Work

Effects of the multicomponent nutraceutical (Reverse®) in Wistar rats with atherogenic obesity induced by saturated fat from Cocos nucifera L.: A preclinical cardiometabolic evaluation

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Obesity is a chronic, multifactorial, and relapsing disease associated with inflammation, oxidative stress, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and increased cardiovascular risk, prompting investigation of safe plant-based nutraceutical formulations containing phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and isoprenoids as complementary strategies to modulate metabolic alterations associated with excess adiposity. This study evaluates the phytochemical profile of the multicomponent nutraceutical Reverse® and its therapeutic effects on male Wistar rats subjected to a short-term dietary challenge model with saturated fat from Cocos nucifera L., which induces acute metabolic stress and dyslipidemia. The formulation was characterized by spectrophotometric determination of total phenols and total flavonoid contents and by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry determination of δ-tocotrienol and geranylgeraniol. The animals were divided into six experimental groups (n = 5/group): negative control (CNE), metformin (MET), Reverse® with Bixa orellana at 300 mg/kg (CBA) and 600 mg/kg (CBB), and Reverse® without B. orellana at 300 mg/kg (SBA) and 600 mg/kg (SBB). We evaluated weight gain, abdominal fat, organ weights, biochemical parameters (lipid profile, alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase), histopathologic findings, and aortic scanning electron microscopy findings. Reverse® presented 22.08–28.72 mg GAE/g of total phenols, 16.53–18.80 mg EQ/g of total flavonoids, 32.0 mg/g of δ-tocotrienol, and 104.0 mg/g of geranylgeraniol. In the treated groups, weight gain, abdominal fat, total and LDL cholesterol levels, and ALT were reduced; triglyceride levels were modulated; and hepatic, cardiac, and vascular histomorphology was preserved compared with CNE. The findings demonstrate that Reverse® has a phytochemical composition consistent with cardiometabolic protective activity and exhibits significant potential as an adjuvant nutraceutical to modulate diet-induced acute metabolic dysfunctions by improving lipid profiles, reducing adiposity, and preserving organ morphology. However, due to limited sample size, further dose–response curve, bioavailability, safety, and clinical validation studies are needed before making therapeutic inferences in humans.

Source: Global Translational Medicine

DOI: 10.36922/gtm026230023