Dose‐Dependent Anti‐Obesity and Protective Effects of Chia ( Salvia hispanica L.) Seed Oil Against Hematological and Hepatorenal Dysfunction in High‐Fat Diet–Fed Mice

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ABSTRACT Chia seeds ( Salvia hispanica L.) are recognized as a functional food with a nutrient‐dense profile and health‐promoting properties. In the present study, hexane‐extracted chia seed oil was investigated for anti‐obesity, hematoprotective, and hepatorenoprotective potentials in high‐fat diet (HFD)‐induced obese mice. The mice were fed a 15% butter‐fortified HFD to induce obesity, followed by supplementation with three chia seed oil (CSO) doses (200, 400, and 600 mg/kg body weight/day) through custom‐formulated feed. For statistical comparison, three control groups were maintained: normal control, HFD control, and chia control (600 mg/kg). CSO supplementation significantly reduced body mass gain, food efficiency ratio, and visceral fat accumulation. Restoration of hematological parameters occurred in the CSO‐treated groups, with increased RBC, PLT, and LYM counts and elevated Hb, HCT, and PCT levels. Elevated WBC counts and altered RBC and PLT indices (MCV, MCH, RDW‐CV, RDW‐SD, MPV, PDW) were also restored toward normal levels following CSO treatment. An improvement in lipid profiles (TG, TC, LDL‐C, HDL‐C) was observed in the CSO‐treated groups. Furthermore, hepatic (ALT, AST, TBIL, ALP) and renal (SCr, BUN) biomarkers were significantly attenuated following CSO supplementation, approaching physiological levels. Histological evaluation of liver and kidney tissues confirmed restoration of HFD‐induced structural impairments. Nonsignificant variation was found between the normal control and chia control groups for most parameters. The calculated CSO doses correspond to human‐equivalent intake, highlighting their translational relevance. These findings suggest dose‐responsive anti‐obesity effects of CSO, along with protective effects against obesity‐associated hematological disturbances and hepatorenal dysfunction.