European Journal of Medicinal Plants

Aims: Obesity is a non-communicable disease whose prevalence continues to increase every year throughout the world. Obesity contributes to the emergence of several diseases such as type-2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, cancer, and non-alcoholic fatty liver. A number of studies report that natural ingredients have the potential to be used as a treatment for obesity while reducing a fatty liver. The aim of this research is to evaluate the activity of red spinach ethanol extract in reducing the accumulation of fatty liver in diet-induced obese zebrafish based on its histopathological profile.

Methodology: Zebrafish must be adapted for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, the zebrafish were divided into 6 groups which included:  the normal group (or negative control); the obesity group (positive control group); the standard drug (orlistat with dose 4.5 µg/ml); the EERS group (dose of 50 µg/ml); the EERS group (dose of 100 µg/ml); and the EERS group (dose of 200 µg/ml). For a period of 4 weeks, the normal group received a standard diet. A positive control group received Artemia. The treated group received Artemia which was combined with the administration of red spinach (preventive method). The obese group and extract-treated group were given 60 mg/group/fish in the experimental diet.

Results: The results showed that EERS at a dose of 100 µg/ml did not show any fatty liver based on their histopathological profile. The EERS dose of 200 µg/ml is more effective in reducing fatty liver when compared to doses of 50 µg/ml and 100 µg/ml on obese zebrafish.

Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that EERS is very prospective for further research and development as a drug for treating obesity and reducing fatty liver.