Objectives To determine the efficacy of Corchorus olitorius (C. olitorius) leaf extract in the prevention of metabolic syndrome induced in rats by high-fat diet (HFD) and compare it with that of orlistat.
Methods Phytochemical analysis was performed. Effect of orlistat and C. olitorius extract on lipase activity and acute food intake were investigated. Body weight, biochemical parameters and histopathological examination were demonstrated.
Key findings Corchorus olitorius extract inhibited the pancreatic lipase activity, but orlistat was more potent. Cumulative food intake has not changed by the tested agents. In obese rats, C. olitorius or orlistat significantly decreased weight gain and visceral white adipose tissue. They exhibited a significant reduction in
serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, free fatty acids, IL-1b, tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF-a), insulin and leptin levels of obese rat groups while high density lipoprotein cholesterol and adiponectin levels were significantly increased by them. Histopathological examination of the liver revealed that C. olitorius was more effective than orlistat in the alleviating of steatosis and adipocyte hypertrophy shown in obese control rats.
Conclusions Corchorus olitorius is effective as orlistat in preventing obesity, hyperlipidaemia, steatosis and insulin resistance. These actions may be mediated by inhibiting of lipase activity, TNF-a, IL-1b and leptin resistance along with
increasing of adiponectin

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with accelerated cognitive decline. To date, there is no T2D-specific treatment to prevent or ameliorate cognitive dysfunction. Boswellia serrate (BS) gum has been shown to possess multiple pharmacological actions including anti-inflammatory, anticancer and ant- apoptotic actions. The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of BS on cognitive impairment associated with T2D induced in rats by high fat/high fructose (HF/HFr) diet with a single injection of streptozotocin (STZ) and to explore the mechanism of action. The effect of 3 doses of BS extract and the reference drug on the behavioral, biochemical, histopathological and glutamate gene expression abnormalities in T2D rates was evaluated. HF/HFr diet/ STZ induces learning and memory deficits, which were reversed by BS extract. It showed a significant decrease in Aβ deposits and p-tau positive cells. BS extract also reduced significantly the hippocampal elevated levels of caspase- 3, cholinesterase (ChE), GSK-3β, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and MDA. Moreover, BS extract enhanced significantly the suppressed hippocampal level of GSH, SOD and glutamate receptor expression (GluR, NR1, NR2 A, and NR2B). In addition, BS extract alleviated insulin resistance and hyperlipidemia of T2D rats. Our findings suggest that BS extract reversed learning and memory impairment in HF/ HFr diet / STZ induced diabetic rats. This effect may be attributed to the inhibition of insulin resistance, pro-inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress and hyperlipidemia