The effects of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) on anthropometric indices in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

There is controversial data on the impacts of bitter melon (Momordica charantia) supplementations on anthropometric indices. Thus, we aimed to clarify this role of bitter melon through a systematic review, and meta-analysis of the trials. All clinical trials conducted on the impact of bitter melon on anthropometric indices were published until August 2023 in PubMed, Web of Sciences, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library web databases included. Overall, 10 studies with 448 individuals were included in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of 10 trials with 448 participants revealed no significant reductions in body weight (BW) (WMD: 0.04 Kg; 95 %CI: -0.16-0.25; P =0.651), body mass index (BMI) (WMD: -0.18 kg/m2; 95 %CI: -0.43-0.07; P =0.171), waist circumference (WC) (WMD: -0.95 cm; 95 % CI: -3.05-1.16; p =0.372), and percentage of body fat (PBF) (WMD: -0.99; 95 % CI: -2.33-0.35; p =0.141) following bitter melon supplementation. There was no significant impact of bitter melon supplementation on BW, BMI, WC, and PBF. More large-scale and high-quality RCTs are necessary to confirm these results.

Regulatory effect of β-glucan secreted by Rhizobium pusense on triglyceride metabolism and their relationships with the modulation of intestinal microbiota in mice fed a high-fat diet

The present study investigated the regulatory effects of β-glucan secreted by Rhizobium pusense (RPG) on triglyceride metabolism and gut microbiota in mice fed a high-fat diet. The results indicated that supplementation with RPG significantly reduced body weight gain, blood glucose levels, and the tissue index of epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). Conversely, it increased the tissue index of brown adipose tissue (BAT). Furthermore, RPG supplementation effectively decreased the levels of total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the serum. Regarding its influence on the triglyceride (TG) mechanism, RPG decreased TG levels in both serum and liver, while elevating TG levels in feces. Moreover, it moderated the composition of gut microbiota in mice fed a high-fat diet, particularly altering functionally relevant intestinal microbial phylotypes, leading to enhanced levels of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces. Additionally, RPG treatment regulated the mRNA and protein levels of genes responsible for TG metabolism in the AMPK pathway, indicating an impact on TG synthesis and excretion in the liver. Pearson's correlation network analysis demonstrated strong correlations between key microbial phylotypes responsive to RPG intervention and parameters associated with TG metabolic disorders. SCFA levels were also found to correlate with the mRNA expression levels of genes involved in TG metabolism. Finally, lipidomics analyses were performed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of RPG intervention (glycerophospholipid metabolic pathway) and to identify potential lipid biomarkers, such as TG (18:2/20:4/22:6), TG (18:1/20:4/22:6), TG (20:1/18:1/22:4), PC (17:0/20:4), TG (18:1/20:4/22:5), PC (22:4/22:6), PC (20:0/22:6), PC (20:0e/20:4), DG (18:3e/18:2), DG (10:0/18:2), DG (18:2/14:2), TG (10:0/18:2/20:4), TG (16:1/14:3/18:2) and TG (16:0/14:2/22:6). Overall, our results suggest that RPG could activate the hepatic AMPK signaling pathway by regulating gut microbiota and metabolites through gut-liver crosstalk to exert a lipid-lowering effect in mice fed a high-fat diet and improve obesity.

Extraction, structures, biological effects and potential mechanisms of Momordica charantia polysaccharides: A review

Momordica charantia L. is a kind of vegetable with medicinal value. As the main component of the vegetable, Momordica charantia polysaccharides (MCPs) mainly consist of galactose, galacturonic acid, xylose, rhamnose, mannose and the molecular weight range is 4.33 × 103-1.16 × 106 Da. MCPs have been found to have various biological activities in recent years, such as anti-oxidation, anti-diabetes, anti-brain injury, anti-obesity, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammation. In this review, we systematically summarized the extraction methods, structural characteristics and physicochemical properties of MCPs. Especially MCPs modulate gut microbiota and cause the alterations of metabolic products, which can regulate different signaling pathways and target gene expressions to exert various functions. Meanwhile, the potential structure-activity relationships of MCPs were analyzed to provide a scientific basis for better development or modification of MCPs. Future researches on MCPs should focus on industrial extraction and molecular mechanisms. In East Asia, Momordica charantia L. is used as both food and medicine. It is not clear whether MCP has its unique biological effects. Further study on the difference between MCPs and other food-derived polysaccharides will be helpful to the development and potential application of Momordica charantia L.

Extraction methods, multiple biological activities, and related mechanisms of Momordica charantia polysaccharide: A review

Momordica Charantia Polysaccharide (MCP) is a key bioactive compound derived from bitter melon fruit. This review summarizes the advancements in MCP research, including extraction techniques, biological activities, and mechanisms. MCP can be extracted using various methods, and has demonstrated hypoglycemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunoregulatory effects. Research suggests that MCP may regulate metabolic enzymes, oxidative stress reactions, and inflammatory pathways. The review highlights the potential applications of MCP in areas such as anti-diabetes, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunoregulatory research. Future research should focus on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of MCP and optimizing extraction methods. This review provides a foundation for further research and utilization of MCP.

Taraxacum mongolicum polysaccharide promotes white adipocyte browning by regulating miR-134-3p via Akt/GSK-3β signalling

In recent years, the incidence of obesity has gradually increased due to high calorie diets and lack of exercise. Reducing energy intake or increasing energy expenditure is the most effective way to promote weight loss and reduce lipid levels. Activated beige adipocytes can increase energy consumption in the body, and inducing conversion of white adipocytes to brown can prevent and treat obesity. Taraxacum mongolicum polysaccharide (TMP) is a plant polysaccharide that has been widely used for its anti-tumour and antioxidant properties. However, little is known about the role of TMP in the browning of sheep white adipose tissue. The aim of this study was to explore the potential mechanism of TMP and miR-134-3p in regulating the browning of sheep white adipocytes, as well as the regulatory relationship between TMP and miR-134-3p. Our results showed that TMP had a positive regulatory effect on the proliferation and browning of sheep white adipocytes. In addition, miR-134-3p significantly inhibited browning activity and AKT/GSK-3β signalling. Importantly, we found that TMP function required miR-134-3p mediation in the browning of sheep white adipocytes. Overall, our results suggested that TMP recruited beige adipocytes by regulating AKT/GSK-3β signalling via miR-134-3p.

Non-digestible oligosaccharides-based prebiotics to ameliorate obesity: Overview of experimental evidence and future perspectives

The diverse populations reportedly suffer from obesity on a global scale, and inconclusive evidence has indicated that both environmental and genetic factors are associated with obesity development. Therefore, a need exists to examine potential therapeutic or prophylactic molecules for obesity treatment. Prebiotics with non-digestible oligosaccharides (NDOs) have the potential to treat obesity. A limited number of prebiotic NDOs have demonstrated their ability as a convincing therapeutic solution to encounter obesity through various mechanisms, viz., stimulating beneficial microorganisms, reducing the population of pathogenic microorganisms, and also improving lipid metabolism and glucose homeostasis. NDOs include pectic-oligosaccharides, fructo-oligosaccharides, xylo-oligosaccharides, isomalto-oligosaccharides, manno-oligosaccharides and other oligosaccharides which significantly influence the overall human health by different mechanisms. This review provides the treatment of obesity benefits by incorporating these prebiotic NDOs, according to established scientific research, which shows their good effects extend beyond the colon.

Bioactive polysaccharides from Momordica charantia as functional ingredients: a review of their extraction, bioactivities, structural-activity relationships, and application prospects

Momordica charantia L. is a well-known medicine and food homology plant with high pharmaceutical and nutritional values. Polysaccharides are carbohydrate polymers connected by glycosidic bonds, one of the key functional ingredients of M. charantia. Recently, M. charantia polysaccharides (MCPs) have attracted much attention from industries and researchers due to their anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, anti-diabetes, anti-bacteria, immunomodulatory, neuroprotection, and organ protection activities. However, the development and utilization of MCPs-based functional foods and medicines were hindered by the lack of a deeper understanding of the structure-activity relationship (SAR), structural modification, applications, and safety of MCPs. Herein, we provide an overview of the extraction, purification, structural characterization, bioactivities, and mechanisms of MCPs. Besides, SAR, toxicities, application, and influences of the modification associated with bioactivities are spotlighted, and the potential development and future study direction are scrutinized. This review provides knowledge and research underpinnings for the further research and application of MCPs as therapeutic agents and functional food additives.

Anti-Obesity Effect and Mechanism of Chitooligosaccharides Were Revealed Based on Lipidomics in Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Chitooligosaccharide (COS) is a natural product from the ocean, and while many studies have reported its important role in metabolic diseases, no study has systematically elaborated the anti-obesity effect and mechanism of COS. Herein, COSM (MW ≤ 3000 Da) was administered to diet-induced obese mice by oral gavage once daily for eight weeks. The results show that COSM administration reduced body weight; slowed weight gain; reduced serum Glu, insulin, NEFA, TC, TG, and LDL-C levels; increased serum HSL and HDL-C levels; improved inflammation; and reduced lipid droplet size in adipose tissue. Further lipidomic analysis of adipose tissue revealed that 31 lipid species are considered to be underlying lipid biomarkers in COS therapy. These lipids are mainly enriched in pathways involving insulin resistance, thermogenesis, cholesterol metabolism, glyceride metabolism and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), which sheds light on the weight loss mechanism of COS. The Western blot assay demonstrated that COSM intervention can improve insulin resistance, inhibit de novo synthesis, and promote thermogenesis and β-oxidation in mitochondria by the AMPK pathway, thereby alleviating high-fat diet-induced obesity. In short, our study can provide a more comprehensive direction for the application of COS in obesity based on molecular markers.

Nobiletin Intake Attenuates Hepatic Lipid Profiling and Oxidative Stress in HFD-Induced Nonalcoholic-Fatty-Liver-Disease Mice

Nobiletin (NOB) is a naturally occurring compound, commonly found in citrus peel, that shows hepatoprotective and lipid-reducing effects. However, the lipid biomarkers and the potential improvement mechanisms have not been adequately explored. Therefore, we investigated the ameliorative effect and the molecular mechanism of NOB on NAFLD induced by a high-fat diet in mice. The results showed that supplementation with NOB over 12 weeks markedly improved glucose tolerance, serum lipid profiles, inflammatory factors, hepatic steatosis, and oxidative stress. These beneficial effects were mainly related to reduced levels of potential lipid biomarkers including free fatty acids, diacylglycerols, triacylglycerols, and cholesteryl esters according to hepatic lipidomic analysis. Twenty lipids, including DGs and phosphatidylcholines, were identified as potential lipid biomarkers. Furthermore, RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis indicated that NOB inhibited the expression of lipogenesis-related factors such as SREBP-1c, SCD-1, and FAS, and upregulated the expression of lipid oxidation (PPARα) and cholesterol conversion (LXRα, CYP7A1, and CYP27A1) genes as well as antioxidation-related factors (Nucl-Nrf2, NQO1, HO-1, and GCLC), indicating that NOB intake may reduce lipid biosynthesis and increase lipid consumption to improve hepatic steatosis and oxidative stress. This study is beneficial for understanding the ameliorative effects of NOB on NAFLD.

Compound dark tea ameliorates obesity and hepatic steatosis and modulates the gut microbiota in mice

Dark tea is a fermented tea that plays a role in regulating the homeostasis of intestinal microorganisms. Previous studies have found that dark tea can improve obesity and has a lipid-lowering effect. In this study, green tea, Ilex latifolia Thunb (kuding tea) and Momordica grosvenori (Luo Han Guo) were added to a new compound dark tea (CDT), to improve the taste and health of this beverage. High-fat diet-fed C57BL/6J mice were treated with low- (6 mg/mL) or high- (12 mg/mL) concentrations of CDT for 18 weeks to assess their effect on lipid metabolism. Our results suggest that low- and high-concentrations of CDT could reduce body weight by 15 and 16% and by 44 and 38% of body fat, respectively, by attenuating body weight gain and fat accumulation, improving glucose tolerance, alleviating metabolic endotoxemia, and regulating the mRNA expression levels of lipid metabolism-related genes. In addition, low concentrations of CDT were able to reduce the abundance of Desulfovibrio, which is positively associated with obesity, and increase the abundance of Ruminococcus, which are negatively associated with obesity. This study demonstrates the effect of CDT on ameliorating lipid metabolism and provides new insights into the research and development of functional tea beverages.

Untargeted lipidomics and metagenomics reveal the mechanism of aspirin eugenol ester relieving hyperlipidemia in ApoE-/- mice

Hyperlipidemia is induced by abnormal lipid metabolism, which can cause the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases and lead to grievous injury to health. Studies showed that AEE had a significant therapeutic effect on hyperlipidemia and is likely to be associated with the up-regulation of cholesterol 7-alpha hydroxylase (CYP7A1), the key enzyme for cholesterol conversion to bile acids, but no research confirmed whether the effect of AEE on hyperlipidemia was related to the gut microbiota and liver lipids. At the same time, more and more studies have shown that gut microbiota and lipids are closely related to hyperlipidemia. Hence, in this study, we investigated the effects of AEE on liver lipids through LC-MS-based untargeted lipidomics and the effects of AEE on gut microbiota based on cecal contents metagenomics by Illumina sequencing in HFD-induced hyperlipidemia ApoE-/- mice at the overall level. The results of lipidomics showed that AEE relieved hyperlipidemia by decreasing the concentration of 10 PEs and 12 SMs in the liver and regulating the pathways of glycerophospholipid metabolic pathway, sphingolipid signaling pathway, and NF-kB signaling pathway. The results of metagenomics concluded that AEE treatment changed the composition of gut microbiota and regulated the functions of lipid transport and metabolism, as well as the metabolism of bile acids and secondary bile acids. The results of the joint analysis between lipidomics and metagenomics showed that the abundance of Verrucomicrobia, Verrucomicrobiales, Candidatus_Gastranaerophilales, and Candidatus_Melainabacteria was significantly positively correlated with the concentration of SM (d18:1/18:0) and PE (16:0/18:1) in the process of AEE alleviating hyperlipidemia in mice. In conclusion, these results suggested that the effect of AEE on hyperlipidemia was closely related to the gut microbiota by the change of bile acids and liver lipids.

Lactobacillus plantarum 23-1 improves intestinal inflammation and barrier function through the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in obese mice

As a natural active ingredient, lactic acid bacteria have potential anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, male C57BL/6J mice were given a high-fat diet (HFD) to establish an obese mouse model. Lactobacillus plantarum 23-1 (LP23-1) with prebiotic characteristics was intervened for 8 weeks to evaluate its remission effect on obese animals and related mechanisms. The effects of LP23-1 on lipid accumulation and intestinal inflammation in HFD-fed mice were systematically evaluated by detecting lipid accumulation, blood lipid level, pathological changes in the liver and small intestine, oxidative stress and inflammatory cell level, lipid transport-related gene expression, the inflammatory signaling pathway, and intestinal tight junction (TJ) mRNA and protein expression. The results showed that LP23-1 could significantly reduce the body weight and fat index of HFD-fed mice, improve the lipid levels of serum and liver, reduce the histopathological damage to the liver and small intestine, and alleviate oxidative stress and inflammatory response caused by obesity. In addition, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis showed that LP23-1 could regulate the mRNA expression of lipid transport-related genes; activate the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway; reduce intestinal inflammation; improve the mRNA and protein expression of intestinal TJ proteins zona occludens-1 (ZO-1), occludin, claudin-1, and Muc2; repair intestinal mucosal injury; and enhance intestinal barrier function. The aforementioned results showed that LP23-1 through the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway and intestinal barrier function reduced obesity symptoms. This study provided new insights into the mechanism of LP23-1 in reducing obesity and provided a theoretical basis for developing new functional foods.

In Vitro Anti-Obesity Effect of Shenheling Extract (SHLE) Fermented with Lactobacillus fermentum grx08

Obesity is a common global problem. There are many fat-reducing herbal prescriptions in traditional Chinese medicine that have been proven to be safe and functional during long-term application. Microbial fermentation can improve the efficacy of herbal medicine and improve the unsavory flavor. In this study, Shenheling extract (SHLE) composed of six medicine food homology materials was used as the research object. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillusfermentum grx08 fermentation on the antiobesity efficacy and flavor of SHLE. We found that L. fermentum grx08 grew well in SHLE. After 72 h of fermentation, the total polysaccharides, total flavonoids, total polyphenols and total saponins of SHLE decreased, but the lipase inhibitory activity and total antioxidant capacity (FRAP) were significantly increased (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the α-glucosidase inhibition rate and DPPH· clearance rate before or after fermentation (p > 0.05). In addition, the fermentation reduces the unpleasant flavors of SHLE such as bitterness and grassy and cassia flavors. This study demonstrates that SHLE fermented by L. fermentum grx08 improved some anti-obesity functions and improved the unpleasant flavor.

Lactobacillus paracasei 24 Attenuates Lipid Accumulation in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice by Regulating the Gut Microbiota

Obesity has become a worldwide public health problem. Lactic acid bacteria have attracted extensive attention for alleviating obesity and fat accumulation. This study aimed to evaluate the alleviating effects of Lactobacillus paracasei 24 (LP24) on lipid accumulation in an obese mouse model induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). The results showed that LP24 treatment significantly reduced body weight and fat deposition in HFD mice, improved blood lipid levels and liver steatosis, reduced liver oxidative stress injury and the inflammatory response, and regulated fat metabolism-related factors. Moreover, LP24 regulated the abundance and diversity of the gut microbiota, reduced the abundance of Firmicutes and the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B), and increased the abundance of Akkermansia. In summary, LP24 regulates lipid metabolism by activating the expression level of related genes and regulating the gut microbiota through the gut-liver axis to attenuate the development of obesity. This study provides a theoretical basis for probiotics to regulate gut microbiota to reduce lipid accumulation.

The improvement effect of astaxanthin-loaded emulsions on obesity is better than that of astaxanthin in the oil phase

Emulsion-based delivery systems have been reported to improve the solubility, stability and bioavailability of astaxanthin. In this study, the ability of astaxanthin-loaded emulsions (AL) to ameliorate obesity induced by a high-fat and high-sucrose diet was explored, using astaxanthin in the oil phase (ASTA) as a comparison. After the administration of AL, ASTA (30 mg per kg body weight), or saline on normal or obese mice for 4 weeks, the body fat accumulation levels, hepatic lipid contents and hepatic fatty acid profiles were detected, and AL showed better anti-obesity properties than ASTA. In an acute feeding experiment, it was first observed that the astaxanthin concentration of AL was higher than that of ASTA in the blood and liver of obese mice. What's more, AL altered the microbial co-occurrence patterns in obese mice. Some gut microbial modules that were significantly correlated with obesity-related physiological parameters were identified. Overall, the improvement effect of AL on obesity is better than that of ASTA due to their higher oral absorbability and modulating effects on the gut microbiota, and we suggest AL as a more suitable astaxanthin product type for obese bodies.

A gastro-resistant peptide from Momordica charantia improves diabetic nephropathy in db/db mice via its novel reno-protective and anti-inflammatory activities

Diabetic nephropathy (DN), a principal diabetic microvascular complication, is a chronic inflammatory immune disorder. A gastro-resistant peptide mcIRBP-9 from Momordica charantia has shown modulation of blood glucose homeostasis in diabetic mice. Here we conducted a long-term experiment to evaluate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of mcIRBP-9 on DN. Type 2 diabetic mice (db/db mice) were orally given mcIRBP-9 once daily for 12 consecutive weeks. The amelioration of DN was evaluated by renal function indexes, vascular leakage, and pathological lesions. Possible effective mechanisms of mcIRBP-9 on DN were analyzed by gene expression profiles. A pharmacokinetic study in rats was carried out to evaluate the oral bioavailability of mcIRBP-9. Our data showed that mcIRBP-9 was able to enter systemic circulation in rats after oral administration. In comparison with mock, long-term administration of mcIRBP-9 significantly decreased blood glucose (572.25 ± 1.55 mg dL^-1vs. 213.50 ± 163.39 mg dL^-1) and HbA1c levels (13.58 ± 0.30% vs. 8.23 ± 2.98%) and improved the survival rate (85.7% vs. 100%) in diabetic mice. mcIRBP-9 ameliorated DN by reducing renal vascular leakage and histopathological changes. mcIRBP-9 altered the pathways involved in inflammatory and immune responses, and the nuclear factor-κB played a central role in the regulation of mcIRBP-9-affected pathways. Moreover, mcIRBP-9 improved the inflammatory characteristic of DN in diabetic and non-diabetic mice. In conclusion, mcIRBP-9 displayed a novel anti-inflammatory activity and exhibited a reno-protective ability in addition to controlling the blood glucose and HbA1c levels. These findings suggested the role of mcIRBP-9 from M. charantia as a nutraceutical agent for diabetes and subsequent DN.

Immunomodulatory effects and associated mechanisms of Momordica charantia and its phytochemicals

Momordica charantia L. (M. charantia), which is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family and widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, has been consumed as a vegetable and also used as herbal medicine for thousands of years worldwide.

The novel anti-inflammatory activity of mcIRBP from Momordica charantia is associated with the improvement of diabetic nephropathy

Diabetic nephropathy is an inflammatory immune disorder accompanying diabetes.

Polyphenols from Fu Brick Tea Reduce Obesity via Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Gut Microbiota-Related Intestinal Oxidative Stress and Barrier Function

Fu brick tea (FBT) is a microbial-fermented tea, which is produced by the solid-state fermentation of tea leaves. Previous studies have proved that FBT aqueous extracts could attenuate obesity and gut microbiota dysbiosis. However, the bioactive components in FBT that contribute to these activities remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of FBT polyphenols (FBTPs) on obesity, gut microbiota, and gut microbiota-related intestinal oxidative stress and barrier function and to further investigate whether the antiobesity effect of FBTPs was dependent on the alteration of gut microbiota. The results showed that FBTP supplementation effectively attenuated obesity in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed rats. FBTP supplementation improved the intestinal oxidative stress and intestinal barrier function, including intestinal inflammation and the integrity of the intestinal barrier. Furthermore, FBTP intervention significantly attenuated HFD-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis, characterized by increased phylogenetic diversity and decreased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. Certain core microbes, including Akkermansia muciniphila, Alloprevotella, Bacteroides, and Faecalibaculum, were also found to be improved by FBTPs. Moreover, the antiobesity effect of FBTPs was gut microbiota-dependent, as demonstrated by a fecal microbiota transplantation experiment. Collectively, we concluded that FBTPs reduced obesity by modulating the gut microbiota and gut microbiota-related intestinal oxidative stress and barrier function. Therefore, FBTPs may be used as prebiotic agents to treat obesity and gut microbiota dysbiosis in obese individuals.

Astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis alleviates obesity by modulating lipid metabolism and gut microbiota in mice fed a high-fat diet

Obesity is a global chronic disease epidemic that is attributed to the abnormal accumulation of lipids in adipose tissue. Astaxanthin (AST) from Haematococcus pluvialis, a natural carotenoid, exhibits antioxidant, anti-lipogenic, anti-diabetic and other potent effects. Herein, we evaluated the effect of AST to illuminate its efficacy and mechanisms in high-fat diet-fed mice. AST supplementation not only significantly decreased body weight and lipid droplet accumulation in the liver but also modulated liver function and serum lipid levels. Lipidomic analysis revealed that 13 lipids might be potential biomarkers responsible for the effects of AST in lipid reduction, such as total free fatty acids (FFAs), triacylglycerols (TGs) and cholesterol esters (CEs). The gut microbiota sequencing results indicated that AST alleviated HFD-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis by optimizing the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroides and inhibiting the abundance of obesity-related pathogenic microbiota while promoting the abundance of probiotics related to glucose and lipid metabolism. In addition, qRT-PCR demonstrated that AST could regulate the gene expressions of the AMPK/SREBP1c pathway by downregulating lipogenesis correlated-genes and upregulating the lipid oxidant related-gene. The present study revealed the new function of AST in regulating lipid metabolism, which provided a theoretical basis for the development of high-quality AST functional food and the application of diet active substances in obesity, as demonstrated in mice.

Supplementation With Lycium barbarum Polysaccharides Reduce Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice by Modulation of Gut Microbiota

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) have been proved to prevent obesity and modulate gut microbiota. However, the underlying mechanisms of LBPs’ regulating lipid metabolism remain entirely unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether LBPs are able to modulate the gut microbiota to prevent obesity. The results showed that oral administration of LBPs alleviated dyslipidemia by decreasing the serum levels of total triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol and elevating the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in obese mice. Furthermore, LBP treatment decreased the number and size of adipocytes in epididymal adipose tissues and downregulated the expression of adipogenesis-related genes, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1, fatty acid synthase, stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α. 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis showed that LBPs increased the diversity of bacteria, reduced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, and improved the gut dysbiosis induced by a high-fat diet; for example, LBPs increased the production of short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria Lacticigenium, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, and Butyricicoccus. LBPs treatment also increased the content of fecal short-chain fatty acids, including butyric acid. These findings illustrate that LBPs might be developed as a potential prebiotic to improve lipid metabolism and intestinal diseases.

Probiotic-fermented blueberry juice prevents obesity and hyperglycemia in high fat diet-fed mice in association with modulating the gut microbiota

Blueberry dietary interventions have demonstrated remarkable potential against obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the effects of fermented blueberry juice on metabolic syndrome, the gut microbiota, and insulin resistance have not yet been reported. This study aimed to investigate the potential of fermented blueberry juice against obesity, hyperglycemia, and gut microbiota dysbiosis in high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Our study findings revealed that supplementation with fresh blueberry juice (BBJ), and fermented blueberry juice with homemade probiotic starter (FBJ) or commercial starter (CFBJ) significantly decreased fat accumulation and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels in HFD-fed mice. FBJ showed relatively more potency to reduce body weight than BBJ and CFBJ. The percentage increase in the body weight of the FBJ group was almost the same as that in the normal chow diet (NCD) group, and was approximately 10% lower than the BBJ and CFBJ groups. Overall, all blueberry juices significantly ameliorated hyperlipidemia and insulin resistance in HFD-fed mice. Moreover, the dietary interventions with BBJ, FBJ, and CFBJ for 17 weeks significantly improved the community richness and diversity of the gut microflora along with an altered structure in the HFD-fed mice group. The FBJ treated mice group showed relatively low abundance of Firmicutes, obesity-related bacteria (Oscillibacter and Alistipes), and high abundance of lean bacteria (Akkermansia, Barnesiella, Olsenella, Bifidobacterium, and Lactobacillus) compared to the HFD-fed mice group. Furthermore, BBJ and FBJ treatments regulated the liver mRNA and protein expression levels involved in lipid and glucose metabolism. This study inferred that fermented blueberry juice could be used as a functional food to prevent the modern pandemics i.e., obesity and insulin resistance.

Polygonatum sibiricum F. Delaroche polysaccharide ameliorates HFD‑induced mouse obesity via regulation of lipid metabolism and inflammatory response

The present study sought to elucidate the role of Polygonatum sibiricum F. Delaroche polysaccharide (PSP) in high‑fat diet (HFD)‑induced mouse obesity and investigated the primary molecular mechanism underlaying these effects. An obese mouse model was established by feeding HFD and three doses of PSP were administered intragastrically. Changes in body weight, serum lipids and parameters were recorded and the mechanism was explored by reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR and western blotting. Body weight, blood lipids, blood glucose, insulin, resistin, adiponectin, liver weight and abdominal fat pads weight were reduced by PSP and abnormal expression levels of inflammatory factors such as TNF‑α, IL‑6, IL‑1β and iNOS and lipid metabolism genes such as FAS, SREBP‑1, PPARα and CPT‑1were also reversed by PSP. The 5' adenosine monophosphate‑activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway was activated in PSP mouse liver, leading to lipid‑lowering and anti‑inflammatory effects. The results therefore suggested that PSP exhibited lipid‑lowering and anti‑inflammatory effects by activating the AMPK signaling pathway.

Polysaccharides from fermented Asparagus officinalis with Lactobacillus plantarum NCU116 alleviated liver injury via modulation of glutathione homeostasis, bile acid metabolism, and SCFA production

Lactic acid bacteria strain (LAB) NCU116 fermented Asparagus officinalis polysaccharides (FAOP) have been proven to cause substantial changes in physicochemical properties such as monosaccharide composition and molecular weight, accounting for their enhanced immune activity than unprocessed Asparagus officinalis polysaccharides (AOP). In the current study, the hepatoprotective effects of FAOP in mice with cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced hepatotoxicity were investigated. FAOP were more effective than AOP in alleviating CTX-induced hepatic damage, including inhibition of hepatic biochemical markers (ALT, AST, AKP and LDH) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) as well as reinforcement of antioxidant systems (T-AOC, SOD, CAT, and MDA). In particular, compared with AOP, FAOP showed superior performance by promoting GSH biosynthesis, and normalizing the expression level of bile acid receptors (FXR and SHP) and key enzymes in bile acid synthesis (CYP7A1, CYP8B1 and CYP27A1). Modulation of disordered homeostasis of bile acids by FAOP can be attributed to the upregulation of hepatic short chain fatty acid (SCFA) receptors GPR41 and GPR109A as well as intestinal SCFA production. Furthermore, serum metabolomics study validated the hepatoprotective superiority of FAOP than AOP with evidence from variations in bile acid compositions and the construction of related metabolic pathways. Therefore, LAB NCU116 fermentation of Asparagus officinalis was practical and effective to obtain promising hepatoprotective polysaccharides, which might arise from enhanced SCFA production than unprocessed AOP.

Plants used against obesity in Turkish folk medicine: A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Obesity is one of the growing public health problems in Turkey, as well as all over the world, threatening people of almost all ages. Turkey has a large potential for research on this topic due to owning broad ethnomedicinal experience and the richest flora (34% endemic) of Europe and the Middle East. Herbs that they have utilized for centuries to treat and prevent obesity can provide useful options to overcome this issue.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This survey was carried out to disclose the inventory of plant taxa that the people of Turkey have been using for a few centuries in treating obesity without any side effects or complications, and to compare them with experimental studies in the literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The research was achieved in two phases on the matter above by using electronic databases, such as Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus, ProQuest, Medline, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, HighWire Press, PubMed and Google Scholar. Both results were shown in separate tables as well as the regional comparative analysis.

RESULTS

117 herbal taxa belonging to 45 families were identified among the selected 74 studies conducted in the seven regions of Turkey. However, only 49 (41.9%) of them were found to be subjected to worldwide in vitro and in vivo research conducted on anti-obesity activity. Quercetin (9.1%), gallic acid (6.1%) and ferulic acid and epigallocatechin gallate (4.5%) have been recorded as the most common active ingredients among the 66 active substances identified. Prunus avium (32.4%) and Rosmarinus officinalis (25.7%) were identified as the most common plants used in Turkey. Also, Portulaca oleracea and Brassica oleracea emerged as the most investigated taxa in the literature.

CONCLUSION

This is the first country-wide ethnomedical review conducted on obesity treatment with plants in Turkey. Evaluating the results of the experimental anti-obesity research conducted in the recent years in the literature, it was determined that forty-nine plants were verified. This clearly shows that these herbs have a high potential to be a pharmacological resource. Moreover, 68 (41.9%) taxa, which haven't been investigated yet, are likely to be a promising resource for national and international pharmacological researchers in terms of new natural medicine searches.

Pu-erh tea ameliorates obesity and modulates gut microbiota in high fat diet fed mice

Obesity is regarded to be associated with fat accumulation, chronic inflammation, and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Raw and ripened pu-erh tea extract (PETe) have the effect of reducing body weight gain and fat accumulation, which are associated with gut microbiota. However, little is known about the difference of raw and ripened PETe on the regulation of gut microbiota. Here, our results suggested that supplementation of raw and ripened PETe displayed similar anti-obesogenic effect in high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mice, by attenuating the body weight gain, fat accumulation, oxidative injury, and low-grade inflammation, improving the glucose tolerance, alleviating the metabolic endotoxemia, and regulating the mRNA and protein expression levels of the lipid metabolism-related genes. 16S rRNA sequencing of fecal samples indicated that raw and ripened PETe intervention displayed different regulatory effect on the HFD-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis at different taxonomic levels. The microbial diversity, the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes as well as F/B ratio were reversed more closer to normal by ripened PETe. Phylotypes of Bacteroidaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Lachnospiraceae, Muribaculaceae, and Rikenellaceae which are negatively correlated with obesity were enhanced notably by the intervention of ripened PETe, while Erysipelotrichaceae and Lactobacillaceae which have positive correlation with obesity were decreased dramatically. In addition, the treatment of ripened PETe had better effect on the increase of benefical Bacteroides, Alistipes, and Akkemansia and decrease of obesity associated Faecalibaculum and Erysipelatoclostridium (p < 0.05). These findings suggested that pu-erh tea especially ripened pu-erh tea could serve as a great candidate for alleviation of obesity in association with the modulation of gut microbiota.

Polysaccharides from fermented Momordica charantia L. with Lactobacillus plantarum NCU116 ameliorate metabolic disorders and gut microbiota change in obese rats

Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by overweight resulting from fat accumulation, along with disturbance of metabolism and gut microbiota. Fermentation, as a green processing method, is beneficial for improving the nutrition capacity of food components. Polysaccharides are considered as one of the important components in food and are also potential supplements for anti-obesity treatment. This study aimed to investigate the anti-obesity effects of polysaccharides from fermented and non-fermented Momordica charantia L. with Lactobacillus plantarum NCU116 (FP and NFP) on obese rats by serum metabolomics and gut microbiota analysis. Metabolomics results revealed that abnormal lipid metabolism was formed due to obesity. The supplement of FP and NFP improved the glycerophospholipids, glycosphingolipids, and amino acid metabolism of the obese rats, which alleviated the hypercholesterolemia and overweight in rats. Furthermore, the disorder of gut microbiota was ameliorated by FP and NFP. FP promoted the growth of beneficial bacteria, such as phylum Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and genera Anaerostipes, Coprococcus, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium. FP also reduced several harmful bacteria belonging to the phylum Proteobacteria and genera Helicobacter. The positive correlation of the weight loss and lowering of serum lipids with the increased beneficial bacteria further elucidated that the anti-obesity effect of FP in obese rats is associated with the regulation of gut microbiota and serum metabolites. The results of this study could provide information for developing probiotic products in the future that may have beneficial effects on the prevention or treatment of obesity.

The Effect of Momordica charantia in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus: A Review

In recent years, many studies of Momordica charantia (MC) in the treatment of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications have been reported. This article reviewed the effect and mechanism of MC against diabetes, including the results from in vitro and in vivo experiments and clinical trials. The common side effects of MC were also summarized. We hope that it might open up new ideas for further mechanism exploration and clinical application as well as provide a scientific theoretical basis for the development of drugs or foods derived from MC.

Polysaccharide fraction from greens of Raphanus sativus alleviates high fat diet-induced obesity

Radish (Raphanus sativus) greens are commonly used as a vegetable in Korea; however, their anti-obesity effect has not been reported yet. We prepared the polysaccharide fraction of radish greens (PRG) and assessed its anti-obesity activity in high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese C57BL/6J mice. Supplementation with 4 mg/kg PRG reduced weight gain and body fat percentage, and regulated serum biomarkers against HFD-induced obesity. Moreover, PRG treatment improved gut permeability by increasing tight junction protein expression and colon length shortening. HFD intake increased the proportion of Firmicutes and decreased the proportion of Bacteroidetes and Verrucomicrobia; however, PRG supplementation maintained gut microbial composition to normal diet condition. Moreover, PRG reduced HFD-induced increase of lipid metabolism-related protein expression, along with adipocyte size in white adipose tissue. These results indicated that PRG as a potential prebiotic, has anti-obesity properties by improving gut barrier function, modulating gut microbiota and regulating lipid metabolism.

Mass spectrometry-based lipidomics in food science and nutritional health: A comprehensive review

With the advance in science and technology as well as the improvement of living standards, the function of food is no longer just to meet the needs of survival. Food science and its associated nutritional health issues have been increasingly debated. Lipids, as complex metabolites, play a key role both in food and human health. Taking advantages of mass spectrometry (MS) by combining its high sensitivity and accuracy with extensive selective determination of all lipid classes, MS-based lipidomics has been employed to resolve the conundrum of addressing both qualitative and quantitative aspects of high-abundance and low-abundance lipids in complex food matrices. In this review, we systematically summarize current applications of MS-based lipidomics in food field. First, common MS-based lipidomics procedures are described. Second, the applications of MS-based lipidomics in food science, including lipid composition characterization, adulteration, traceability, and other issues, are discussed. Third, the application of MS-based lipidomics for nutritional health covering the influence of food on health and disease is introduced. Finally, future research trends and challenges are proposed. MS-based lipidomics plays an important role in the field of food science, promoting continuous development of food science and integration of food knowledge with other disciplines. New methods of MS-based lipidomics have been developed to improve accuracy and sensitivity of lipid analysis in food samples. These developments offer the possibility to fully characterize lipids in food samples, identify novel functional lipids, and better understand the role of food in promoting healt.

Structural characterization of a homopolysaccharide with hypoglycemic activity from the roots of Pueraria lobata

A water-soluble neutral homopolysaccharide (PLP-1) was obtained from the roots of Pueraria lobata by DEAE cellulose and Sephadex G-200 gel chromatography purification. The average molecular weight of PLP-1 was 16.2 kDa. Monosaccharide composition analysis showed that PLP-1 was composed of glucose as a glucan. The structure of PLP-1 was characterized on the basis of extensive physical and chemical analysis, which indicated that the backbone of PLP-1 was mainly composed of →3)-α-d-Glcp(1→ and →4)-β-d-Glcp(1→ with a molar ratio of 7.0 : 1.0. Moreover, the hypoglycemic activity of PLP-1 was investigated by palmitic acid and high glucose induced insulin resistant HepG2 cells. The results elucidated that PLP-1 could decrease the glucose concentration by up-regulating the expression of PI3K and AKT, and down-regulating the expression of FoxO1, PCK2, and G6Pase in insulin resistant cells. Therefore, PLP-1 could serve as a dietary supplement to ameliorate insulin resistance for diabetic patients.

Hepatic Lipidomics Analysis Reveals the Antiobesity and Cholesterol-Lowering Effects of Tangeretin in High-Fat Diet-Fed Rats

Tangeretin (TAN) exhibited antilipogenic, antidiabetic, and lipid-lowering effects. However, the lipid biomarkers and the underlying mechanisms for antiobesity and cholesterol-lowering effects of TAN have not been sufficiently investigated. Herein, we integrated biochemical analysis with lipidomics to elucidate its efficacy and mechanisms in high-fat diet-fed rats. TAN at supplementation levels of 0.04 and 0.08% not only significantly decreased body weight gain, serum total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels but also ameliorated hepatic steatosis. These beneficial effects were associated with the declining levels of fatty acids, diacylglycerols (DGs), triacylglycerols, ceramides, and cholesteryl esters by hepatic lipidomics analysis, which were attributed to downregulating lipogenesis-related genes and upregulating lipid oxidation- and bile acid biosynthesis-related genes. Additionally, 21 lipids were identified as potential lipid biomarkers, such as DGs and phosphatidylethanolamines. These findings indicated that the modulation of lipid homeostasis might be the key pathways for the mechanisms of TAN in the antiobesity and cholesterol-lowering effects.