This study aimed to investigate the effects of Mentha spicata L. (Lamiaceae), which
contains caffeic acid, rosmarinic acid, alpha tocopherol, and eugenol, on hormonal
regulation of energy metabolism in rats. Obesity is a risk factor for various diseases
such as hyperlipidemia, arteriosclerosis, and fatty degeneration in the liver. Furthermore,
it has been aimed to inquire the effect of the Mentha spicata L. whether it is effective
as a liver protective factor in rats fed on high fat diet. In this study, 70 Wistar-Albino
male rats aged 2-3 months were used. The animals were allocated into 7 groups (10
rats in each group): 1 control group and 6 experimental groups, including negative
control; carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC); high-fat diet, positive (HFD); M. spicata
petroleum ether extract (PE); M. spicata ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract; and M. spicata
methanol (MeOH) extract. All experimental groups were given dietary fat and M. spicata
extracts, excluding the control group. The group C rats were fed the standard rat
diet; group CMC high-fat diet (40% beef tallow + 1% cholesterol) + 1 mL 0.5% CMC;
group I-IFD high-fat diet; and groups PE, EtOAc, and MeOH petroleum ether, ethyl acetate,
and methanol extracts of M. spicata, respectively, via gastric gavage for 60 days.
The plasma concentrations of hormones [leptin, ghrelin, adiponectin, insulin, and
thyroid hormones (T-4, FT4, T-3, and FT3)], glucose, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine
aminotransferase, total protein, and lipid profiles (cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein,
high-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides) were monitored. The histopathologic examination
revealed fatty degeneration in the liver tissue and perivascular accumulation of inflammatory
cells in the experimental groups. The PE extract obtained from M. spicata was effective
in maintaining the body weight and protecting against liver degeneration. Further
studies are required to verify this.
