Effect of plantago maxima extract on intensity of free radical oxidation in animals with alimentary obesity

Aim. To study the effect of the Plantago maxima extract on the level of markers of free radical oxidation in the organism of laboratory animals with alimentary obesity.

Methods. 32 female Wistar rats were evenly divided into four groups. Animals of the first and second groups were kept in standard and high-fat diet and served as controls, respectively. Animals of the third and fourth groups received as drinking water extract of plantain Plantago maxima together with standard and high-fat diet, respectively. The total duration of the experiment was 3 months. After the experiment liver, adipose tissue as well as serum was extracted. Level of thiol compounds, carbonyl compounds, compounds that react with thiobarbituric acid, as well as diene and triene conjugates were determined spectrophotometrically.

Results. It was found that the alimentary obesity associated with increased oxidative stress markers in adipose tissue homogenate. The use of extracts of plantain in high-fat diet group prevented the development of obesity associated with oxidative stress in adipose tissue. At the same time keeping animals on a high-diet was not associated with increased levels of markers of free radical oxidation in the blood serum. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed a statistically significant impact on both the type of diet and the use of the extract on the studied parameters.

Conclusion. The results of the study indicate a protective effect of aqueous extract of plantain in relation to obesity associated with oxidative stress.