The anti-obesity effects exerted by different fractions of Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch polysaccharide in diet-induced obese mice

Effects of acetyl groups on the prebiotic properties of glucomannan extracted from Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch seeds

This study explores the structural modification of glucomannan extracted from Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch seeds (60S) to assess the impact of acetyl groups on its prebiotic characteristics. The structural changes were examined, with a focus on the degree of acetyl group substitution (DS). Both deacetylation and acetylation had limited influence on the molecular properties of 60S. Despite these modifications, the apparent viscosity of all samples remained consistently low. In vitro fermentation experiments revealed that Escherichia-Shigella decreased as DS increased, while Bacteroides ovatus was enriched. Acetylation had no significant impact on the utilization rate of 60S but led to a reduction in the production of propionic acid. Furthermore, untargeted metabolomics analysis confirmed the changes in propionic acid levels. Notably, metabolites such as N-acetyl-L-tyrosine, γ-muricholic acid, and taurocholate were upregulated by acetylated derivatives. Overall, acetyl groups are speculated to play a pivotal role in the prebiotic properties of 60S.

Screening of Platycodonis Radix Fractions for Antiobesity Activities and Elucidation of Its Molecular Mechanisms in High-Fat Diet-Fed C57BL/6 Mice

Obesity is a threat to public health and effective new medications are required. Platycodonis Radix (PR) is a traditional medicinal/dietary plant with activities against obesity. Using mice given a diet rich in fat, the antiobesity components of PR were identified and their molecular mechanisms were clarified further in this investigation. Initially, the impacts of PR fractions on liver histology and biochemical markers were assessed. Subsequently, the degrees of lipogenic and lipolytic gene and protein expressions were determined. Oral administration of PR polysaccharides (PG) (0.80 g/kg body weight) improved liver function (alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase) and its antioxidant activities (total superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and malondialdehyde), as well as alleviated blood lipid (total cholesterol, total triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol) values, inflammatory systemic (TNF-α and IL-1β), and histological abnormalities within the liver. Furthermore, PG administration downregulated the expression for lipogenic genes (ACC and FAS) and upregulated the expression for the lipolytic gene (PPARα, LPL, CPT1, and HSL). Importantly, PG raised AMPK phosphorylation and decreased SREBP-1c protein synthesis. Thus, it is possible that PG stimulates the AMPK-LPL/HSL path (lipolytic route) plus the AMPK-ACC/PPARα-CPT1 path (associated to β-oxidation of fatty acids), while inhibiting the AMPK/(SREBP-1c)-ACC/FAS path (lipogenic route). In summary, PG has the ability to regulate lipid metabolism, and it may be useful to pharmacologically activate AMPK with PG to prevent and cure obesity.

Orm2 Deficiency Aggravates High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity through Gut Microbial Dysbiosis and Intestinal Inflammation

SCOPE

Orosomucoid 2 (Orm2) is a hepatocyte-secreted protein that plays a crucial role in regulating obesity-type metabolic disease and immunity. The imbalance of gut microbiota is one of the causes of obesity, but the mechanism of the relationship between Orm2 and gut microbiota in obesity remains unclear.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Orm2-/- (Orm2 knockout) mice on a normal diet developed spontaneous obesity and metabolic disturbances at the 20th week. Through 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the study finds that the gut microbiota of Orm2-/- mice has a different microbial composition compared to wild type (WT) mice. Furthermore, a high-fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks exacerbates obesity in Orm2-/- mice. Lack of Orm2 promotes dysregulation of gut microbiota under the HFD, especially a reduction of Clostridium spp. Supplementation with Clostridium butyricum alleviates obesity and alters the gut microbial composition in WT mice, but has minimal effects on Orm2-/- mice. In contrast, co-housing of Orm2-/- mice with WT mice rescues Orm2-/- obesity by reducing pathogenic bacteria and mitigating intestinal inflammation.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest Orm2 deficiency exacerbates HFD-induced gut microbiota disturbance and intestinal inflammation, providing a novel insight into the complex bacterial flora but not a single probiotic administration in the therapeutic strategy of obesity.

Leuconostoc mesenteroides WHH1141 ameliorates ovalbumin-induced food allergy in mice

Food allergy (FA) is acknowledged as a significant public health and food safety issue, due to its manifestation as an amplified immune reaction to food antigens. Recently, probiotics within Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium have been highlighted as a promising strategy against allergic disease by modulating the balance of Th1/Th2 responses. However, the allergy-alleviating effects of probiotic Leuconostoc mesenteroides strains are unknown. Therefore, this study investigated the potentials of eleven L. mesenteroides strains on the Th1/Th2 balance in vitro by evaluating the expression patterns of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) (Th1 cytokine) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) (Th2 cytokine) in mesenteric lymph node-derived lymphocytes from ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized mice. Among strains, WHH1141 incubation caused the highest IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio. Oral administration of WHH1141 (1 × 109  CFU/mL) in the OVA-induced FA mouse model for 40 days improved the weight loss and FA pathological symptoms and normalized the serum immunoglobulin E levels. Meanwhile, the OVA-induced elevated gene expressions of cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) and tight-junction proteins (ZO-1 and Occludin) and levels of cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13) and histamine in the jejunum were restored by WHH1141. Furthermore, WHH1141 reversed the reduced gut microbial diversity and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels, specifically increased Bacteroidota abundance, and decreased Firmicutes abundance in OVA-induced mice. Overall, these findings suggest that WHH1141 exerts FA-alleviating effects on OVA-induced mice, which is involved with the inhibition of the jejunal Th2 immune responses and the modulation of gut microbiome composition and SCFA productions. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Leuconostoc mesenteroides WHH1141 with FA-alleviating potentials may be considered a promising approach in the mitigation of FA symptoms.

Theabrownin of raw and ripened pu-erh tea varies in the alleviation of HFD-induced obesity via the regulation of gut microbiota

PURPOSE

Pu-erh tea can be classified into raw pu-erh tea and ripened pu-erh tea. Theabrownin (TB) is one of the major components of pu-erh tea. The difference of the anti-obesity activity between raw pu-erh tea TB (R-TB) and ripened pu-erh tea TB (F-TB) has not been comprehensively investigated yet. Therefore, this article aimed to systemically study the anti-obesity activity and the underlying mechanism of R-TB and F-TB.

METHOD

High-fat diet (HFD)-induced C57BL/6J mice with obesity were gavaged with R-TB or F-TB to assess the effect of R-TB and F-TB on the amelioration of obesity, the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes, and the regulation of gut flora imbalance.

RESULTS

Administration of both R-TB and F-TB could suppress body weight gain, improve insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis, regulate the lipid level and reduce the chronic inflammation in obese mice. The underlying anti-obesity mechanism of R-TB and F-TB might involve the regulation of lipogenesis and lipolysis, amelioration of the gut microbiota disorder and promotion of microbial metabolism. Interestingly, R-TB was more efficient in the regulation of blood glucose, reduction of inflammation and suppression of partial adipogenesis-related genes and protein, while F-TB was more effective in the inhibition of lipolysis-related genes and protein. In addition, F-TB might be more effective in adjusting the dysbacteria caused by HFD back to normal by promoting the proliferation of the beneficial microbiota, such as Lactobacillus and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, both R-TB and F-TB had the potential to be developed as beneficial dietary supplements or functional foods for ameliorating obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorders, but their effects and the ability to regulate the intestinal flora varied.

Managing metabolic diseases: The roles and therapeutic prospects of herb-derived polysaccharides

Metabolic diseases have become a public health problem worldwide. Effective, novel and natural therapies are urgently needed to treat metabolic diseases. As natural bioactive compounds, polysaccharides have many physiological and medicinal properties. Recently, herb-derived polysaccharides have shown beneficial effects in the treatment of metabolic diseases, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This review comprehensively summarizes the pharmacological progress and clinical evidence of herb-derived polysaccharides in the treatment of three metabolic diseases, namely type 2 diabetes mellitus, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and obesity, and more importantly, discusses the molecular mechanism involved. Existing evidence has proved that herb-derived polysaccharides can maintain glucose homeostasis, promote insulin secretion, improve insulin resistance, reduce weight gain and hepatic steatosis, inhibit lipogenesis, alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation, and improve gut microbiota disorders in rodents with metabolic diseases. Notably, so far, human clinical trials of herb-derived polysaccharides for these three metabolic diseases remain rare. All in all, herb-derived polysaccharides may have good potential as drug candidates for the prevention and management of metabolic diseases. More high-quality clinical trials are needed to further validate its effectiveness and safety in human subjects.

Feeding of Hermetia illucens Larvae Meal Attenuates Hepatic Lipid Synthesis and Fatty Liver Development in Obese Zucker Rats

The present study tested the hypothesis that dietary insect meal from Hermetia illucens (HI) larvae attenuates the development of liver steatosis and hyperlipidemia in the obese Zucker rat. To test the hypothesis, a 4-week trial with male, obese Zucker rats (n = 30) and male, lean Zucker rats (n = 10) was performed. The obese rats were assigned to three obese groups (group O-C, group O-HI25, group O-HI50) of 10 rats each. The lean rats served as a lean control group (L-C). Group L-C and group O-C were fed a control diet with 20% casein as protein source, whereas 25% and 50% of the protein from casein was replaced with protein from HI larvae meal in the diets of group O-HI25 and O-HI50, respectively. The staining of liver sections with Oil red O revealed an excessive lipid accumulation in the liver of group O-C compared to group L-C, whereas liver lipid accumulation in group O-HI25 and O-HI50 was markedly reduced compared to group O-C. Hepatic concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol, C14:0, C16:0, C16:1, C18:0, C18:1, the sum of total fatty acids and hepatic mRNA levels of several genes associated with lipid synthesis and plasma concentration of cholesterol were markedly higher in group O-C than in group L-C, but lower in group O-HI50 than in group O-C (p < 0.05). In conclusion, partial replacement of casein by HI larvae meal attenuates liver steatosis and dyslipidemia in obese Zucker rats. This suggests that HI larvae meal serves as a functional food protecting from obesity-induced metabolic disorders.

Extraction optimization and characterization of persimmon peel pectin extracted by subcritical water

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Persimmon peel pectin (PPP) was extracted by subcritical water.

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PPP had low M_w of 21.79 kDa and its degree of esterification was 40.61 %.

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PPP attributed to a degradation temperature of 228.05 ℃.

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The IC₅₀ of PPP to ABTS•+ was 9.8-times that of commercial citrus pectin in vitro.

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PPP altered microbial intestinal communities in mice.

Persimmon peel pectin (PPP) was extracted by subcritical water via the response surface methodology. The optimal crude PPP extraction yield of 7.62 ± 0.7 % was found at 138 °C, 2.84 min, and liquid–solid ratio of 1:10.02. After treatment of deproteinization and decolorization with papain and hydrogen peroxide, 83.19 % of protein and 78.56 % of the colour in crude PPP were removed, respectively. PPP owned the M_w of 21.79 kDa and its uronic acids content was 64.03 %. PPP was further affirmed by fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffractometer and ¹H NMR analysis. Moreover, the degradation temperature (228.05 ℃) of PPP was verified via differential scanning calorimetry. Then, the IC₅₀ of PPP to ABTS•+ was 9.8 times that of commercial citrus pectin. Moreover, PPP could change microbial communities and selectively enrich Bacteroides, Cetobacterium, Erysipelatoclostridium, Parabacteroides and Phocaeicola sartorii. This study demonstrated that subcritical water was practicable for extraction of persimmon peel pectin.

Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch polysaccharide promotes adipose thermogenesis and decreases obesity by shaping the gut microbiota

This study was designed to investigate the underlying mechanism of Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch polysaccharide (ASKP) against obesity. Here, our results showed that ASKP considerably reduced body weight gain and metabolic disorders in high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that ASKP relieved the gut microbiota disorder caused by HFD and promoted the proliferation of probiotics such as Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Blautia. Interestingly, the fecal levels of succinate, a microbial metabolite associated with adipose thermogenesis, were dramatically elevated by ASKP treatment in obese mice. Accordingly, ASKP promoted thermogenesis of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and browning of inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) of mice fed with a HFD, as revealed by the elevated expression of thermogenic marker genes (UCP1, CIDEA and PGC1α) in BAT and iWAT. Importantly, antibiotic treatment significantly decreased the ASKP-elevated fecal levels of succinate and further abolished the adipose thermogenesis effects of ASKP. Taken together, our results show that ASKP prevents obesity through iWAT browning and BAT activation, a mechanism that is dependent on the gut microbiota metabolism.

Lipid-lowering activity of metformin-soluble soybean polysaccharide nanoparticles

Soybean dregs are one of the most important albeit underutilized byproducts in soybean processing. In this study, soluble soybean polysaccharides with lipid-lowering activity were extracted from soybean dregs and used as a wall material for embedding metformin. Metformin-soluble soybean polysaccharide nanoparticles (MET-SSPS-NPs) were prepared by electrostatic interaction. The lipid-lowering activity and possible mechanism of MET-SSPS-NPs were investigated. Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of cell-related protein proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) in vitro. The results showed that MET-SSPS-NPs lowered the expression of PCSK9 and improved LDLR levels. A high-fat diet (HFD) animal model was established to study the lipid-lowering effect of MET-SSPS-NPs by real-time quantitative PCR and western blotting. MET-SSPS-NPs significantly upregulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) expression and downregulated PCSK9, fatty acid-binding protein (FABP)7 and FABP5 expression more strongly than MET or SSPS alone. In conclusion, MET-SSPS-NPs can inhibit PCSK9 expression and improve the level of adipokines, providing a theoretical basis for the application of MET-SSPS-NPs in lipid lowering.

Feeding of cuticles from Tenebrio molitor larvae modulates the gut microbiota and attenuates hepatic steatosis in obese Zucker rats

Insect biomass obtained from large-scale mass-rearing of insect larvae has gained considerable attention in recent years as an alternative and sustainable source of food and feed. A byproduct from mass-rearing of insect larvae is the shed cuticles - the most external components of insects which are a relevant source of the polysaccharide chitin. While it has been shown that chitin modulates the gut microbiota and ameliorates lipid metabolic disorders in obese rodent models, feeding studies dealing with isolated insects' cuticles are completely lacking. Thus, the present study tested the hypothesis that dietary insects' cuticles modulate the gut microbiome and improve hepatic lipid metabolism in obese Zucker rats. To test this hypothesis, three groups of obese Zucker rats were fed a nutrient-adequate, semisynthetic basal diet which was supplemented with either 0% (group O), 1.5% (group O1.5) or 3.0% (group O3.0) Tenebrio molitor cuticles at the expense of cellulose. Oil red O-stained liver sections showed a marked lipid accumulation, but lipid accumulation was clearly less in group O3.0 than in groups O and O1.5. In line with this, hepatic lipid concentrations were 30% lower in group O3.0 than in group O (p < 0.05). No differences were observed across the obese groups regarding liver concentrations of methionine, S-adenosylmethionine and homocysteine. Analysis of cecal microbial community at the family level revealed that the relative abundances of Bifidobacteriaceae, Coriobacteriaceae Erysipelotrichaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Prevotellaceae, Sutterellaceae, unknown Deltaproteobacteria and unknown Firmicutes were higher and those of Anaeroplasmataceae, Desulfovibrionaceae, Eubacteriaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Saccharibacteria and unknown Clostridiales were lower in group O3.0 compared to group O (p < 0.05). Cecal digesta concentrations of total short-chain fatty acids, acetate and butyrate were higher in group O3.0 than in group O (p < 0.05). Targeted plasma metabolomics revealed 53 metabolites differing between groups, amongst which two indole metabolites, indole-3-propionic acid and 3-indoxylsulfate, were markedly elevated in group O3.0 compared to groups O1.5 and O. Regarding that increased abundances of bacteria of the Actinobacteria phylum and Lactobacillaceae family in the gut have been reported to be associated with antisteatotic, hepatoprotective and antiinflammatory effects, the pronounced increases of Bifidobacteriaceae and Coriobacteriaceae (both Actinobacteria), and of Lactobacillaceae in group O3.0 might have contributed to the amelioration of fatty liver.

Modulatory effects of polysaccharides from plants, marine algae and edible mushrooms on gut microbiota and related health benefits: A review

Naturally occurring carbohydrate polymers containing non-starch polysaccharides (NPs) are a class of biomacromolecules isolated from plants, marine algae, and edible mushrooms, and their biological activities has shown potential uses in the prevention and treatment of human diseases. Importantly, NPs serve as prebiotics to provide health benefits to the host through stimulating the proliferation of beneficial gut microbiota (GM) and enhancing the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The composition and diversity of GM play a critical role in regulating host health and have been extensively studied in recent years. In this review, the extraction, isolation, purification, and structural characterization of NPs derived from plants, marine algae, and edible mushrooms are outlined. Importantly, the degradation and metabolism of these NPs in the intestinal tract, the effects of NPs on the microbial community and SCFAs generation, and the beneficial effects of NPs on host health by modulating GM are systematically highlighted. Overall, we hope that this review can provide some theoretical references and a new perspective for applications of NPs as prebiotics in functional food and drug development.

Natural Dietary and Medicinal Plants with Anti-Obesity Therapeutics Activities for Treatment and Prevention of Obesity during Lock Down and in Post-COVID-19 Era

Overweight and obesity have become global epidemics, especially during the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The potential of medicinal plants as a better and safe option in treating obesity and overweight has gained attention in recent years. Obesity and overweight has become a major public health concern, and its incidence rising at an alarming rate. Obesity is one of the major types of metabolic syndrome, resulting in various types of problems such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and excess fat accumulation. The current searching was done by the keywords in main indexing systems including Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, the search engine of Google Scholar, and Institute for Scientific Web of Science. The keywords were traditional medicine, health benefits, pharmaceutical science, pomegranate, punicalin, punicalagin, and ellagitannins. Google Scholar was searched manually for possible missing manuscripts, and there was no language restriction in the search. This review was carried out to highlight the importance of medicinal plants which are common in traditional medicinal sciences of different countries, especially Asia to prevent and treatment of obesity and overweight during the global pandemic and the post-COVID-19 era.