Nutritional composition and anti-obesity effects of cereal bar containing Allium fistulosum (welsh onion) extract

The nutritional composition and anti-obesity activities of cereal bars containing Allium fistulosum extract (AFB) in high-fat diet-induced obese mice was determined. AFB is rich in vitamins C, B-2, and B-3, and B-9 with high protein. Oral treatment of AFB in obese mice reduced body weight, lipid accumulation in liver and adipose tissue as well as adipocyte size, compared to the high fat diet control mice. AFB also decreased serum triacylglycerol, glucose, and insulin concentrations, with increased HDL-cholesterol and adiponectin levels. Furthermore, 5% AFB markedly increased mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferators activated receptor-gamma, uncoupling protein-2 as well as beta 3-adrenoreceptor in the visceral adipose tissue. These results demonstrate that the cereal bar with A. fistulosum extract may potentially serve as nutraceutical for improvement of obesity and metabolic disorders. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.