Antiobesity efficacy of asiatic acid: down-regulation of adipogenic and inflammatory processes in high fat diet induced obese rats

The Strong Inhibition of Pancreatic Lipase by Selected Indonesian Medicinal Plants as Anti-Obesity Agents

Obesity is characterized by the accumulation of excessive fat, potentially leading to degenerative diseases. Pancreatic lipase, an enzyme responsible for converting 50-70% of dietary fat into monoglycerides, free fatty acids, and various other smaller molecules, plays a crucial role in fat metabolism. Therefore, this study aimed to review selected Indonesian medicinal plants with the potential to inhibit the activity of the pancreatic lipase enzyme. The results showed that kunci pepet (Kaempferiae angustifolia Rosc.), asam gelugur (Garcinia atroviridis), temulawak (Curcuma xanthorrhiza), jombang (Taraxacum officinale F. H. Wigg), pegagan (Centella asiatica), and pala (Myristica fragrans) had strong inhibitory effects, exceeding 50% for both in vitro and in vivo studies. Therefore, further studies are needed to explore the potential of these medicinal plants as anti-obesity treatments.

Hydroxycitric acid and capsaicin combination alleviates obesity-induced testicular apoptosis, oxidative stress and inflammation

Recent research in rodents suggests that oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the testes caused by high-fat diets (HFD) are a cause of male infertility. To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of the combination of hydroxycitric acid and capsaicin (HCC) against male reproductive disorders, we developed an HFD-induced obese rat model. Rats received HFD supplementation for 21 weeks, which induced obesity. From week 16, HCC (100 mg/kg body weight) was administered to investigate its potential to treat testicular toxicity. According to the results of the current study, treatment of obese rats with HCC improved their sperm quality, increased the production of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone and significantly increased the activities of steroidogenic enzymes and corresponding mRNA levels. In addition, HCC decreased lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide levels in both spermatozoa and testes while increasing the expression of mRNA for the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase in the testes, which in turn reduced oxidative stress in the testes. Moreover, after HCC treatment, testicular tissues showed a remarkable decrease in mRNA levels responsible for inflammation (TNF-α, IL-6, NF-κB) and apoptosis (Bax and Bcl-2). Our results suggest that HCC may alleviate obesity-induced male reproductive dysfunction by attenuating oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the testes of HFD-induced obese male rats.

Phytoformulation with hydroxycitric acid and capsaicin protects against high-fat-diet-induced obesity cardiomyopathy by reducing cardiac lipid deposition and ameliorating inflammation and apoptosis in the heart

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Phytoformulation therapy is a pioneering strategy for the treatment of metabolic disorders and related diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of a phytoformulation consisting of hydroxycitric acid and capsaicin against obesity-related cardiomyopathy.

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

Sprague-Dawley rats were fed HFD for 21 weeks, and phytoformulation (100 mg/kg body weight) was administered orally for 45 days starting at week 16.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

We found that HFD supplementation resulted in significant hyperglycemia and caused an increase in cardiac lipid deposition, inflammation and apoptosis in the heart. Phytoformulation therapy not only significantly decreased blood levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, free fatty acids, and inflammatory cytokines in obese rats, but also protected cardiac tissue, as shown by histological analysis. Conversely, phytoformulation therapy decreased mRNA levels for sterol regulatory element-binding factor 1, fatty acid synthase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and fatty acid binding protein 1 genes involved in fatty acid synthesis and absorption in obese rats. It increased the levels of lysosomal acid lipase, hormone-sensitive lipase, and lipoprotein lipase genes involved in fatty acid degradation in the heart. In addition, the phytoformulation improved cardiac inflammation and apoptosis by downregulating the genes nuclear factor kappa-light-chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB), tumour necrosis factor α, interleukin-6, toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4), BCL2-associated X and caspase-3. In conclusion, our results show that the phytoformulation improved insulin sensitivity and attenuated myocardial lipid accumulation, inflammation, and apoptosis in the heart of HFD-induced obese rats by regulating fatty acid metabolism genes and downregulating NF-kB/TLR-4/caspase-3.

Pathophysiology of obesity-related infertility and its prevention and treatment by potential phytotherapeutics

BACKGROUND

Obesity is a complex multifactorial disease in which the accumulation of excess body fat has adverse health effects, as it can increase the risk of several problems, including infertility, in both men and women. Obesity and infertility have risen together in recent years. Against this background, the present review aims to highlight the impact of obesity on infertility and the underlying pathophysiology of obesity-related infertility (ORI) in men and women, and to provide readers with knowledge of current trends in the effective development of phytotherapeutics for its treatment.

METHODS

We thoroughly searched in PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, and Google Scholar to find all relevant papers on ORI and the therapeutic effects of phytotherapeutics on ORI in men and women.

RESULTS

The extensive search of the available literature revealed that obesity affects reproductive function through several complex mechanisms such as hyperlipidaemia, hyperinsulinaemia, hyperandrogenism, increased body mass index, disruption of the hormonal milieu, systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, alterations in epigenetics and dysbiosis. On the other hand, several studies reported that phytotherapeutics has a broad therapeutic spectrum of action by improving sex hormone homeostasis, ovarian dysfunction, menstrual cycle and inhibiting ovarian hyperplasia, as well as down-regulating ovarian apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress, and controlling metabolic dysfunction in obese women. Male infertility is also addressed by phytotherapeutics by suppressing lipogenesis, increasing testosterone, 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD levels, improving sperm parameters and attenuating testicular dyslipidaemia, oxidative stress, inflammation and germ cell apoptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

In the present review, we discussed the effects of obesity on reproductive dysfunction in men and women and the underlying pathophysiology of ORI. In addition, the therapeutic effect of phytotherapeutics against ORI was highlighted.

Linalool attenuates lipid accumulation and oxidative stress in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease via Sirt1/Akt/PPRA-α/AMPK and Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling pathways

INTRODUCTION

Linalool is a monoterpene that occurs naturally in various aromatic plants and is identified in our previous study as a potential candidate for protection against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). However, little is known about its direct effects on hepatic lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect of linalool against MASLD and the underlying mechanism.

METHODS

To establish a rat model of MASLD, male Wistar rats were fed HFD for 16 weeks and orally administered linalool (100 mg/kg body weight) for 45 days starting from week 14.

RESULTS

Linalool significantly reduced HFD-induced liver lipid accumulation and restored altered adipokine levels. Mechanistically, linalool downregulated the mRNA expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 and its lipogenesis target genes fatty acid synthase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and upregulated the mRNA expression of genes involved in fatty acid oxidation (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-alpha [PPAR-α], lipoprotein lipase and protein kinase B [Akt]) as well as the upstream mediators sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the liver of MASLD rats. In addition, linalool also curbed oxidative stress by increasing antioxidant enzymes and activating nuclear erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) and its downstream target genes involved in antioxidant properties.

CONCLUSION

Therefore, this study concludes that linalool attenuates lipid accumulation in the liver by inhibiting de novo lipogenesis, promoting fatty acid oxidation, and attenuating oxidative stress by regulating Sirt1/Akt/PPRA-α/AMPK and Nrf-2/ HO-1 signaling pathways.

Rapid Separation of Asiatic Acid, Quercetin, and Kaempferol from Traditional Chinese Medicine Centella asiatica (L.) Urban Using HSCCC-Semi-Prep-HPLC and the Assessment of Their Potential as Fatty Acid Synthase Inhibitors

The main objective of this study was to rapidly separate asiatic acid (AA), quercetin (QCN), and kaempferol (KPL) from Centella asiatica (L.) Urban using high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC) in tandem with the UV detector of semipreparative high-performance liquid chromatography (Semi-Prep-HPLC) and to evaluate their potential as inhibitors of fatty acid synthetase (FAS). To efficiently prepare large amounts of AA, QCN, and KPL from Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, rapid and simple methods by HSCCC were established respectively based on the partition coefficients (K values) of crude samples. The conditions of HSCCC-Semi-Prep-HPLC for the large-scale separation of AA, QCN, and KPL from Centella asiatica (L.) Urban were established and optimized. This included selecting the solvent system, flow rate, rotation speed, and so on. HSCCC-Semi-Prep-HPLC was successfully applied to separate and purify AA, QCN, and KPL, with n-hexane-n-butanol-methanol-water (3 : 1 : 3 : 3, V : V : V : V) as the solvent system for AA, which was detected at a wavelength of 210 nm with the stationary phase retention of 70%, and with n-hexane-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (0.8 : 0.9 : 1.2 : 1, V : V : V : V) as the solvent system for the co-separation of QCN and KPL, which was detected at a wavelength of 254 nm with the stationary phase retention of 65%. AA could be isolated at a large scale with high purity (>91.0%) in only one-step HSCCC-Semi-Prep-HPLC separation (within 150 min) under the optimized conditions. Meanwhile, QCN and KPL could be simultaneously isolated at a large scale with high purity (>99.1%) by another one-step HSCCC-Semi-Prep-HPLC separation (within 240 min) under the optimized conditions. The assessment of inhibition potential revealed that AA exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect on FAS, with an IC50 of 9.52 ± 0.76 μg/mL. Madecassic acid (MA) followed closely with IC50 values of 10.84 ± 0.92 μg/mL. QCN and KPL showed similar and relatively weaker inhibitory effects on FAS, with IC50 values of 43.09 ± 2.98 μg/mL and 36.90 ± 1.83 μg/mL, respectively. Overall, the HSCCC-Semi-Prep-HPLC method proved to be a highly efficient and reliable technique for separating AA, QCN, and KPL from Centella asiatica (L.) Urban, and the isolated compounds showed potential as FAS inhibitors.

Dipterocarpus tuberculatus as a promising anti-obesity treatment in Lep knockout mice

Introduction

The therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Dipterocarpus tuberculatus (D. tuberculatus) extracts have been examined concerning inflammation, photoaging, and gastritis; however, their effect on obesity is still being investigated.

Methods

We administered a methanol extract of D. tuberculatus (MED) orally to Lep knockout (KO) mice for 4 weeks to investigate the therapeutic effects on obesity, weight gain, fat accumulation, lipid metabolism, inflammatory response, and β-oxidation.

Results

In Lep KO mice, MED significantly reduced weight gains, food intake, and total cholesterol and glyceride levels. Similar reductions in fat weights and adipocyte sizes were also observed. Furthermore, MED treatment reduced liver weight, lipid droplet numbers, the expressions of adipogenesis and lipogenesis-related genes, and the expressions of lipolysis regulators in liver tissues. Moreover, the iNOS-mediated COX-2 induction pathway, the inflammasome pathway, and inflammatory cytokine levels were reduced, but β-oxidation was increased, in the livers of MED-treated Lep KO mice.

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that MED ameliorates obesity and has considerable potential as an anti-obesity treatment.

Lipid-lowering activity of metformin-soluble soybean polysaccharide nanoparticles

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

Long-term pharmacokinetic and pharmacological evaluations of a novel indole-benzazepinone derivative on obese Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Owing to the chronic nature of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, antidiabetic drugs must have long-lasting efficacy. Compound 1 has a good inhibitory effect on acute hyperglycemia, but its long-term hypoglycemic effect has not been evaluated. Results: Preliminary prediction and in vitro experimental pharmacokinetic results support the use of compound 1 for long-term in vivo experiments. Long-term experiments demonstrated that compound 1 significantly reduces blood glucose, improves the oral glucose tolerance of obese mice and has a positive effect on body weight, free fatty acid, hepatocyte steatosis and inflammatory cell infiltration. Conclusion: These findings lay a good foundation for the further exploration and development of novel glycogen phosphorylase inhibitors.

Aqueous Extract of Psiloxylon mauritianum, Rich in Gallic Acid, Prevents Obesity and Associated Deleterious Effects in Zebrafish

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions, and its prevalence tripled worldwide between 1975 and 2016, especially in Reunion Island, a French overseas region. Psiloxylon mauritianum, an endemic medicinal plant from Reunion Island registered in the French pharmacopeia, has recently gained interest in combating metabolic disorders because of its traditional lipid-lowering and “anti-diabetic” use. However, scientific data are lacking regarding its toxicity and its real benefits on metabolic diseases. In this study, we aim to determine the toxicity of an aqueous extract of P. mauritianum on zebrafish eleutheroembryos following the OECD toxicity assay (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, guidelines 36). After defining a non-toxic dose, we determined by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) that this extract is rich in gallic acid but contains also caffeoylquinic acid, kaempferol and quercetin, as well as their respective derivatives. We also showed that the non-toxic dose exhibits lipid-lowering effects in a high-fat-diet zebrafish larvae model. In a next step, we demonstrated its preventive effects on body weight gain, hyperglycemia and liver steatosis in a diet-induced obesity model (DIO) performed in adults. It also limited the deleterious effects of overfeeding on the central nervous system (i.e., cerebral oxidative stress, blood-brain barrier breakdown, neuro-inflammation and blunted neurogenesis). Interestingly, adult DIO fish treated with P. mauritianum display normal feeding behavior but higher feces production. This indicates that the “anti-weight-gain” effect is probably due to the action of P. mauritianum on the intestinal lipid absorption and/or on the microbiota, leading to the increase in feces production. Therefore, in our experimental conditions, the aqueous extract of P. mauritianum exhibited “anti-weight-gain” properties, which prevented the development of obesity and its deleterious effects at the peripheral and central levels. These effects should be further investigated in preclinical models of obese/diabetic mice, as well as the impact of P. mauritianum on the gut microbiota.

Biochemical studies of adiponectin gene polymorphism in patients with obesity in Egyptians

BACKGROUND

Adiponectin gene polymorphisms have recently been reported to be associated with obesity. In Egypt, obesity has expanded especially with the changing nourishment propensities and the inexorably inactive ways of life, with almost 70 percent of the Egyptian populations being obese.

AIM

To assess the relationship of the adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) polymorphism in patients with Obesity in Egyptians.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

This study included 100 patients with obesity and 97 random controls.

RESULTS

Adiponectin rs1501299 polymorphism showed significant difference cases with different obesity grades where the T/T genotype was relatively higher in higher classes of obesity (Class II and III; (66.7% and 55.6% respectively, p = 000), which determines the susceptibility to obesity.

CONCLUSION

Adiponectin rs1501299 polymorphism might be a candidate gene, which determines the susceptibility to obesity. Larger studies are necessary to confirm these findings in various populations.

Anti-Diabetic Potential of Plant-Based Pentacyclic Triterpene Derivatives: Progress Made to Improve Efficacy and Bioavailability

Diabetes mellitus (DM) results from the inability of the pancreas to produce sufficient insulin or weakened cellular response to the insulin produced, which leads to hyperglycemia. Current treatments of DM focus on the use of oral hypoglycemic drugs such as acarbose, alpha-glucose inhibitors, sulphonylureas, thiazolidinediones, and biguanides to control blood glucose levels. However, these medications are known to have various side effects in addition to their bioavailability, efficacy, and safety concerns. These drawbacks have increased interest in the anti-diabetic potential of plant-derived bioactive compounds such as oleanolic and maslinic acids. Although their efficacy in ameliorating blood glucose levels has been reported in several studies, their bioavailability and efficacy remain of concern. The current review examines the anti-diabetic effects of oleanolic, maslinic, asiatic, ursolic, and corosolic acids and their derivatives, as well as the progress made thus far to enhance their bioavailability and efficacy. The literature for the current review was gathered from leading academic databases-including Google Scholar and PubMed-the key words listed below were used. The literature was searched as widely and comprehensively as possible without a defined range of dates.

Attenuation of lipid metabolic abnormalities, proinflammatory cytokines, and matrix metalloproteinase expression by biochanin-A in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats

In the present study, we assessed the therapeutic potential of Biochanin-A (BCA) (10 mg/kg BW/day) pretreatment for 30 days on lipid metabolic abnormalities, proinflammatory cytokines and matrix metalloproteinase expression in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats. We measured the potential role of BCA on tissue and circulatory lipid profiles as well as on lipid metabolic enzymes: serum inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6 and MCP1) and serum Matrix Metalloproteinases (particularly, MMP-2 and MMP-9) together with mRNA expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, MMP-2 and MMP-9 by RT-PCR analysis. Administration of ISO to rats significantly distorted their lipid metabolism and augmented inflammatory process, MMP expression and proteolytic activity. In addition, pretreatment with BCA of ISO-induced MI rats significantly reestablished the altered lipid metabolism and concealed the inflammation of cytokines. BCA suppressed the expressions of proinflammatory cytokines and MMPs in ISO-induced MI in rats when compared to normal untreated MI rats. Hence, these results established that BCA could improve the pathological processes of myocardial remodeling which was confirmed by histopathology of heart in MI rats and might be an effective beneficial ingredient for the management of heart failure disorders.

Upregulation of miR-33 and miR-155 by gum acacia mitigates hyperlipidaemia and inflammation but not weight increase induced by Western diet ingestion in mice

OBJECTIVE

This study, for the first time, investigates the effect of gum acacia (GA) on the expression of miR-33 and miR-155 and its association with the obesity and inflammation induced by Western diet (WD) consumption in mice.

METHODS

Animals were divided into: normal diet (ND) group, WD group, GA group and GA + WD group.

RESULTS

The WD group exhibited higher total body, liver, visceral fat weights, blood total cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose levels compared to ND group. The liver tissues showed severe inflammation and degeneration with higher hepatic TNF-α level. Interestingly, GA + WD group showed a decrease in the biochemical parameters and hepatic TNF-α level but had no effect on the weight increase. It also showed a significant upregulation of miR-33 and miR-155 compared to WD group.

CONCLUSIONS

GA mitigated the hyperlipidaemia and inflammation but not weight increase induced by WD ingestion via upregulation of miR-33 and miR-155 while reducing TNF-α level.

Asiatic Acid, a Natural Compound that Exerts Beneficial Effects on the Cystometric and Biochemical Parameters in the Retinyl Acetate-Induced Model of Detrusor Overactivity

Scientists have been constantly looking for new synthetic and natural compounds that could have beneficial effects in bladder overactivity. Our attention was drawn by asiatic acid that influences a number of molecules and signaling pathways relevant for the proper functioning of the urinary tracts in humans. In the present project we wanted to check whether asiatic acid would have positive effects in the confirmed animal model of detrusor overactivity (DO) and whether it would affect the bladder blood flow, urothelium thickness, inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, neurotrophic and growth factors, and other parameters important for the activity of the urinary bladder. The outcomes of our study showed that a 14-day administration of asiatic acid (30 mg/kg/day) by oral gavage normalizes the cystometric parameters corresponding to DO and reduces the accompanying oxidative stress (measured by the levels of malondialdehyde-61,344 ± 24,908 pg/ml vs. 33,668 ± 5,071 pg/ml, 3-nitrotyrosine-64,615 ± 25,433 pg/ml vs. 6,563 ± 1,736 pg/ml, and NOS2-2,506 ± 411.7 vs. 3,824 ± 470.1 pg/ml). Moreover, it decreases the urinary secretion of neurotrophins (BDNF-304.4 ± 33.21 pg/ml vs. 119.3 ± 11.49 pg/ml and NGF-205.5 ± 18.50 vs. 109.7 ± 15.94 pg/ml) and prevents the changes in a range of biomarkers indicating the dysfunction of the urinary bladder, CGRP (421.1 ± 56.64 vs. 108.1 ± 11.73 pg/ml), E-Cadherin (773.5 ± 177.5 pg/ml vs. 1,560 ± 154.5 pg/ml), OCT3 (3,943 ± 814.6 vs. 1,018 ± 97.07 pg/ml), SNAP-23 (6,763 ± 808.9 pg/ml vs. 3,455 ± 554.5 pg/ml), SNAP-25 (2,038 ± 162.7 pg/ml vs. 833.3 ± 65.48), substance P (171.7 ± 16.86 pg/ml vs. 65.07 ± 8.250 pg/ml), SV2A (1,927 ± 175.3 pg/ml vs. 1,154 ± 254.9 pg/ml), tight junction protein 1 (360.1 ± 95.05 pg/ml vs. 563.4 ± 65.43 pg/ml), VAChT (16,470 ± 2,419 pg/ml vs. 7,072 ± 1,339 pg/ml), VEGFA (318.3 ± 37.89 pg/ml vs. 201.5 ± 22.91 pg/ml). The mentioned parameters are associated with smooth muscle contractions, urothelial barrier, transportation and release of transmitters, or bladder compensation. Thus, the presented findings allow to suggest a possible future role of asiatic acid in the prevention of conditions accompanied by DO, such as overactive bladder.

Biochanin A attenuates obesity cardiomyopathy in rats by inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation through the Nrf-2 pathway

OBJECTIVE

In the present study, we evaluated the effect of biochanin A (BCA) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity cardiomyopathy.

METHODS

BCA (10 mg/kg body weight) was administered to HFD-induced obese rats for 30 days, and its effect on anthropometrical, morphological, plasma cardiac, and inflammatory biomarkers, along with cardiac lipid profiles was assessed.

RESULTS

Supplementation of HFD to rats significantly increased body mass index, obesity index parameters, and cardiac lipid profile along with notable oxidative stress and inflammation. Additionally, BCA treatment in obese rats demonstrated a superior therapeutic action by restoring the altered parameters to almost normal levels. Simultaneously, BCA increased the activities and mRNA expressions of enzymatic antioxidants by upregulating the Nrf-2 pathway and inhibiting the NF-κB cascade.

CONCLUSION

BCA may attenuate obesity and its associated cardiomyopathy by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation through activation of the Nrf-2 pathway and inhibition of NF-κB activation.

Phenolic fraction extracted from Kedrostis foetidissima leaves ameliorated isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity in rats through restoration of cardiac antioxidant status

In this study, the cardioprotective effects of partially purified phenolic fraction of Kedrostis foetidissima leaves (PFK) were evaluated in isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction rat model. ISO induction to experimental rats for two consecutive days significantly increased the levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, phospholipids, free fatty acids, low-density lipoproteins, and cardiac biomarker enzymes, and decreased the levels of high-density lipoproteins and antioxidant enzyme activity. Pretreatment of experimental rats with PFK for 45 days led to a significant elevation in antioxidant enzyme activity. PFK-pretreated rats exhibited significantly reduced levels of circulating lipids and cardiac-specific biomarker enzymes compared to ISO-treated rats. Thus, the present study demonstrated that PFK ameliorated ISO-induced cardiotoxicity through the augmentation of the endogenous cardiac antioxidant system, thereby modulating the lipid peroxidation caused by ISO-induced free radicals, and prevented the myocardial damage, which was confirmed through histopathological analysis. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Kedrostis foetidissima is edible medicinal plant and phenolic fraction extracted from the leaves of this plant may help the common man in the protection of heart. The phenolic fraction shows significant antioxidant activity, so this might be referred to as dietary supplement and also helps to develop new pharmaceutical formulations.

Targeting obesity with plant-derived pancreatic lipase inhibitors: A comprehensive review

The prevalence of obesity is alarmingly increasing in the last few decades and leading to many serious public health concerns worldwide. The dysregulated lipid homeostasis due to various genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors is considered one of the critical putative pathways mediating obesity. Nonetheless, the scientific advancements unleashing the molecular dynamics of lipid metabolism have provided deeper insights on the emerging roles of lipid hydrolysing enzymes, including pancreatic lipase. It is hypothesized that inhibiting pancreatic lipase would prevent the breakdown of triglyceride and delays the absorption of fatty acids into the systemic circulation and adipocytes. Whilst, orlistat is the only conventional pancreatic lipase enzyme inhibitor available in clinics, identifying the safe clinical alternatives from plants to inhibit pancreatic lipase has been considered a significant advancement. Consequently, plants which have shown significant potential to combat obesity are now revisited for its abilities to inhibit pancreatic lipase. In this regard, our review surveyed the potential of medicinal plants and its phytoconstituents to inhibit pancreatic lipase and to elicit anti-obesity effects. Thus, the review collate and critically appraise the potential of medicinal plants and phyto-molecules inhibiting pancreatic lipase enzyme and consequently modulating triglyceride absorption in gut, and discuss its implications in the development of novel therapeutic strategies to combat obesity.

Antiobesity Effect of Biochanin-A: Effect on Trace Element Metabolism in High Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Rats

BACKGROUND

Imbalanced diets have contributed to the increased prevalence of obesity and other metabolic disorders in the modern world including trace element metabolism. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES

The present study investigated the effects of Biochanin A (BCA) on the changes in element metabolism induced by HFD-induced obese rats.

METHODS

BCA was administered orally for 30 days to experimental obese rats. Changes in body weight, glucose, insulin resistance and lipid profiles of plasma, as well as the level of trace elements (Fe, Zn, Mg and Cu) in various tissues (liver, kidney, heart and pancreas) and hepsidine and heme oxygenase, were observed in experimental rats.

RESULTS

The administration of BCA elicited a significant (p<0.05) reduction in, glucose, insulin, ferritin, total cholesterol, phospholipids, free fatty acids, VLDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides and hepsidin. Significant alterations were observed in trace elements level, HDL-C, transferrin, bilirubin and HO - 1 level.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggested that HFD results in derangement of trace elements in the tissues of rats fed with HFD. BCA may alleviate the derangement of HFD induced trace elements metabolism by modulating hyperglycemic and insulin resistance status and altering hepcidin and HO-1.