Apigenin: a Promising Therapeutic Agent for Combating Obesity and Metabolic Dysfunction in Obese Rats

• Induction of obesity in rats was done using a high-fat diet (HFD) and tap water containing 25% sucrose for a duration of 16 weeks.

• Obese control group exhibited significant increases in body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, dyslipidemia.

• Increase in cardiac injury markers, oxidative stress, altered adipokine levels, and impaired liver and kidney function in obese group were detected.

• Obese control group exhibited elevated levels of leptin and reduced levels of adiponectin, reflecting an imbalance in adipokine signaling.

• Apigenin modulated various signaling pathways involved in lipid metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and adipogenesis, as well as exert protective effects against oxidative stress.

Obesity is a major public health challenge linked to metabolic dysfunction. This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of apigenin, a natural flavonoid, in ameliorating obesity-induced complications in rats. Male Wistar rats were assigned to four groups: normal control, obese control, and obese treated with apigenin at 25 mg/kg or 50 mg/kg. Anthropometric, biochemical, and histological parameters were assessed. Apigenin treatment improved obesity-related outcomes in a dose-dependent manner. The 50 mg/kg dose demonstrated greater reductions in dyslipidemia, oxidative stress, cardiac injury markers, and organ dysfunction, alongside restoration of adipokine balance. Apigenin exerts protective effects against obesity-associated metabolic disturbances, likely via antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic regulatory mechanisms. These findings support its translational potential as a candidate for the management of obesity and related comorbidities.