Authors: Ponum Mirani , Gulafshan , Agha Nadeem Ahmad , Jazib Andleeb , Faiza Mehboob , Naveed Akhter

Abstract

Background and Objective: Obesity is the adverse outcome of modern living which has affected both the physical and mental health. Slim Smart and Ultra Slim Plus are the most frequently purchased over the counter products by desperate obese persons in Pakistan having Garcinia cambogia (GC) as the main active ingredient. This study is conducted to determine the effect of GC containing Slim Smart and Ultra Slim Plus drugs on the morphology of hepatocytes in male albino mice.

Methods: Ninety albino mice were divided into control group A, experimental groups B and C receiving Slim Smart and Ultra Slim Smart respectively. Each group was further divided into subgroup I and II and the drug was administered to experimental groups for 4 and 8 weeks respectively via oral gavage. After the completion of experiment, histological examination of liver was conducted.

Results: Marked enlargement of hepatocytes was observed in experimental groups B and C (both I & II) along with ballooning degeneration and fatty change in the cytoplasm.

Conclusion: Both Slim Smart and Ultra Slim Plus has hepatotoxic effects resulting in increase in hepatocyte size, ballooning degeneration and fatty change in liver cells. 

Keywords: Fatty change, Garcinia cambogia, Hydroxycitric acid, Hepatocytes, Vacuolar degeneration, Weight reducing agents.