Effects of Ilex latifolia and Camellia sinensis on cholesterol and circulating immune complexes in rats fed with a high-cholesterol diet

Integrated genomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic analyses of Ilex hylonoma provide insights into the triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis

Ilex is known for its rich content of secondary metabolites, particularly triterpenoid saponins. These compounds hold significant value in natural remedies and herbal medicine. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for triterpenoid biosynthesis in plants of this genus remain largely unexplored. In this study, we successfully generated the first chromosome-scale genome of Ilex hylonoma. The assembly, comprising 20 anchored chromosomes, has an N50 contig size of 2.13 Mb and a scaffold size of 33.68 Mb. Comparative genome analyses with two other congeners with available chromosome-level genomes suggested that an end-to-end chromosome fusion event likely contributed to the reduction in chromosome number from n = 20 to n = 19 within this genus. By integrating transcriptomic and metabolomic data, we identified the gene expression patterns and metabolite profiles of I. hylonoma across three commonly utilized medicinal tissues. We subsequently pinpointed candidate genes involved in the regulation of triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis, including CYP450 genes, UGT genes, and associated transcription factors. Furthermore, yeast heterologous expression analysis revealed that ihyl08363 catalyzed the conversion of β-amyrin into oleanolic acid, while ihyl04303 catalyzed the C-2α hydroxylation of oleanolic acid to produce maslinic acid. This integrated analysis provides valuable insights into the biosynthesis of important triterpenoid saponins in medicinal Ilex plants.

Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus Extracts Improved Lipid Metabolism and Inflammation in High-Energy Diet-Induced Hyperlipidemia Rats

Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus vesiculosus both contain unique polyphenols called phlorotannins. Phlorotannins reportedly possess various pharmacological activities. A previous study reported that the activity of phlorotannin is strongly correlated with the normalization of metabolic function, and phlorotannins are extremely promising nutrients for use in the treatment of metabolic syndrome. To date, no study has explored the antihyperlipidemic effects of phlorotannins from A. nodosum and F. vesiculosus in animal models. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effects of phlorotannins using a rat model of high-energy diet (HED)-induced hyperlipidemia. The results showed that the rats that were fed an HED and treated with phlorotannin-rich extract from A. nodosum and F. vesiculosus had significantly lower serum fasting blood sugar (FBS), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total cholesterol (TC), triacylglyceride (TG) and free fatty acids (FFAs) levels and hepatic TG level and had higher serum insulin, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels and lipase activity in their fat tissues than in the case with the rats that were fed the HED alone. A histopathological analysis revealed that phlorotannin-rich extract could significantly reduce the size of adipocytes around the epididymis. In addition, the rats treated with phlorotannin-rich extract had significantly lowered interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities than did those in the HED group. These results suggested that the phlorotannin-rich extract stimulated lipid metabolism and may have promoted lipase activity in rats with HED-induced hyperlipidemia. Our results indicated that A. nodosum and F. vesiculosus, marine algae typically used as health foods, have strong antihyperlipidemic effects and may, therefore, be useful for preventing atherosclerosis. These algae may be incorporated into antihyperlipidemia pharmaceuticals and functional foods.

UPLC/Q-TOF-MS/MS-based metabolomics revealed the lipid-lowering effect of Ilicis Rotundae Cortex on high-fat diet induced hyperlipidemia rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ilicis Rotundae Cortex (IRC), a Chinese crude drug, has been widely utilized in Guangdong and Guangxi provinces of China to treat or prevent cardiovascular diseases.

AIM OF STUDY

This investigation aims to study the lipid-lowering effect of IRC, as well as the regulating effect on the endogenous metabolites in hyperlipidemia rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

High-fat diet induced hyperlipidemia rats were administrated with different doses of IRC extract (0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg/day) for 5 weeks. Simvastatin was used as the positive control. Body weight, serum lipid levels and histopathology of liver were evaluated. The metabolic profiles of plasma, urine and cecum content were analyzed using UPLC/Q-TOF-MS/MS-based metabolomics approach coupled with multivariate data analysis.

RESULTS

The levels of serum TC, TG, LDL-C, AST and ALT were significantly decreased and HDL-C level was increased in IRC treatment groups. The hepatic histomorphology was partially restored. 23, 26 and 15 metabolites in plasma, urine and cecum content were determined as the biological biomarkers, respectively. IRC extract could partially recover the disturbed metabolic pathways of bile acid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, taurine and hypotaurine metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, synthesis and degradation of ketone bodies, sphingolipid metabolism and riboflavin metabolism.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that IRC could effectively improve the serum lipids and partially restore the hepatic histomorphology. The underlying metabolic mechanism mainly included improving the metabolism of bile acids, glycerophospholipid, sphingolipid, fatty acid and amino acid. This is the first study on the lipid-lowering effect of IRC from the perspective of metabolomics.

Beneficial effects of cocoa, coffee, green tea, and garcinia complex supplement on diet induced obesity in rats

Background

Cocoa, coffee, green tea and garcinia contain large amounts of polyphenols. Polyphenols are well-known phytochemicals and found in plants, and have modulated physiological and molecular pathways that are involved in energy metabolism, adiposity, and obesity.

Methods

To evaluate the obesity-lowering effect of a combined extract (comprising cocoa, coffee, green tea and garcinia; CCGG) in high-energy diet (HED)-induced obese rats. Male Sprague Dawley rats (8 weeks old) were randomly divided into four groups (n = 12 per group): normal diet with vehicle treatment (Control), and HED to receive vehicle or CCGG by oral gavage at 129, 258, or 517 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks, designated the HED, 0.5X, 1X and 1X groups, respectively.

Results

HED induced macrovesicular fat in the liver and the formation of adipose tissues, and significantly increased the levels of serum free fatty acids (FFA), triacylglycerol (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and LDL-C/HDL-C, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and ketone bodies in serum, and hepatic TG and TC levels, and decreased the levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in serum and lipase activity in fat tissues. Treatment with CCGG could significantly decrease the levels of FFA, TG, TC, LDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C, AST, ALT, and ketone bodies in serum, and hepatic TG and TC contents, and increase the levels of HDL-C in serum and lipase activity in fat tissues compared to the HED group. Liver histopathology also showed that CCGG could significantly reduce the incidence of liver lesions.

Conclusion

These results suggested that CCGG stimulated lipid metabolism in HED-induced obese rats, which is attributable to fat mobilization from adipose tissue.

Effects of combined extract of cocoa, coffee, green tea and garcinia on lipid profiles, glycaemic markers and inflammatory responses in hamsters

BACKGROUND

Dyslipidaemia is highly associated with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, which have been ranked second and third place of leading causes of death in Taiwan. Some plant extracts have been proved effective against dyslipidaemia. However, the combination of plant extracts was rarely studied. The purpose of the present study is to understand the beneficial effects of a combined extract (comprising cocoa, coffee, green tea and garcinia; CCGG) on lipid profiles in serum, liver, and faeces as well as glycaemic markers and related proinflammatory cytokines by using an appropriate animal model, the golden Syrian hamster.

METHODS

A total of 40 male hamsters were randomly assigned to five groups: (1) vehicle control, (2) high-cholesterol diet control, (3) high-cholesterol diet of 311 mg/kg/d of CCGG, (4) high-cholesterol diet of 622 mg/kg/d of CCGG and (5) high-cholesterol diet of 1555 mg/kg/d of CCGG. At the end of the experiment, blood, tissue and faecal samples were collected for further analysis.

RESULTS

After 6 weeks of treatment, CCGG supplementation significantly reduced serum lipid content (triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-C) and hepatic lipid content (triglycerides and cholesterol) with dose-dependent effects. In addition, an increase in excretion of faecal lipids (bile acids) was observed after supplementation. Furthermore, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index and serum proinflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α and IL-6) involved in dyslipidaemia was markedly improved. In addition, by monitoring biochemical parameters as well as histopathology of major tissues, no toxicity was observed after the consumption of CCGG.

CONCLUSION

Dietary CCGG supplementation may exert potential effects on ameliorating hyperlipidaemia, insulin resistance, liver steatosis and related inflammation.

Effect of green tea on the second degree burn wounds in rats

Background:

Various studies indicate that the green tea has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. Moreover, a few studies have been carried out that demonstrate beneficial effects of green tea on burned patients.

Materials and Methods:

In this study, green tea, Vaseline, and silver sulfadiazine dressings were used as first-aid treatment to deep dermal contact burns in rats, compared with a control of nothing. After creating second-degree burn on the dorsum of rats, the treatments were applied for 15 min in four groups. Wound dressing changes were daily. Macroscopic study was performed on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 by using a digital camera and software processing of photos. Microscopic examination was done by pathologic evaluation of skin specimens on day 14.

Results:

We observed that green tea usage significantly decreased burn size in comparison to the control group (P = 0.004).

Conclusion:

Green tea is effective on healing process of second degree burn wounds.

Uncontrolled diabetes mellitus: prevalence and risk factors among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in an Urban District of Karachi, Pakistan

AIMS

This study aimed to explore the prevalence of, and factors associated with, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (UDM) in a community setting in Pakistan.

METHODOLOGY

A single-center, cross-sectional study, conducted in a community-based specialized care center (SCC) for diabetes in District Central Karachi, in 2003, registered 452 type 2 DM participants, tested for HbA1c and interviewed face-to-face for other information. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with UDM.

RESULTS

Prevalence of UDM among diabetes patients was found to be 38.9% (95% CI: 34.4-43.4%). Multivariable logistic regression model analysis indicated that age <50 years (OR: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.2-2.9), being diagnosed in a hospital (vs. a clinic) (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.1-2.8), diabetes information from a doctor or nurse only (vs. multiple sources) (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2-2.9), higher monthly treatment cost (OR: 1.3; 95% CI: 1.1-1.6; for every extra 500 PKR), and higher consumption of tea (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.0-2.2; for every 2 extra cups) were independently associated with UDM.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of UDM was approximately 39% among persons with type 2 diabetes visiting a community based SCC for diabetes. Modifiable risk factors such as sources of diabetes information and black tea consumption can be considered as potential targets of interventions in Karachi.