on satiety hormone.

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