Effect of Anethole on Visceral Obesity and Serum Triglycerides and Cholesterol Levels in Rats on a High-Calorie Diet

Obesity is a disorder of high prevalence and social significance. Anethole is an aromatic compound found in anise and fennel essential oils. It produces antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other beneficial effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of anethole, administered in increasing concentrations, on visceral adiposity and serum lipids in rats on a high-calorie diet (HCD). Fifty male Wistar rats were allocated into 5 groups: control, HCD, HCD+62.5A, HCD+125A, and HCD+250A. The HCD groups received a high-fat high-fructose diet and 10% fructose solution, and the control group received a standard laboratory diet and tap water. The HCD+62.5A, HCD+125A, and HCD+250A groups were treated daily orally with anethole dissolved in sunflower oil in a volume of 3 mL/kg at doses of 62.5 mg/kg, 125 mg/kg, and 250 mg/kg, respectively. The control and HCD groups received the solvent in the same volume and route of administration. The duration of the experiment was 10 weeks. At its end, blood samples were taken for biochemical tests and visceral adipose tissue was weighed. The results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett's post-test with the statistical program GraphPad Prism 5.0. The visceral obesity index was significantly increased (p<0.05) in all groups receiving HCD except for HCD+250A. There was no significant increase in plasma triglycerides and cholesterol in the HCD group compared to the control one. Anethole treatment did not change significantly the triglyceride and cholesterol levels compared to these of the HCD group. Anethole treatment affected beneficially the development of visceral obesity and did not change significantly serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels in rats receiving a high-calorie diet.