The investigation of effects of herbal exosomes on hepatic lipid metabolism in obese rats

The increase in obesity is unprecedented worldwide. Obesity is associated with many chronic diseases resulting from an imbalance between a strong metabolic syndrome and energy intake and physical activity. Hypertension and obesity are considered significant risk factors in the development of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Extracellular Vesicles are potential biomarkers and therapeutic agents due to their function as an intercellular mediator for cellular communication within the liver and other organs. Many studies examining medicinal plants report that they are beneficial in treating diabetes, obesity, and other chronic diseases. This study aims to update data on potential anti-obesity herbaceous plants and review scientific data, including experimental methodologies that include active ingredients and mechanisms to work against obesity in humans. The present invention relates to a product containing a garlic exosome that used to treat diseases. In this study, obesity formation was observed in rats fed a high-fat diet and the effect of garlic exosome on obesity was also investigated. This work focuses on the data that supports the role of extracellular vesicles in liver pathophysiology and potential roles as targets of new biomarkers for these cases. In the study carried out in the experimental research center, 42 Wistar albino rats were used. After adaptation to laboratory conditions, rats were divided into 6 groups with 7 animals in each group. Groups: Control; Control + Exosome I (400 µg/kg); Control + Exosome II (800 µg/kg); High Fat Diet (HFD); High Fat Diet (HFD) + Exosome I (400 µg/kg); High fat diet (HFD) + exosome II (800 µg/kg) in form. The diet in the groups was prepared to be isocaloric. It was calculated to consist of approximately 12% of the energy in the control group and 42% in the HFD groups. According to the results, body weight increased after using the high-fat diet plus Exosome I&II. Glucose, bilirubin, total protein, albumin, globulin, A/G ratio, liver enzymes, TBIL, MDA levels increased significantly (P<0.05) after a high-fat diet. Levels of AP2, LPL, NFĸB, Nrf2, PPAR-α, SREBP-1c, and TNF-α significantly increased (P < 0.05) after using high-fat diet and Exosome I&II. After using a high-fat diet, large accumulation of lipid droplets and degeneration were observed in hepatocytes. Histological study showed typical structure of liver tissues after using Exosome I&II. In conclusion, this study shows the positive effects of garlic exosome in obesity model in rats fed a high-fat diet.