Evaluation of Anti-obesity Activity of n-hexane and Methanolic Extracts of Cajanus cajan Linn. Seeds Using Enzymatic Methods

Abstract:

Objectives: To evaluate the in-vitro anti-obesity activity of Cajanus cajan Linn. seeds. Materials and Methods: The phytochemical screening and in-vitro studies are performed using pancreatic lipase and α-glucosidase activity using methanolic and n-hexane extract of Cajanus cajan Linn. seeds using different doses (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 μg/mL) at the end the percentage inhibition in pancreatic lipase and α-glucosidase was measured. Results: The results demonstrated clearly that the alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, terpenoids, carbohydrates, and glycosides occurring in a variety of plants have been well-cited as the sources of anti-obesity agents. Cajanus cajan Linn. seeds extracts possess dose-dependent pancreatic lipase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities which might be due to the existence of alkaloids, steroids, saponin, and/or carbohydrates constituents along with their free radical scavenging potential. Hence, n-hexane, and methanolic seed extracts of Cajanus cajan Linn. show good anti-obesity activity. Conclusion: Overall preliminary and in-vitro screening studies reveal the significant anti-obesity potential of Cajanus cajan. Thus, these plants act as an alternative herbal approach for treating anti-obesity effects and its complication.

Keywords: Obesity, Enzymes, Cajanus cajan, Pancreatic lipase, Inhibition.