Journal of Obesity & Weight Loss Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

Intrauterine and early life environments contribute to adult metabolic phenotype. Use of medicinal plants like Hypoxis hemerocallidea during pregnancy is common. This raises the question of whether phytochemicals in medicinal plants may contribute to metabolic intrauterine-programming effects on the offspring that may determine adult metabolic phenotype. Three gestational treatment groups (n=6 rats per group): Control group (distilled water) and two H. hemerocallidea treated groups (150 and 300 mg/kg body weight) were used for the study. Pups were weighed at birth and weekly until 28 days postpartum. OGTT was performed and area under the curve determined. Fasted pups (n=8/group) were terminated and serum collected for lipid profiles and antioxidant status. Liver and kidneys were homogenized for determination of total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation and SOD. Pup weights were similar at birth for all treatment groups but after 21 days, H. hemerocallidea exposed pups had higher body weights (P<0.05) compared to controls. H. hemerocallidea exposed rats had better glucose tolerance and kidney antioxidant status (P<0.05) compared to controls with no effect on liver. H. hemerocallidea exposure resulted in decreased total cholesterol and LDL concentration with no effect on HDL. H. hemerocallidea may have protective programming effects to development of diabetes and oxidative stress in pups exposed in utero. Effects after exposure to obesogenic diet will be investigated.

Biography

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