Yousif A. Elhassaneen^1,, Reem A. Boraey¹, Amal Z. Nasef¹

The current study aims to see if eating Ashwagandha roots can help with neurological issues in an obese rat model. This study will also look at the biochemical roles of Ashwagandha roots. Alkaloids were shown to be the most prevalent bioactive chemicals in Ashwagandha roots, followed by triterpenoids, carotene, flavonoids, tannins, total phenolics, and saponins. Furthermore, the hydro-ethanolic extract of Ashwagandha roots demonstrated a wide range of biological properties, including antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity, suppression of low-density lipoprotein, and antibacterial activity. Normal rats fed diet-induced obesity (DIO) (model control) had higher body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), and feed efficiency ratio (FER) than the control group. At the end of the trial (8 weeks), rats in the normal group had BW, FI, and PER values of 0.91%, 13.10 g/day/rat, and 0.076, respectively, whereas these values had grown by rates of 54.95, 23.82, and 21.05% in the model control group. Intervention with Ashwagandha roots (2, 4, 6, and 8 g/100g diet) in feeding rats for 8 weeks resulted in a significantly (p0.05) lower BWG, FI, and FER, improved serum lipid profile parameters, decreased liver functions, improved neurological disorders (dopamine and serotonin content and acetylcholine esterase activity), and positively manipulated obesity-related histopathological changes in brain and adipose tissues. These data support the use of Ashwagandha roots for obesity treatment and prevention. Furthermore, the findings suggest the benefits of dietary changes, such as Ashwagandha root supplementation, in reducing the complications linked with obesity, such as neurological problems.

body weight, organs weight, liver functions, serum lipid profile, acetylcholine esterase, dopamine, serotonin