Comparative Effect of Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) and Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) on Body Weight and Nutritional Status in Obese Experimental Animals.

Background: Obesity is a serious health concern associated with many diseases. Studies have found that medicinal herbs have potential leads to treatment. Therefore, clove and cardamom extracts are known to have a positive effect on obesity management and reducing obesity-related risks. Aims: This study aimed to compare the effect of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) and clove (Syzygium aromaticum) on the body weight and nutritional status of obese experimental animals. Methods: Twenty male Sprague-Dawley albino rats were divided into four groups (five rats each) as follows; The first was the negative control group, the second was the positive control group (obese rats), the third group was obese with oral administration of 1 mg/kg b.wt. of cardamom alcoholic extract, and the fourth group was obese with oral administration of 1 mg/kg b.wt. of clove alcoholic extract. At the end of the experiment (28 days), rats were mercy sacrificed; the body weight gain, food intake, and feed efficiency ratio were measured; and TC, TG, HDL, LDL and VLDL were analyzed. Results: Rats treated with cardamom and clove extracts showed a significant decrease in body weight gain compared to the positive control group, with a higher significant reduction in cardamom, in addition, for enhancing nutritional status. Conclusion: Cardamom and clove improve the body weight and nutritional status, as well as improve food intake and feed efficiency ratio, showing a higher effect of the cardamom extract.