Abstract

Obesity is a major hallmark of metabolic syndrome and is strongly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease progression. Sunflower sprouts are a particularly rich source of caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs), compounds recognized for their capacity to attenuate weight gain and mitigate dyslipidemia. Sunflower sprout extract (SSE) used in this study was enriched in dicaffeoylquinic acids (diCQAs) and chlorogenic acid (5-CQA). To evaluate its effects, male Wistar rats were first induced to develop obesity by receiving a high-fat diet for four months, after which they were given daily oral administration of SSE for an additional 12 weeks. The effects of SSE against HFD-induced obesity were evaluated by examining liver pathology, antioxidant activity, and biochemistry, including lipid profiles and liver and renal functions. Body weight, food intake, biochemistry, and complete blood count (CBC) were monitored for 12 weeks. SSE treatment significantly decreased body weight gain (at 4 and 8 weeks), food intake (at 8 weeks), triglyceride levels (at 4 weeks), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels (at 12 weeks) in HFD rats. Total cholesterol, ALT, ALP, BUN, and uric acid levels in HFD-control and HFD-SSE rats were not significantly affected, while creatinine levels only increased after 8 weeks of SSE treatment in HFD rats. Importantly, SSE treatment significantly increased catalase and NQO1 expression in HFD-fed rat liver. Collectively, these results suggested that diCQA-rich SSE may offer beneficial effects for the management of obesity and associated metabolic disorders.