Beneficial effect of Zingiber officinale on olanzapine-induced weight gain and metabolic changes

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Zingiber officinale (ZO) extract on weight gain, food intake, locomotor activity, and lipid and glucose metabolism in olanzapine-treated rats.

The hydroalcoholic extract of ZO was prepared by macerating the coarse dry powder in 70% v/v ethanol for 7 days, filtered, and concentrated under reduced pressure. Animals were divided into six groups containing six animals in each. Three doses of extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, p.o.) were co-administered with olanzapine 2 mg/kg i.p for 21 days. Bodyweight and food intake were recorded at the interval of three days and locomotor activity once a week. At the end of the study oral glucose tolerance test was performed followed by the estimation of lipid profile.

Co-administration of hydroalcoholic extract of ZO with olanzapine ameliorated olanzapine-induced weight gain and hyperphagia. Similarly, ZO extract also improved pancreatic β-cell function and glucose and lipid metabolism.

ZO extract ameliorated olanzapine-induced weight gain and hyperphagia by improving pancreatic β-cell functions and lipid metabolism.