Reduction of obesity and hepatic adiposity in high-fat diet-induced rats by besunyen slimming tea

OBJECTIVE: Obesity is a significant risk factor for metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disorders. As a well-known Chinese tea product, Besunyen Slimming Tea (BST) is believed to effectively reduce body weight (BW) and lipid profile. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the mechanisms and effects of BST on treating obesity and hepatic steatosis using a rat model fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to random separation into three categories: Animals were fed (1) a normal diet food (ND); (2) HFD, and (3) HFD [Formula: see text] BST (n = 12/category). After successfully establishing the obesity model at week 8, the HFD [Formula: see text] BST received BST (0.6 g/0.6 kg) orally, and the ND and HFD received the same amount (2 ml) of distilled water orally. RESULTS: HFD [Formula: see text] BST reduced waist circumference (7.84%, P [Formula: see text] 0.015), food intake (14.66%, P [Formula: see text] 0.011), final BW (12.73%, P [Formula: see text] 0.010), BW gain (964.16%, P [Formula: see text] 0.001), and body mass index (8.97%, P [Formula: see text] 0.044) compared with the HFD. BST supplementation also decreased hyperlipidemia, inflammation, and insulin resistance in rats with HFD. Furthermore, BST suppressed hepatic lipidosis by decreasing de novo lipogenesis and increasing fatty acid oxidation. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study offer evidence supporting the potential health benefits of BST in the management of metabolic disorders and obesity.