Herbal composition Gambigyeongsinhwan (4) from Curcuma longa, Alnus japonica, and Massa Medicata Fermentata inhibits lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells and regulates obesity in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats

Fenofibrate Regulates Visceral Obesity and Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Obese Female Ovariectomized C57BL/6J Mice

Fibrates, including fenofibrate, are a class of hypolipidemic drugs that activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), which in-turn regulates the expression of lipid and lipoprotein metabolism genes. We investigated whether fenofibrate can reduce visceral obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via adipose tissue PPARα activation in female ovariectomized (OVX) C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD), a mouse model of obese postmenopausal women. Fenofibrate reduced body weight gain (-38%, p < 0.05), visceral adipose tissue mass (-46%, p < 0.05), and visceral adipocyte size (-20%, p < 0.05) in HFD-fed obese OVX mice. In addition, plasma levels of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase, as well as free fatty acids, triglycerides, and total cholesterol, were decreased. Fenofibrate also inhibited hepatic lipid accumulation (-69%, p < 0.05) and infiltration of macrophages (-72%, p < 0.05), while concomitantly upregulating the expression of fatty acid β-oxidation genes targeted by PPARα and decreasing macrophage infiltration and mRNA expression of inflammatory factors in visceral adipose tissue. These results suggest that fenofibrate inhibits visceral obesity, as well as hepatic steatosis and inflammation, in part through visceral adipose tissue PPARα activation in obese female OVX mice.

Antidiabetic Properties of Curcumin I: Evidence from In Vitro Studies

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a growing metabolic disease characterized by insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. Current preventative and treatment strategies for T2DM and insulin resistance lack in efficacy resulting in the need for new approaches to prevent and manage/treat the disease better. In recent years, epidemiological studies have suggested that diets rich in fruits and vegetables have beneficial health effects including protection against insulin resistance and T2DM. Curcumin, a polyphenol found in turmeric, and curcuminoids have been reported to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, neuroprotective, immunomodulatory and antidiabetic properties. The current review (I of II) summarizes the existing in vitro studies examining the antidiabetic effects of curcumin, while a second (II of II) review summarizes evidence from existing in vivo animal studies and clinical trials focusing on curcumin’s antidiabetic properties.

Child compound Endothelium corneum attenuates gastrointestinal dysmotility through regulating the homeostasis of brain-gut-microbiota axis in functional dyspepsia rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Nowadays, there is no specific effective western medicine for functional dyspepsia (FD), especially in children. Clinically, child compound Endothelium corneum (CCEC) has shown to be effective for the therapy of FD, however, the underlying mechanism has not been elucidated yet.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

FD was induced in rats by irregular diet plus dilute hydrochloric acid feeding. Gastric emptying and small intestinal transit were examined by intragastric gavage with Evans blue. Histopathology was assessed by H&E staining. Gastrointestinal hormones and brain gut peptides were measured by ELISA assay. mRNA expression level was quantified by real-time PCR. Protein expression level was detected by western blotting assay. Gut microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA miseq sequencing.

RESULTS

CCEC significantly enhanced gastric emptying and small intestinal transit of FD rats, and prominently suppressed gastrointestinal microinflammation. At phylum level, CCEC prevented the decrease of Firmicutes and the increase of Bacteroidetes in gut of FD rats. In stomach of FD rats, MTL, CCK and VIP levels were significantly increased, which could be repressed by CCEC; however, the decreased GAS level could not be elevated by CCEC. In small intestine of FD rats, MTL and GAS levels were decreased, while VIP content was increased. These alterations could be effectively reversed by CCEC. NPY levels in serum, small intestine and hypothalamus of FD rats were significantly decreased, which could be rescued by CCEC. Moreover, the over-activated POMC/Stat3/Akt pathway in hypothalamus of FD rats could be suppressed by CCEC.

CONCLUSION

CCEC enhanced gastrointestinal motility probably through rebalancing the homeostasis of brain-gut-microbiota axis in FD rats. The novel findings may provide insightful theoretical basis for its clinical employment.

Ascorbic acid inhibits visceral obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α in high-fat-diet-fed C57BL/6J mice

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Ascorbic acid is a known cofactor in the biosynthesis of carnitine, a molecule that has an obligatory role in fatty acid oxidation. Our previous studies have demonstrated that obesity is regulated effectively through peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα)-mediated fatty acid β-oxidation. Thus, this study aimed to determine whether ascorbic acid can inhibit obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in part through the actions of PPARα.

DESIGN

After C57BL/6J mice received a low-fat diet (LFD, 10% kcal fat), a high-fat diet (HFD, 45% kcal fat), or the same HFD supplemented with ascorbic acid (1% w/w) (HFD-AA) for 15 weeks, variables and determinants of visceral obesity and NAFLD were examined using metabolic measurements, histology, and gene expression.

RESULTS

Compared to HFD-fed obese mice, administration of HFD-AA to obese mice reduced body weight gain, visceral adipose tissue mass, and visceral adipocyte size without affecting food consumption profiles. Concomitantly, circulating ascorbic acid concentrations were significantly higher in HFD-AA mice than in HFD mice. Ascorbic acid supplementation increased the mRNA levels of PPARα and its target enzymes involved in fatty acid β-oxidation in visceral adipose tissues. Consistent with the effects of ascorbic acid on visceral obesity, ascorbic acid not only inhibited hepatic steatosis but also increased the mRNA levels of PPARα-dependent fatty acid β-oxidation genes in livers. Similarly, hepatic inflammation, fibrosis, and apoptosis were also decreased during ascorbic acid-induced inhibition of visceral obesity. In addition, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol were lower in HFD-AA-fed mice than in those of HFD-fed mice.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that ascorbic acid seems to suppress HFD-induced visceral obesity and NAFLD in part through the activation of PPARα.

Isolation and Identification of Benzochroman and Acylglycerols from Massa Medicata Fermentata and Their Inhibitory Effects on LPS-Stimulated Cytokine Production in Bone Marrow-Derived Dendritic Cells

Massa Medicata Fermentata (MMF), known as Shenqu, is an important traditional Chinese medicine widely used to treat indigestion, vomiting, and diarrhea. In this study, a new benzochroman, 3(S)-3,4-dihydro-5,10-di-β-d-glucopyranoside-2,2-dimethyl-2H-naphtho(2,3-b)pyran-3-ol (1), and five known galactosyl acylglycerols (2–6) were isolated from a methanol extract from MMF. In addition, their chemical structures were determined by chemical and spectroscopic methods, which were compared with the previously reported data. Furthermore, the effects of isolated compounds on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated bone marrow-derived dendritic cells were investigated. Compounds 1–3 exhibited significant inhibitory effects on the LPS-induced production of IL-6 and IL-12 p40, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 1.6 to 10.2 μM. Compounds 2 and 3 also exhibited strong inhibitory effects on the LPS-stimulated production of TNF-α with IC₅₀ values of 12.0 and 11.2 μM, respectively. The results might provide a scientific basis for the development of the active components in MMF, as well as for novel anti-inflammatory agents.

Antibacterial and Antioxidant Capacities and Attenuation of Lipid Accumulation in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes by Low-Molecular-Weight Fucoidans Prepared from Compressional-Puffing-Pretreated Sargassum Crassifolium

In this study, we extracted fucoidan from compressional-puffing-pretreated Sargassum crassifolium by hot water. The crude extract of fucoidan (SC) was degraded by various degradation reagents and four low-molecular-weight (LMW) fucoidans, namely SCO (degradation by hydrogen peroxide), SCA (degradation by ascorbic acid), SCOA (degradation by hydrogen peroxide + ascorbic acid), and SCH (degradation by hydrogen chloride) were obtained. The degradation reagents studied could effectively degrade fucoidan into LMW fucoidans, as revealed by intrinsic viscosity, agarose gel electrophoresis, and molecular weight analyses. These LMW fucoidans had higher uronic acid content and sulfate content than those of SC. It was found that SCOA exhibited antibacterial activity. All LMW fucoidans showed antioxidant activities as revealed by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), ABTS (2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt), and FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) methods. Biological experiments showed that SC and SCOA had relatively high activity for the reversal of H₂O₂-induced cell death in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and SCOA showed the highest effect on attenuation of lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Therefore, for the LMW fucoidans tested, SCOA showed antibacterial activity and had a high fucose content, high sulfate content, high activity for the reversal of H₂O₂-induced cell death, and a marked effect on attenuation of lipid accumulation. It can thus be recommended as a natural and safe antibacterial and anti-adipogenic agent for food, cosmetic, and nutraceutical applications.

Metabolomics Approach in the Study of the Well-Defined Polyherbal Preparation Zyflamend

Zyflamend is a highly controlled blend of 10 herbal extracts that synergistically impact multiple cell signaling pathways with anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties. More recently, its effects were shown to also modify cellular energetics, for example, activation of fatty acid oxidation and inhibition of lipogenesis. However, its general metabolic effects in vivo have yet to be explored. The objective of this study was to characterize the tissue specific metabolomes in response to supplementation of Zyflamend in mice, with a comparison of equivalent metabolomics data generated in plasma from humans supplemented with Zyflamend. Because Zyflamend has been shown to activate AMPK, the "energy sensor" of the cell, in vitro, the effects of Zyflamend on adiposity were also tested in the murine model. C57BL/6 mice were fed diets that mimicked the macro- and micronutrient composition of the U.S. diet with and without Zyflamend supplementation at human equivalent doses. Untargeted metabolomics was performed in liver, skeletal muscle, adipose, and plasma from mice consuming Zyflamend and in plasma from humans supplemented with Zyflamend at an equivalent dose. Adiposity in mice was significantly reduced in the Zyflamend-treated animals (compared with controls) without affecting body weight or weight gain. Based on KEGG pathway enrichment, purine and pyrimidine metabolism (potential regulators of AMPK) were particularly responsive to Zyflamend across all tissues, but only in mice. Consistent with the metabolomics data, Zyflamend activated AMPK and inhibited acetyl CoA-carboxylase in adipose tissue, key regulators of lipogenesis. Zyflamend reduces adipose tissue in mice through a mechanism that likely involves the activation of AMPK.

The effects of herbal composition Gambigyeongsinhwan (4) on hepatic steatosis and inflammation in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty rats and HepG2 cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Hepatic steatosis has risen rapidly in parallel with a dramatic increase in obesity. The aim of this study was to determine whether the herbal composition Gambigyeongsinhwan (4) (GGH(4)), composed of Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae), Alnus japonica (Thunb.) Steud. (Betulaceae), and the fermented traditional Korean medicine Massa Medicata Fermentata, regulates hepatic steatosis and inflammation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The effects of GGH(4) on hepatic steatosis and inflammation in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats and HepG2 cells were examined using Oil red O, hematoxylin and eosin, and toluidine blue staining, immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) transactivation assay.

RESULTS

Administration of GGH(4) to OLETF rats improved hepatic steatosis and lowered serum levels of alanine transaminase, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and free fatty acids. GGH(4) increased mRNA levels of fatty acid oxidation enzymes (ACOX, HD, CPT-1, and MCAD) and decreased mRNA levels of lipogenesis genes (FAS, ACC1, C/EBPα, and SREBP-1c) in the liver of OLETF rats. In addition, infiltration of inflammatory cells and expression of inflammatory cytokines (CD68, TNFα, and MCP-1) in liver tissue were reduced by GGH(4). Treatment of HepG2 cells with a mixture of oleic acid and palmitoleic acid induced significant lipid accumulation, but GGH(4) inhibited lipid accumulation by regulating the expression of hepatic fatty acid oxidation and lipogenic genes. GGH(4) also increased PPARα reporter gene expression. These effects of GGH(4) were similar to those of the PPARα activator fenofibrate, whereas the PPARα antagonist GW6471 reversed the inhibitory effects of GGH(4) on lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that GGH(4) inhibits obesity-induced hepatic steatosis and that this process may be mediated by regulation of the expression of PPARα target genes and lipogenic genes. GGH(4) also suppressed obesity-related hepatic inflammation. Thus, GGH(4) may be a promising drug for the treatment of obesity-related liver diseases.

KBH-1, an herbal composition, improves hepatic steatosis and leptin resistance in high-fat diet-induced obese rats

Background

KBH-1 is an herbal mixture of Saururus chinensis, Curcuma longa and Polygala tenuifolia. Each herb has been reported to have various pharmaceutical activities; however, the synergistic effect of this herbal composition on obesity has not yet been determined. We investigated the alleviation effect of KBH-1 and its possible molecular mechanism in obesity-induced hepatic steatosis and leptin resistance in the hypothalamus.

Methods

We used HepG2 cells, primary neuronal cells and a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity rat model to determine the effect of KBH-1 in vitro and in vivo on hepatic steatosis and leptin resistance accompanied by obesity. To identify the alleviation effect on lipid accumulation, HepG2 cells stimulated by FFA were stained with Oil Red O; in addition, immunoblotting and qPCR were performed to determine the effect of KBH-1 on the activation of proteins and nuclear enzymes in HepG2 cells and the steatotic liver of HFD-induced obesity rats. To examine the effect of KBH-1 on the leptin resistance of the hypothalamus and its possible molecular mechanism, we examined the effect of KBH-1 on the activation of the leptin resistance-related protein in primary cultured cortical neuron cells and the hypothalamus of an HFD-induced obesity rat model. In addition, we used HPLC analysis to identify the standard compound of KBH-1.

Results

KBH-1 not only suppressed the lipid deposition in HepG2 cells exposed to free fatty acids (FFA) but also significantly down-regulated major factors in lipogenesis and up-regulated major factors in lipolysis. Similarly, in a HFD-induced obesity model, KBH-1 improved hepatic steatosis by alleviating the effects on lipogenic genes and kinases. In addition, KBH-1 significantly improved the leptin-mediated signals impaired by obesity or FFA in the obesity model and primary cultured cortical neuron cells. In addition, KBH-1 was analyzed to include six standard compounds using HPLC analysis, among these compounds, onji-saponin B and curcumin were potently suppressed the level of triglycerides.

Conclusions

KBH-1 exhibits alleviating effects by improving hepatic steatosis and leptin resistance by up-regulating the activation of AMPK and suppressing the expression of PPARγ. These findings show the potential of KBH-1 as a functional food supplement or preventive agent in the treatment of obesity.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12906-016-1265-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Herbal composition of Cinnamomum cassia, Pinus densiflora, Curcuma longa and Glycyrrhiza glabra prevents atherosclerosis by upregulating p27 (Kip1) expression

Background

Kiom-18 is a novel composition of Cinnamomum cassia, Pinus densiflora, Curcuma longa and Glycyrrhiza glabra. Curcuma longa and Glycyrrhiza glabra, which are traditional medicines in Asia, have been reported to demonstrate preventive effects against atherosclerosis; however, they have not yet been developed into functional atherosclerosis treatments. We therefore studied the anti-atherosclerotic effects and possible molecular mechanisms of Kiom-18 using vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).

Methods

To assess the anti-proliferative effect of Kiom-18 in vitro, we performed thymidine incorporation, cell cycle progression, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence assays in VSMCs stimulated by platelet derived-growth factor (PDGF)-BB. In addition, we used LDLr knockout mice to identify the effects of Kiom-18 as a preliminary result in an atherosclerosis animal model.

Results

Kiom-18 inhibited platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB-stimulated-VSMC proliferation and DNA synthesis. Additionally, Kiom-18 arrested the cell cycle transition of G₀/G₁ stimulated by PDGF-BB and its cell cycle-related proteins. Correspondingly, the level of p27^kip1 expression was upregulated in the presence of the Kiom-18 extract. Moreover, in an atherosclerosis animal model of LDLr knockout mice, Kiom-18 extract showed a preventive effect for the formation of atherosclerotic plaque and suppressed body weight, fat weight, food treatment efficiency, neutrophil count, and triglyceride level.

Conclusions

These results indicate that Kiom-18 exerts anti-atherosclerotic effects by inhibiting VSMC proliferation via G₀/G₁ arrest, which upregulates p27^Kip1 expression.

Acetylshikonin from Zicao Prevents Obesity in Rats on a High-Fat Diet by Inhibiting Lipid Accumulation and Inducing Lipolysis

Various drugs have been developed to treat obesity, but these have undesirable secondary effects, and an efficient but non-toxic anti-obesity drug from natural sources is desired. This study investigated the anti-obesity effects and mechanisms of action of acetylshikonin (AS)—which is used in traditional Chinese medicine—in rats on a high-fat diet (HFD). Rats were fed a normal diet or an HFD; the latter group was received no treatment or were treated with 100, 300, or 900 mg/kg AS extract by intragastric administration for 6 weeks. In addition, 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with AS and the effects on adipogenesis and lipolysis were evaluated by western blot analysis of adipogenic transcription factors and lipid-metabolizing enzyme levels and the phosphorylation status of protein kinase (PK) A and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL). AS prevented HFD-induced obesity including reduction in body weight, white adipose tissue content, liver mass, and serum triglyceride and free fatty acid levels in rats. It also suppressed the expression of adipogenic differentiation transcription factors and decreased the expression of the adipocyte-specific proteins HSL and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL). Furthermore, AS treatment induced lipolysis, leading to the release of glycerol and increased in PKA and HSL phosphorylation. These findings demonstrate that AS has anti-obesity effects in a rat model and may be a safe treatment for obesity in humans.

Improvement of physiological parameters of rats subjected to hypercaloric diet, with the use of Pereskia grandifolia (Cactaceae) leaf flour

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-obesity effects of Pereskia grandifolia leaf flour on rats fed a hypercaloric diet.

METHODS

After a hypercaloric diet for 10 weeks, 21 animals were divided into the following groups and were fed the following diets for 4 weeks: control (CH), hypercaloric diet with P. grandifolia flour (PGF) 5%, and hypercaloric diet with PGF 10%. Several measurements were performed including body weight, food consumption, body mass index, Lee index, liver weight, liver and body moisture content, and body and hepatic lipid level. Data were analyzed by Tukey's test at 5% probability.

RESULTS

Rats fed PGF diet had decreased food consumption and body weight and showed lower body mass and Lee indices compared to control group. At week 2, weight of the PGF 10% group was statistically lower than the control group (CH). At week 4, the PGF 10% group demonstrated the highest body weight loss compared to the other two groups. There were no significant difference in total lipids and moisture level between the groups; however, rats fed PGF diet had lower hepatic lipids levels than control group and reduced liver weight.

CONCLUSION

This suggests that PGF induced weight loss and decreased hepatic lipid level and may be effective in treating obesity and related metabolic diseases.