Mulberry leaf activates brown adipose tissue and induces browning of inguinal white adipose tissue in type 2 diabetic rats through regulating AMP-activated protein kinase signalling pathway

Endocrine regulation of metabolic crosstalk between liver and brown adipose tissue by natural active ingredients

The escalating global obesity crisis and its associated metabolic disorders have posed a significant threat to public health, increasing the risk of major health issues such as cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Central to metabolic regulation are the liver and brown adipose tissue (BAT), which orchestrate glycolipid metabolism, thermogenesis, and energy homeostasis. Emerging evidence highlights the role of natural bioactive compounds-such as polyphenols (e.g., resveratrol, curcumin), alkaloids (e.g., berberine), and terpenoids (e.g., paeoniflorin, shikonin)-in modulating liver-BAT crosstalk. These compounds influence critical pathways, including AMPK activation, PPAR signaling, and UCP1-mediated thermogenesis, to enhance lipid oxidation, suppress gluconeogenesis, and improve insulin sensitivity. This review systematically examines how these natural agents regulate metabolic interplay between the liver and BAT, addressing their effects on energy expenditure, carbohydrate utilization, and lipid mobilization. Key mechanisms involve the suppression of hepatic lipogenesis, promotion of BAT-mediated thermogenesis, and secretion of hepatokines (e.g., FGF21) and batokines that coordinate interorgan communication. By synthesizing preclinical and clinical findings, we highlight the translational potential of dietary interventions and nutraceuticals targeting liver-BAT axis dysfunction. Future research should prioritize mechanistic studies, dose optimization, and personalized approaches to harness these compounds for combating obesity-related diseases. These insights underscore the promise of natural bioactive molecules as adjuvants to lifestyle modifications, offering innovative strategies for metabolic health restoration.

Food-derived polysaccharides and anti-obesity effects through enhancing adipose thermogenesis: structure-activity relationships, mechanisms, and regulation of gut microecology

Polysaccharides represent a crucial and extensively utilized bioactive fraction in natural products, which are employed in the treatment of metabolic disorders due to their significant therapeutic potential. Recently, food-derived polysaccharides (FPs) have emerged as significant substances in obesity management, valued for their ability to activate thermogenic fat. This review discusses the correlation between the structural features of FPs and their efficacy in combating obesity. Moreover, the molecular mechanism by which FPs regulate thermogenic fat and how the intestinal microecology induces thermogenic fat activity is elucidated. The anti-obesity effects of FPs depend on their structure, including molecular weight, composition, linkages, conformation, and branching. Furthermore, FPs regulate fat thermogenesis via multiple mechanisms, including AMPK, p38, AKT, PGC-1α-FNDC5/irisin, and miRNA signaling pathways. Importantly, gut microbiota, together with its associated metabolites and gut-derived hormones, are pivotal in the regulatory control of brown fat by FPs. This work provides an in-depth examination of how adipose tissue thermogenesis contributes to the anti-obesity effects of FPs, shedding light on their potential in preventing obesity and informing the formulation of natural weight-loss remedies.

Mulberry leaf ameliorate STZ induced diabetic rat by regulating hepatic glycometabolism and fatty acid β-oxidation

Introduction

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a metabolic disorder marked by disruptions in glucolipid metabolism, with numerous signaling pathways contributing to its progression. The liver, as the hub of glycolipid metabolism, plays a pivotal role in this context. Mulberry leaf (ML), a staple in traditional Chinese medicine, is widely utilized in the clinical management of T2D. Synthesizing existing literature with the outcomes of prior research, it has become evident that ML enhances glucose metabolism via multiple pathways.

Methods

In our study, we induced T2D in rats through a regimen of high-sugar and high-fat diet supplementation, coupled with intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin. We subsequently administered the aqueous extract of ML to these rats and assessed its efficacy using fasting blood glucose levels and other diagnostic indicators. Further, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the rats' liver tissues using metabolomics and proteomics to gain insights into the underlying mechanisms.

Results

Our findings indicate that ML not only significantly alleviated the symptoms in T2D rats but also demonstrated the capacity to lower blood glucose levels. This was achieved by modulating the glucose-lipid metabolism and amino-terminal pathways within the liver. ACSL5, Dlat, Pdhb, G6pc, Mdh2, Cs, and other key enzymes in metabolic pathways regulated by ML may be the core targets of ML treatment for T2D.

Discussion

Mulberry leaf ameliorate STZ induced diabetic rat by regulating hepatic glycometabolism and fatty acid β-oxidation.

Nicotinamide Riboside Ameliorates Fructose-Induced Lipid Metabolism Disorders in Mice by Activating Browning of WAT, and May Be Also Related to the Regulation of Gut Microbiota

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to observe the preventive effect of nicotinamide riboside (NR) on fructose-induced lipid metabolism disorders and explore its mechanism.

METHODS

Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a 20% fructose solution and given 400 mg/kg NR daily by gavage for 10 weeks.

RESULTS

The results indicated that NR supplementation significantly reduced the body weight, liver weight, white adipose tissue (WAT) weight, serum, and hepatic lipid levels. NR upregulated the protein expression levels of sirtuin-1 (SIRT1), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), PR domain containing 16 (PRDM16), uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactiva-tor-1-alpha (PGC-1α), nuclear respiratory factor 1-encoding gene (NRF1), mitochondrial transcription factor A (TFAM), cluster of differentiation 137 (CD137), transmembrane protein 26 (TMEM26), and T-box 1 (TBX1). Moreover, NR enhanced the Actinobacteria and Enterorhabdus abundance. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that significant correlations exist between Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Erysipelotrichaceae with browning-related indicators.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, NR could alleviate lipid metabolic abnormalities induced by fructose through activating SIRT1/AMPK-mediated browning of WAT. The mechanism by which NR improves fructose-induced lipid metabolism disorders may also be associated with the modulation of intestinal flora.

Positive effects and mechanism of mulberry leaf extract on alleviating fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome in laying hens

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of mulberry leaf extract (MLE) on alleviating fatty liver hemorrhagic syndrome (FLHS) in laying hens. The 576 Jing Fen laying hens of 56 weeks of age with good health and similar weights (1.76 ± 0.17 kg) were randomly divided into 6 groups, with 8 replicates in each group and 12 chickens in each replicate. The experiment lasted 56 d. The control group was fed a corn-soybean meal diet. The FLHS group was fed a high energy-low protein (HELP) diet, and the other four experimental groups were fed HELP diets supplemented with 0.04, 0.40, 0.80, and 1.20% MLE, respectively. The results showed that HELP treatment significantly induced liver injury, which indicated that the FLHS model was successfully established. MLE supplementation could alleviate the FLHS by reducing the liver index, abdominal fat percentage, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) in the serum (P < 0.05), and subsequently increase the egg production rate (P < 0.05). The laying hens fed 0.8% MLE exhibited the greatest production performance (P < 0.05) and could improve serum lipid levels. In addition, the genes associated with fatty acid synthesis (ACC, HMGR and SREBP-1C) were downregulated (P < 0.05), and genes related to fatty acid oxidation (CPT1A, AMPK, and ATGL) were found to be upregulated (P < 0.05). Supplementation with 1.2% MLE significantly reduced the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Desulfurized Bacillus (P < 0.05) and significantly increased the relative abundance of Fecal Bacillus (P < 0.05). In conclusion, MLE may regulate the mRNA expression of lipid metabolism-related genes through the AMPK signaling pathway and improve cecal microbiota balance and serum lipid levels to alleviate FLHS in laying hens and subsequently improve egg production performance.

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf water extract attenuates type 2 diabetes mellitus by regulating gut microbiota dysbiosis, lipopolysaccharide elevation and endocannabinoid system disorder

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf is a well-known herbal medicine and has been used to treat diabetes in China for thousands of years. Our previous studies have proven mulberry leaf water extract (MLWE) could improve type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). However, it is still unclear whether MLWE could mitigate T2D by regulating gut microbiota dysbiosis and thereof improve intestinal permeability and metabolic dysfunction through modulation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and endocannabinoid system (eCBs).

AIM OF STUDY

This study aims to explore the potential mechanism of MLWE on the regulation of metabolic function disorder of T2D mice from the aspects of gut microbiota, LPS and eCBs.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Gut microbiota was analyzed by high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing. LPS, N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-ararchidonylglycerol (2-AG) contents in blood were determined by kits or liquid phase chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. The receptors, enzymes or tight junction protein related to eCBs or gut barrier were detected by RT-PCR or Western blot, respectively.

RESULTS

MLWE reduced the serum levels of AEA, 2-AG and LPS, decreased the expressions of N-acylphophatidylethanolamine phospholipase D, diacylglycerol lipase-α and cyclooxygenase 2, and increased the expressions of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), N-acylethanolamine-hydrolyzing acid amidase (NAAA), alpha/beta hydrolases domain 6/12 in the liver and ileum and occludin, monoacylglycerol lipase and cannabinoid receptor 1 in the ileum of T2D mice. Furthermore, MLWE could change the abundances of the genera including Acetatifactor, Anaerovorax, Bilophila, Colidextribacter, Dubosiella, Gastranaerophilales, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Oscillibacter and Rikenella related to LPS, AEA and/or 2-AG. Moreover, obvious improvement of MLWE treatment on serum AEA level, ileum occludin expression, and liver FAAH and NAAA expression could be observed in germ-free-mimic T2D mice.

CONCLUSION

MLWE could ameliorate intestinal permeability, inflammation, and glucose and lipid metabolism imbalance of T2D by regulating gut microbiota, LPS and eCBs.

A new direction in Chinese herbal medicine ameliorates for type 2 diabetes mellitus: Focus on the potential of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Diabetes is a common chronic disease. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has a history of several thousand years in the treatment of diabetes, and active components with hypoglycemic effects extracted from various CHM, such as polysaccharides, flavonoids, terpenes, and steroidal saponins, have been widely used in the treatment of diabetes.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Research exploring the potential of various CHM compounds to regulate the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex to improve type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The literature data were primarily obtained from authoritative databases such as PubMed, CNKI, Wanfang, and others within the last decade. The main keywords used include "type 2 diabetes mellitus", "Chinese medicine", "Chinese herbal medicine", "mitochondrial respiratory chain complex", and "mitochondrial dysfunction".

RESULTS

Chinese herbal medicine primarily regulates the activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes in various tissues such as liver, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, pancreatic islets, and small intestine. It improves cellular energy metabolism through hypoglycemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and lipid-modulating effects. Different components of CHM can regulate the same mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes, while the same components of a particular CHM can regulate different complex activities. The active components of CHM target different mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes, regulate their aberrant changes and effectively improve T2DM and its complications.

CONCLUSION

Chinese herbal medicine can modulate the function of mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes in various cell types and exert their hypoglycemic effects through various mechanisms. CHM has significant therapeutic potential in regulating mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes to improve T2DM, but further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms and conduct clinical trials to assess the safety and efficacy of these medications. This provides new perspectives and opportunities for personalized improvement and innovative developments in diabetes management.

Aging adipose tissue, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes

With the increase of population aging, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is also rising. Aging affects the tissues and organs of the whole body, which is the result of various physiological and pathological processes. Adipose tissue has a high degree of plasticity and changes with aging. Aging changes the distribution of adipose tissue, affects adipogenesis, browning characteristics, inflammatory status and adipokine secretion, and increases lipotoxicity. These age-dependent changes in adipose tissue are an important cause of insulin resistance and T2D. Understanding adipose tissue changes can help promote healthy aging process. This review summarizes changes in adipose tissue ascribable to aging, with a focus on the role of aging adipose tissue in insulin resistance and T2D.

Mulberry leaf flavonoids activate BAT and induce browning of WAT to improve type 2 diabetes via regulating the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf is a well-established traditional Chinese botanical and culinary resource. It has found widespread application in the management of diabetes. The bioactive constituents of mulberry leaf, specifically mulberry leaf flavonoids (MLFs), exhibit pronounced potential in the amelioration of type 2 diabetes (T2D). This potential is attributed to their ability to safeguard pancreatic β cells, enhance insulin resistance, and inhibit α-glucosidase activity. Our antecedent research findings underscore the substantial therapeutic efficacy of MLFs in treating T2D. However, the precise mechanistic underpinnings of MLF's anti-T2D effects remain the subject of inquiry. Activation of brown/beige adipocytes is a novel and promising strategy for T2D treatment. In the present study, our primary objective was to elucidate the impact of MLFs on adipose tissue browning in db/db mice and 3T3-L1 cells and elucidate its underlying mechanism. The results manifested that MLFs reduced body weight and food intake, alleviated hepatic steatosis, improved insulin sensitivity, and increased lipolysis and thermogenesis in db/db mice. Moreover, MLFs activated brown adipose tissue (BAT) and induced the browning of inguinal white adipose tissue (IWAT) and 3T3-L1 adipocytes by increasing the expressions of brown adipocyte marker genes and proteins such as uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and beige adipocyte marker genes such as transmembrane protein 26 (Tmem26), thereby promoting mitochondrial biogenesis. Mechanistically, MLFs facilitated the activation of BAT and the induction of WAT browning to ameliorate T2D primarily through the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) signaling pathway. These findings highlight the unique capacity of MLF to counteract T2D by enhancing BAT activation and inducing browning of IWAT, thereby ameliorating glucose and lipid metabolism disorders. As such, MLFs emerge as a prospective and innovative browning agent for the treatment of T2D.

Network pharmacology-based exploration identified the antiviral efficacy of Quercetin isolated from mulberry leaves against enterovirus 71 via the NF-κB signaling pathway

Introduction: Mulberry leaf (ML) is known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, historically documented in "Shen Nong's Materia Medica". This study aimed to investigate the effects of ML on enterovirus 71 (EV71) using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and in vitro experiments. Methods: We successfully pinpointed shared targets between mulberry leaves (ML) and the EV71 virus by leveraging online databases. Our investigation delved into the interaction among these identified targets, leading to the identification of pivotal components within ML that possess potent anti-EV71 properties. The ability of these components to bind to the targets was verified by molecular docking. Moreover, bioinformatics predictions were used to identify the signaling pathways involved. Finally, the mechanism behind its anti-EV71 action was confirmed through in vitro experiments. Results: Our investigation uncovered 25 active components in ML that targeted 231 specific genes. Of these genes, 29 correlated with the targets of EV71. Quercetin, a major ingredient in ML, was associated with 25 of these genes. According to the molecular docking results, Quercetin has a high binding affinity to the targets of ML and EV71. According to the KEGG pathway analysis, the antiviral effect of Quercetin against EV71 was found to be closely related to the NF-κB signaling pathway. The results of immunofluorescence and Western blotting showed that Quercetin significantly reduced the expression levels of VP1, TNF-α, and IL-1β in EV71-infected human rhabdomyosarcoma cells. The phosphorylation level of NF-κB p65 was reduced, and the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway was suppressed by Quercetin. Furthermore, our results showed that Quercetin downregulated the expression of JNK, ERK, and p38 and their phosphorylation levels due to EV71 infection. Conclusion: With these findings in mind, we can conclude that inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway is a critical mechanism through which Quercetin exerts its anti-EV71 effectiveness.

Identifying potential therapeutic targets of mulberry leaf extract for the treatment of type 2 diabetes: a TMT-based quantitative proteomic analysis

BACKGROUND

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf, as a medicinal and food homologous traditional Chinese medicine, has a clear therapeutic effect on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), yet its underlying mechanisms have not been totally clarified. The study aimed to explore the mechanism of mulberry leaf in the treatment of T2DM through tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics analysis of skeletal muscle.

METHODS

The anti-diabetic activity of mulberry leaf extract (MLE) was evaluated by using streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats at a dose of 4.0 g crude drug /kg p.o. daily for 8 weeks. Fasting blood glucose, body weight, food and water intake were monitored at specific intervals, and oral glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test were conducted at the 7th and 8th week respectively. At the end of the experiment, levels of glycated hemoglobin A1c, insulin, free fat acid, leptin, adiponectin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were assessed and the pathological changes of rat skeletal muscle were observed by HE staining. TMT-based quantitative proteomic analysis of skeletal muscle and bioinformatics analysis were performed and differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were validated by western blot. The interactions between the components of MLE and DEPs were further assessed using molecular docking.

RESULTS

After 8 weeks of MLE intervention, the clinical indications of T2DM such as body weight, food and water intake of rats were improved to a certain extent, while insulin sensitivity was increased and glycemic control was improved. Serum lipid profiles were significantly reduced, and the skeletal muscle fiber gap and atrophy were alleviated. Proteomic analysis of skeletal muscle showed that MLE treatment reversed 19 DEPs in T2DM rats, regulated cholesterol metabolism, fat digestion and absorption, vitamin digestion and absorption and ferroptosis signaling pathways. Key differential proteins Apolipoprotein A-1 (ApoA1) and ApoA4 were successfully validated by western blot and exhibited strong binding activity to the MLE's ingredients.

CONCLUSIONS

This study first provided skeletal muscle proteomic changes in T2DM rats before and after MLE treatment, which may help us understand the molecular mechanisms, and provide a foundation for developing potential therapeutic targets of anti-T2DM of MLE.

The relationship between gut microbiota and susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus in rats

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the susceptibility to type 2 diabetes and gut microbiota in rats and to explore the potential mechanism involved.

METHODS

Thirty-two SPF-grade SD rats were raised as donor rats, and divided into control, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM, fasting blood glucose ≥ 11.1 mmol/L), and Non-T2DM (fasting blood glucose < 11.1 mmol/L) groups. Feces were collected and prepared as fecal bacteria supernatants Diab (fecal bacteria supernatant of T2DM group rats), Non (fecal bacteria supernatant of Non-T2DM group rats), and Con (fecal bacteria supernatant of control group rats). Another seventy-nine SPF-grade SD rats were separated into normal saline (NS) and antibiotics (ABX) groups and given normal saline and antibiotics solutions, respectively. In addition, the ABX group rats were randomly separated into ABX-ord (fed with a 4-week ordinary diet), ABX-fat (fed with a 4-week high-fat diet and STZ ip), FMT-Diab (with transplanted fecal bacteria supernatant Diab and fed with a 4-week high-fat diet and STZ ip), FMT-Non (with transplanted fecal bacteria supernatant Non and fed with a 4-week high-fat diet and STZ ip), and FMT-Con (with transplanted fecal bacteria supernatant Con and fed with a 4-week high-fat diet and STZ ip) groups. Furthermore, the NS group was randomly divided into NS-ord (fed with a 4-week ordinary diet) and NS-fat (fed with a 4-week high-fat diet and STZ ip) groups. After this, the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the feces were detected using gas chromatography, and the gut microbiota were detected using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Finally, G protein-coupled receptor 41 (GPR41) and GPR43 were detected by western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

G__Ruminococcus_gnavus_group were more abundant in the FMT-Diab group compared to the ABX-fat and FMT-Non groups. The levels of blood glucose, serum insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were also higher in the FMT-Diab group compared to those of the ABX-fat group. Compared to the ABX-fat group, both the FMT-Diab and FMT-Non groups had higher contents of acetic and butyric acid, and the expression of GPR41/43 were significantly higher as well.

CONCLUSIONS

G__Ruminococcus_gnavus_group might make rats more susceptible to T2DM; T2DM-susceptible flora transplantation increased the susceptibility to T2DM in rats. Additionally, gut microbiota-SCFAs-GPR41/43 may play a role in the development of T2DM. Lowering blood glucose by regulating gut microbiota may therefore become a new strategy for the treatment of T2DM in humans.

Clinical potential and mechanistic insights of mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus: Focusing on gut microbiota, inflammation, and metabolism

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Natural herbs are gradually gaining recognition for their efficacy and safety in preventing diabetes and improving quality of life. Morus alba L. is a plant widely grown in Asia and is a traditional Chinese herb with a long history of use. Furthermore, several parts of Morus alba L. have been found to have significant health benefits. In particular, mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaves (ML) have been shown in human and animal studies to be promising hypoglycemic agents that can reduce or prevent glucolipid metabolism disorders caused by imbalances in the gut microbiota, inflammation, and oxidative stress and have demonstrated significant improvements in glucose metabolism-related markers, effectively lowering blood glucose, and reducing hyperglycemia-induced target organ damage.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This review briefly summarizes the methods for obtaining ML's bioactive components, elaborates on the clinical potential of the relevant components in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and focuses on the therapeutic mechanisms of gut microbiota, inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolism, to provide more inspiration and directions for future research in the field of traditional natural plants for the management of T2DM and its complications.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Research on ML and its bioactive components was mainly performed using electronic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceNet, to ensure the review's quality. In addition, master's and doctoral theses and ancient documents were consulted.

RESULTS

In clinical studies, we found that ML could effectively reduce blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance in T2DM patients. Furthermore, many in vitro and in vivo experiments have found that ML is involved in various pathways that regulate glucolipid metabolism and resist diabetes while alleviating liver and kidney damage.

CONCLUSIONS

As a potential natural anti-diabetic phytomedicine, an in-depth study of ML can provide new ideas and valuable references for applying traditional Chinese medicine to treat T2DM. While continuously exploring its clinical efficacy and therapeutic mechanism, the extraction method should be optimized to improve the efficacy of the bioactive components. in addition, further research on the dose-response relationship of drugs to determine the effective dose range is required.

Quercetin 3-O-glucuronide-rich lotus leaf extract promotes a Brown-fat-phenotype in C3H10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells

Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) is an aquatic perennial crop planted worldwide and its leaf (also called "He-Ye") has therapeutic effects on obesity. However, whether the underlying mechanism leads to increased energy expenditure by activation of brown adipocytes has not been clarified. Here, murine C₃H₁₀T_1/2 mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were employed to investigate the effects of ethanol extracts from lotus leaf (LLE) on brown adipocytes formation and the underlying molecular mechanisms. The results showed LLE was rich in polyphenols (383.7 mg/g) and flavonoids (178.3 mg/g), with quercetin 3-O-glucuronide (Q3G) the most abundant (128.2 μg/mg). In LLE-treated C₃H₁₀T_1/2 MSCs, the expressions of lipolytic factors (e.g., ATGL, HSL, and ABHD5) and brown regulators (e.g., Sirt1, PGC-1α, Cidea, and UCP1) were significantly upregulated compared to that in the untreated MSCs. Furthermore, LLE promoted mitochondrial biogenesis and fatty acid β-oxidation, as evidenced by increases in the expression of Tfam, Cox7A, CoxIV, Cox2, Pparα, and Adrb3. Likewise, enhanced browning and mitochondrial biogenesis were also observed in Q3G-stimulated cells. Importantly, LLE and Q3G induced phosphorylation of AMPK accompanied by a remarkable increase in the brown fat marker UCP1, while pretreatment with Compound C (an AMPK inhibitor) reversed these changes. Moreover, stimulating LLE or Q3G-treated cells with CL316243 (a beta3-AR agonist) increased p-AMPKα/AMPKα ratio and UCP1 protein expression, indicating β3-AR/AMPK signaling may involve in this process. Collectively, these observations suggested that LLE, especially the component Q3G, stimulates thermogenesis by activating brown adipocytes, which may involve the β3-AR/AMPK signaling pathway.

Mulberry plant as a source of functional food with therapeutic and nutritional applications: A review

Medicinal plants from the family Moraceae have diverse applications in agriculture, cosmetics, food, and the pharmaceutical industry. Their extensive spectrum of pharmacological activity for treating numerous inflammatory illnesses, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and gastrointestinal problems reflects their biological and therapeutic value. This article summarizes the molecular mechanisms related to the biological implications of mulberry extracts, fractions, and isolated bioactive compounds from different parts in various health-related ailments. Additionally, the food industry and animal nutrition applications are summarized. Phytochemicals such as steroids, saponins, alkaloids, glycosides, polysaccharides, and phenolic compounds including terpenoids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and tannins are found in this medicinal plant. The aqueous, ethanolic, and methanolic extracts, as well as bioactive compounds, have anti-oxidative, hypoglycemic, nephroprotective, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, anti-mutagenic, hepatoprotective, anthelmintic, immune-modulatory, cardioprotective, and skin protecting activities. Mulberry supplementation in food products improves the stability of phenolics, sensory properties, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial properties. Mulberry leaves in animal feed increase the nutrient digestibility, growth parameters, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This review summarized the in vivo and in vitro biological activities of the mulberry and isolated constituents in various health conditions. In addition, the food uses such as antioxidant potential, antimicrobial, and physicochemical properties were discussed. Furthermore, in vivo studies revealed mulberry as a significant protein source and its flavonoids as potential animal foliage.

Identification and Antioxidant Capacity of Free and Bound Phenolics in Six Varieties of Mulberry Seeds Using UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS

Mulberry seeds are a byproduct of juice processing and may be an important resource for its abundant compounds. In this study, we analyzed the qualitative composition of free and bound phenolics from six varieties of mulberry seeds using UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. Free phenolics (FPs) and bound phenolics (BPs) were measured using the Folin–Ciocalteu method; antioxidant capacity was determined by measuring 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging activity, using the ferric reducing antioxidant power assay. A total of 28 free and 11 bound phenolics were extracted and identified, wherein five free phenolics were found in mulberry matrices for the first time. The six varieties of mulberry seeds exhibited higher content of FPs than BPs, and there was a correlation between the phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. Consequently, three varieties were selected for their high phenolic content and antioxidant capacity. This study might offer a theoretical basis for the utilization of mulberry seed.

Therapeutic mechanisms of mulberry leaves in type 2 diabetes based on metabolomics

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is considered as one of the most significant metabolic syndromes worldwide, and the long-term use of the drugs already on the market for T2D often gives rise to some side effects. The mulberry leaf (ML), Morus alba L., has advantages in terms of its comprehensive therapeutic efficacy, which are characterized as multicomponent, multitarget, multipathway, and matching with the complex pathological mechanisms of diabetes.

Methods: T2D rats were established by a high-fat diet combined with an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin; an evaluation of the hypoglycemic effects of the ML in combination with fasting blood glucose and other indicators, in addition to the utilization of metabolomics technology, was performed to analysis the metabolite changes in serum of rats.

Results: MLs significantly reduced the fasting blood glucose of T2D rats, while improving the symptoms of polyphagia and polyuria. ML treatment altered the levels of various metabolites in the serum of T2D rats, which are involved in multiple metabolic pathways (amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and lipid metabolism), played a role in antioxidative stress and anti-inflammation, modulated immune and gluconeogenesis processes, and improved obesity as well as insulin resistance (IR).

Conclusion: The ML contains a variety of chemical components, and metabolomic results have shown that MLs regulate multiple metabolic pathways to exert hypoglycemic effects, suggesting that MLs may have great promise in the development of new hypoglycemic drugs.

Rutin-activated adipose tissue thermogenesis is correlated with increased intestinal short-chain fatty acid levels

The activation of thermogenic programs in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT) provides a promising approach to increasing energy expenditure during obesity and diabetes treatment. Although evidence has been found that rutin activates BAT against obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), its potential mechanism is not completely understood. In this study, we focused on the potential modulating effect of rutin on short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and the thermogenesis of BAT and WAT, aiming to elucidate the molecular mechanism of rutin in the treatment of obesity and T2DM. The results showed that rutin could significantly reduce the body weight and fasting blood glucose, inhibit fat accumulation, relieve hepatic steatosis and ameliorate the disorder of glycolipid metabolism in db/db mice. Moreover, rutin also increased the expression of uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) and other thermogenic genes and proteins in BAT and inguinal WAT (IWAT), indicating that rutin activated BAT and induced browning of IWAT. Importantly, rutin markedly enhanced the concentration of SCFAs (acetate, propionate and butyrate) and SCFA-producing enzymes (acetate kinase (ACK), methylmalonyl-CoA decarboxylase (MMD) and butyryl-CoA (BUT)) in feces of db/db mice. In addition, rutin significantly increased the mRNA expression of monocarboxylate transporter 1 (Mct1), catabolic enzyme acyl-CoA medium-chain synthetase 3 (Acsm3), carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1α (Cpt-1α) and Cpt-1β genes in BAT and IWAT of db/db mice, which is conducive to inducing adipocyte thermogenesis. In summary, our findings revealed that rutin played a variety of regulatory roles in improving glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, reducing hepatic steatosis, inducing browning of IWAT and activating BAT, which has potential therapeutic significance for the treatment of obesity and T2DM. Mechanistically, rutin activates the thermogenesis of BAT and IWAT, which may be associated with increasing the concentration of SCFAs.

PRDM16 Regulating Adipocyte Transformation and Thermogenesis: A Promising Therapeutic Target for Obesity and Diabetes

Given that obesity and diabetes have been major public health concerns and that disease morbidities have been rising continuously, effective treatment for these diseases is urgently needed. Because adipose tissue metabolism is involved in the progression of obesity and diabetes, it might be efficient to target adipocyte metabolic pathways. Positive regulatory domain zinc finger region protein 16 (PRDM16), a transcription factor that is highly expressed in adipocytes, plays a key role in adipose tissue metabolism, such as the browning and thermogenesis of adipocytes, the beigeing of adipocytes, the adipogenic differentiation of myoblasts, and the conversion of visceral adipocytes to subcutaneous adipocytes. Furthermore, clinical and basic studies have shown that the expression of PRDM16 is associated with obesity and diabetes and that PRDM16 signaling participates in the treatment of the two diseases. For example, metformin promotes thermogenesis and alleviates obesity by activating the AMPK/αKG/PRDM16 signaling pathway; rosiglitazone alleviates obesity under the synergistic effect of PRDM16; resveratrol plays an antiobesity role by inducing the expression of PRDM16; liraglupeptide improves insulin resistance by inducing the expression of PRDM16; and mulberry leaves play an anti-inflammatory and antidiabetes role by activating the expression of brown fat cell marker genes (including PRDM16). In this review, we summarize the evidence of PRDM16 involvement in the progression of obesity and diabetes and that PRDM16 may be a promising therapy for obesity and diabetes.