Meryem Berrichi

Effects of Zizyphus lotus L. fruits on obesity Meryem Berrichi

This book is the thesis work of Meryem Berrichi under the supervision of Benammar Chahid El Hocine(Supervisor) and Naim Akhtar khan(Co-supervisor). The aim of this work was to determine whether the fruits of Zizyphus lotus L. modulate markers related to obesity and its metabolic alterations, more particularly inflammation. Zizyphus lotus L. is a Mediterranean plant widely consumed for its beneficial medicinal properties. We evaluated the effects of the fruits of this plant on obesity induced by a hyperfat diet in a mouse animal model. Male C57BL /6J mice received either a standard diet or a hyperfat diet, HFD (30% palm oil, w/v) or HFD containing a Zizyphus lotus L. fruit powder. (10%, w/w) for six weeks, followed by another six-week period of HFD containing an aqueous extract of Zizyphus lot us L. fruit. (1%, w/v). The following assumptions were made for this work: (1) Consumption of Zizyphus lot us L. may prevent weight gain; (2) Consumption of Zizyphus lot us L. may prevent diabetes and liver disease