Clitorin ameliorates western diet-induced hepatic steatosis by regulating lipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation in vivo and in vitro

Investigating the separation and purification of flavonoids extracted from foxtail millet, with an in-depth study on its functions in alleviating metabolic syndrome through suppressing lipid absorption

BACKGROUND

Rising living standards alongside high-fat diets (HFDs) have fueled the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS), posing a significant health challenge with limited effective therapies. Foxtail millet is recognized as a health food with rich flavonoids. The objective of this work is to isolate and purify flavonoids from foxtail millet, which have the potential to alleviate MetS and to clarify their mechanism.

RESULTS

Our research combined single-factor experiments and a Box-Behnken design to optimize the extraction processes for millet whole-grain flavonoids (MWGFs) followed by the purification using D101 resin. Components were eluted using varied alcohol concentrations. Additionally, the investigation revealed that MWGF30 notably decreased triglyceride (TG) levels, mitigated lipid uptake in Caco-2 cells induced by free fatty acids, and suppressed lipid absorption in HFD mice while modulating TG, high‑ and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and total cholesterol levels. Further investigation uncovered that MWGF30 achieved this lipid uptake reduction ability by downregulating the CD36 protein level.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, MWGF30 demonstrated a potent ability to regulate blood lipids and curb lipid absorption, enhancing our comprehension of millet's benefits and furnishing a scientifically grounded dietary approach for MetS. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

Unlocking Cholesterol Metabolism in Metabolic-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: Molecular Targets and Natural Product Interventions

Metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, represents a growing global health concern. The intricate pathogenesis of MASLD, driven by genetic, metabolic, epigenetic, and environmental factors, leads to considerable clinical variability. Dysregulation of hepatic lipid metabolism, particularly cholesterol homeostasis, is a critical factor in the progression of MASLD and its more severe form, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). This review elucidates the multifaceted roles of cholesterol metabolism in MASLD, focusing on its absorption, transportation, biosynthesis, efflux, and conversion. We highlight recent advancements in understanding these processes and explore the therapeutic potential of natural products such as curcumin, berberine, and resveratrol in modulating cholesterol metabolism. By targeting key molecular pathways, these natural products offer promising strategies for MASLD management. Finally, this review also covers the clinical studies of natural products in MASLD, providing new insights for future research and clinical applications.

Bioprotective Role of Phytocompounds Against the Pathogenesis of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease to Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis: Unravelling Underlying Molecular Mechanisms

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with a global prevalence of 25%, continues to escalate, creating noteworthy concerns towards the global health burden. NAFLD causes triglycerides and free fatty acids to build up in the liver. The excessive fat build-up causes inflammation and damages the healthy hepatocytes, leading to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Dietary habits, obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia influence NAFLD progression. The disease burden is complicated due to the paucity of therapeutic interventions. Obeticholic acid is the only approved therapeutic agent for NAFLD. With more scientific enterprise being directed towards the understanding of the underlying mechanisms of NAFLD, novel targets like lipid synthase, farnesoid X receptor signalling, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors associated with inflammatory signalling, and hepatocellular injury have played a crucial role in the progression of NAFLD to NASH. Phytocompounds have shown promising results in modulating hepatic lipid metabolism and de novo lipogenesis, suggesting their possible role in managing NAFLD. This review discusses the ameliorative role of different classes of phytochemicals with molecular mechanisms in different cell lines and established animal models. These compounds may lead to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for NAFLD progression to NASH. This review also deliberates on phytomolecules undergoing clinical trials for effective management of NAFLD.

Anti-obesity effect of Lythri herba water extracts in vitro and in vivo

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Lythrum salicaria L., also called purple loosestrife, has traditionally been used as a medicinal plant to treat internal dysfunction, such as gastrointestinal disorders or hemorrhages. It contains numerous phytochemical compounds, including orientin, and has been reported to have anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The effects of Lythrum salicaria L. on obesity have not been explored. Therefore, we investigated the anti-obesity effects of Lythri Herba, the aerial part of this plant, in vitro and in vivo.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using distilled water, Lythri Herba water extracts (LHWE) were prepared by extracting Lythri Herba at 100°Ϲ. The contents of orientin in LHWE were identified using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) analysis. To evaluate the anti-obesity effect of LHWE, 3T3-L1 adipocytes and a high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice were used. Oil-red O staining was performed to examine the anti-adipogenic effects of LHWE in vitro. The histological changes in epididymal white adipose tissue (epiWAT) by LHWE were examined using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Serum leptin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Specific quantification kits measured total cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the serum. The relative fold induction of protein and mRNA was determined using western blot and Quantitative real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

HPLC analysis demonstrated the presence of orientin in LHWE. LHWE treatment markedly reduced lipid accumulation in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. LHWE administration also conferred resistance to HFD-induced weight gain in mice and reduced epiWAT mass. Mechanistically, LHWE significantly decreased lipogenesis by downregulating lipoprotein lipase (LPL), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, ATP-citrate lyase, fatty acid synthase, stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1, sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1, and carbohydrate response element binding protein expression and increased the expression of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation (FAO), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and epiWAT. Furthermore, LHWE significantly up-regulated the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and epiWAT.

CONCLUSION

LHWE decreases white adipogenesis in vitro and HFD-induced weight gain in vivo, which is associated with reduced lipogenesis and enhanced FAO.

A herb mixture to ameliorate non-alcoholic fatty liver in rats fed a high-fat diet

This study was performed to investigate the effects of an herb extract mixture (HM) in ameliorating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The HM contained equal amounts of 70% ethanol extracts from Zingiber officinale, Centella asiatica, and Boehmeria nivea. In vitro, the HM significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in oleic acid-stimulated HepG2 cells. We further evaluated the anti-NAFLD activities of the HM in vivo in an animal model. Rats were fed two different amounts of the HM (50 and 200 mg/kg body weight) along with a high-fat diet for 6 weeks. HM supplementation reduced liver weight; epididymal, peri-renal, and intra-abdominal fat content; and serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels as well as increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in a dose-dependent manner. Histological evaluation of liver specimens further demonstrated that administration of HM significantly prevented hepatic lipid accumulation and subsequent development of hepatic steatosis. These findings suggest that HM can be used as an alternative nutraceutical for ameliorating NAFLD.

Blood pressure and the kidney cortex transcriptome response to high-sodium diet challenge in female nonhuman primates

Blood pressure (BP) is influenced by genetic variation and sodium intake with sex-specific differences; however, studies to identify renal molecular mechanisms underlying the influence of sodium intake on BP in nonhuman primates (NHP) have focused on males. To address the gap in our understanding of molecular mechanisms regulating BP in female primates, we studied sodium-naïve female baboons (n = 7) fed a high-sodium (HS) diet for 6 wk. We hypothesized that in female baboons variation in renal transcriptional networks correlates with variation in BP response to a high-sodium diet. BP was continuously measured for 64-h periods throughout the study by implantable telemetry devices. Sodium intake, blood samples for clinical chemistries, and ultrasound-guided kidney biopsies were collected before and after the HS diet for RNA-Seq and bioinformatic analyses. We found that on the LS diet but not the HS diet, sodium intake and serum 17 β-estradiol concentration correlated with BP. Furthermore, kidney transcriptomes differed by diet-unbiased weighted gene coexpression network analysis revealed modules of genes correlated with BP on the HS diet but not the LS diet. Our results showed variation in BP on the HS diet correlated with variation in novel kidney gene networks regulated by ESR1 and MYC; i.e., these regulators have not been associated with BP regulation in male humans or rodents. Validation of the mechanisms underlying regulation of BP-associated gene networks in female NHP will inform better therapies toward greater precision medicine for women.