Find in Library

This study aims to explore the effects of <i>Garcinia mangostana</i> (mangosteen) and <i>Curcuma longa</i> independently and synergistically in modulating induced inflammation and impaired brain neurotransmitters commonly observed in high-fat diet-induced obesity in rodent models. Male albino Wistar rats were divided into four experimental groups. Group I, control, obese, fed on a high-fat diet (HFD), and Group II-IV, fed on HFD then given mangosteen extract (400 mg/kg/day) and/or <i>Curcuma</i> (80 mg/kg/day), or a mixture of both for 6 weeks. Plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines, leptin, and brain serotonin, dopamine, and glutamate were measured in the five studied groups. <i>G. mangostana</i> and <i>Curcuma longa</i> extracts demonstrate antioxidant and DPPH radical scavenging activities. Both induced a significant reduction in the weight gained, concomitant with a non-significant decrease in the BMI (from 0.86 to 0.81 g/cm²). <i>Curcuma</i> either alone or in combination with MPE was more effective. Both extracts demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects and induced a significant reduction in levels of both IL-6 and IL-12. The lowest leptin level was achieved in the synergistically treated group, compared to independent treatments. Brain dopamine was the most affected variable, with significantly lower levels recorded in the <i>Curcuma</i> and synergistically treated groups than in the control group. Glutamate and serotonin levels were not affected significantly. The present study demonstrated that mangosteen pericarp extract (MPE) and <i>Curcuma</i> were independently and in combination effective in treating obesity-induced inflammation and demonstrating neuroprotective properties.