Combined treatment of mulberry leaf and fruit extract ameliorates obesity-related inflammation and oxidative stress in high fat diet-induced obese mice

The Role of Nutraceuticals and Probiotics in Addition to Lifestyle Intervention in the Management of Childhood Obesity-Part 1: Metabolic Changes

Childhood obesity is a growing global health issue. Its rising prevalence is linked to genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Obesity in children could lead to different comorbidities and complications with an increased risk of metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). First-line treatment involves dietary modifications and lifestyle changes; however, adherence is often poor and remains a significant challenge. Pharmacotherapy, while a potential option, has limitations in availability and can cause side effects, leading to growing interest in alternative treatments, such as nutraceutical compounds. Derived from natural sources, these compounds have different anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, neuroprotective, antiaging, antitumor, insulin-sensitizing, glucose, and lipid-lowering effects. This review describes commonly used nutraceutical compounds, such as omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, polyphenols (such as resveratrol and curcumin), berberine, white mulberry leaves and others, and pre- and probiotics in the management of obesity, evaluating the evidence on their mechanisms of action and efficacy in metabolic comorbidities. The evidence suggests that the integration of nutraceuticals into the diet may positively influence body mass index, glucose metabolism, lipid profiles, and gut microbiota composition and reduce inflammation in obese individuals. These effects may provide future practical guidance for clinical practice, contribute to metabolic health improvement, and potentially prevent obesity-related complications. In this first part, we discuss the effects of nutraceutical compounds on insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance, T2DM, dyslipidemia, and MASLD in addition to diet and lifestyle interventions.

Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential of Mulberry Fruit Extract in High-Fat Diet-Induced Male Reproductive Dysfunction: A Comprehensive Review

High-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity represents a significant challenge to male reproductive health, affecting approximately 13% of the global adult population. This comprehensive review synthesizes current evidence regarding mulberry (Morus alba L.) fruit extract's therapeutic potential for HFD-induced male reproductive dysfunction. Through comprehensive analysis of the peer-reviewed literature from multiple databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar; 2005-2024), we evaluated mulberry extract's effects on testicular morphology, spermatogenesis, sperm parameters, and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Mechanistic studies reveal that standardized mulberry extract mediates protective effects through multiple pathways: enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD: +45%, Catalase: +38%, GPx: +35%), reduced inflammatory markers (TNF-α: -64%, IL-6: -58%), and modulated NF-κB signaling (-42.3%). These effects are facilitated by mulberry's rich phytochemical profile, particularly anthocyanins (2.92-5.35 mg/g dry weight) and polyphenols (4.23-6.38 mg/g). The extract demonstrates particular efficacy in preserving seminiferous tubule integrity and maintaining blood-testis barrier function, with treated groups maintaining up to 85% of normal tubular architecture compared to HFD controls. Key molecular mechanisms include AMPK/SIRT1 pathway activation (2.3-fold increase), enhanced mitochondrial function (67% increase in mtDNA copy number), and epigenetic regulation of metabolic pathways. Temporal analysis indicates optimal therapeutic effects after 28 days of treatment, with initial improvements observable within 14 days. While current evidence is promising, limitations include predominant reliance on rodent models and lack of standardized extraction protocols. Future research priorities include well-designed human clinical trials, standardization of preparation methods, and investigation of potential synergistic effects with other therapeutic agents. This comprehensive review indicates that mulberry extract is a promising therapeutic candidate for obesity-related male infertility, warranting further clinical investigation.

Morus alba: natural and valuable effects in weight loss management

Overweight and obesity are conditions associated with serious comorbidities, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Prevalence of excessive fat accumulation is increasing worldwide, and thus the need for efficient and sustainable weight loss regimes has become a major issue in clinical practice. Despite the important advances in the development of anti-obesity medications (AOM), their side effects, cost, and accessibility, are limiting factors for their routine use. Conversely, the studies of medicinal plants for weight management holds strong promise as a growing area of research. This review consolidates the representative evidence about the beneficial impacts of Morus alba on weight management and associated metabolic parameters, encompassing: inhibition of digestive enzymes, and thus contribution to the energy deficit required for weight loss, improvements in glucose and lipid metabolism, and attenuation of adiposity. Findings from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical investigations reviewed in the paper, demonstrate that white mulberry extracts have the potency to supplement efficiently and safely a healthy weight management approach.

Flavonoids from mulberry leaves inhibit fat production and improve fatty acid distribution in adipose tissue in finishing pigs

This study evaluated the effects of flavonoids from mulberry leaves (FML) on plasma biochemical indices, serum activities of lipid metabolism-related enzymes, fat morphology, fatty acid composition, and lipid metabolism in different adipose tissues of finishing pigs. We used 120 Chinese hybrid barrows of Berkshire and Bama mini-pigs with an average initial body weight of 45.11 ± 4.23 kg. The pigs were randomly assigned to five treatment groups and fed a control diet based on corn, soybean meal, and wheat bran or a control diet supplemented with 0.02%, 0.04%, 0.08%, or 0.16% FML. Each experimental group had six replicates (pens), with four pigs per pen. After a 7-d adaptation period, the feeding trial was conducted for 58 d. Blood and adipose tissue samples were collected from 30 pigs (one pig per pen) at the end of the test. The results showed that FML supplementation significantly decreased the feed intake to body gain ratio, the plasma concentrations of total cholesterol and free fatty acids, and the serum activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (linear or quadratic effects, P < 0.05), and decreased the plasma triglyceride concentration (quadratic, P = 0.07). Increasing FML supplementation increased the average daily gain and serum activities of lipoprotein lipase (linear and quadratic effects, P < 0.05) and adipose triglyceride lipase (linear, P < 0.05). Dietary FML supplementation decreased the adipocyte area in the dorsal subcutaneous adipose (DSA) tissue of finishing pigs (linear, P = 0.05) and increased the adipocyte area in the visceral adipose tissue (quadratic, P < 0.01). Increasing FML supplementation decreased the C20:1 content in DSA, abdominal subcutaneous adipose, and visceral adipose tissues of finishing pigs (P < 0.05) and increased the C18:3n3 and n-3 PUFA contents (P < 0.05). The lipid metabolism genes were regulated by the PPARγ-LXRα-ABCA1 signaling pathway, and their expressions differed in different adipose tissues. These findings suggest that FML improved growth performance, regulated lipid metabolism, inhibited fat production, and improved fatty acid distribution in the adipose tissue of finishing pigs, thereby improving pig fat's nutritional quality and health value.

Effects of Supplementation of Murici (Byrsonima crassifolia) and Taperebá (Spondias mombin) Pulp Extracts on Food Intake, Body Parameters, and Oxidative Stress Markers in Healthy Rats

This study evaluates the effects of supplementation of murici (Byrsonima crassifolia) and taperebá (Spondias mombin) pulp extracts on dietary intake, body composition, biochemical parameters, and markers of oxidative stress. Two experiments were conducted with a total of 80 healthy male Wistar rats and a 30-day supplementation. In the first experiment, animals were divided into control (C) group, murici group 50 mg/(kg⸱day) (50Mu), murici group 100 mg/(kg⸱day) (100Mu), and murici group 200 mg/(kg⸱day) (200Mu). In the second experiment, animals were divided into C group, taperebá group 50 mg/(kg⸱day) (50Tap), taperebá group 100 mg/(kg⸱day) (100Tap), and taperebá group 200 mg/(kg⸱day) (200Tap). Results showed lower feed intake in 50Mu, 100Mu, and 100Tap groups (13%, 12%, and 10%, respectively, P < .05) and lower body fat in 200Mu, 100Tap, and 200Tap groups (16.0%, 29.1%, and 27.1%, respectively, P < .05). Only the 100Tap group showed reduced adipose tissue content (30.4%; P < .05). Increased plasma antioxidant capacity was observed at all doses for both fruits. Taperebá supplementation reduced ferrous oxidation-xylenol orange levels (50Tap: 8.4%, 100Tap: 16.1%, 200Tap: 24.3%; P < .05) and increased thiol levels (50Tap: 39%, 100Tap: 31%; P < .05). Serum thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels were reduced in all groups receiving taperebá (50Tap: 77.7%, 100Tap: 73.1%, 200Tap: 73.8%; P < .05) and murici (50Mu: 44.5%, 100Mu: 34%, 200Mu: 43%; P < .05). Therefore, it is suggested that the inclusion of these fruits in the diet can contribute to health maintenance and disease prevention, through their effects on controlling food intake, improving body composition, and in combating oxidative stress.

Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss

The Federal Drug Administration has approved, following rigorous testing, 6 pharmacologic agents and one drug in device form for the management of overweight and obesity. Myriad products that purport to act on physiological mechanisms leading to weight loss also pervade the market with minimal regulatory oversight. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of these products and their ingredients fail to establish any as meaningfully effective at the clinical level. Moreover, safety concerns prevail with adulteration, hypersensitivity reactions, and recognized adverse reactions. Lifestyle, pharmacologic, and bariatric surgical treatments are increasingly available, effective, and safe management tools for practitioners who should council patients, many of whom are susceptible to misinformation, on the lack effective and safe dietary supplements for weight loss.

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.

Tectorigenin ameliorated high-fat diet-induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease through anti-inflammation and modulating gut microbiota in mice

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a complex pathogenesis of liver disease combined with liver inflammation and gut microbiota dysbiosis. Tectorigenin (Tg) is derived from many plants with excellent anti-inflammation activity. However, the beneficial effect of Tg on NAFLD associated with gut microbiota remained unclear. This study aimed to investigate the underlying beneficial effect of Tg on NAFLD in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Results showed that Tg alleviated lipid profiles and liver steatosis, and reduced serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and total bile acid (TBA) levels. Besides, RT-qPCR and Western blot suggested that Tg alleviated hepatic lipid accumulation through inhibiting the lipogenesis and promoting the lipolysis, prevented gut-derived LPS-induced liver inflammatory via restoring intestinal barrier and restraining pro-inflammatory cytokines release, meanwhile, promoted the BA circulation via activating BA receptor and promoting BA synthesis. Moreover, Tg reverted the HFD-induced gut microbial dysbiosis by promoting the growth of beneficial Akkermansia, and inhibiting the proportions of harmful microbes, including Blautia, Lachnoclostridium, Lachnospiraceae_UCG-006, Roseburia, Romboutsia and Faecalibaculum, which were highly correlated with NAFLD-related parameters in serum and liver. Thus, Tg could attenuate NAFLD through mediating the liver-gut axis, and it could be used as a dietary supplement for NAFLD treatment via its anti-inflammatory and prebiotic effects.

Some Common Medicinal Plants with Antidiabetic Activity, Known and Available in Europe (A Mini-Review)

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that affected 9.3% of adults worldwide in 2019. Its co-occurrence is suspected to increase mortality from COVID-19. The treatment of diabetes is mainly based on the long-term use of pharmacological agents, often expensive and causing unpleasant side effects. There is an alarming increase in the number of pharmaceuticals taken in Europe. The aim of this paper is to concisely collect information concerning the few antidiabetic or hypoglycaemic raw plant materials that are present in the consciousness of Europeans and relatively easily accessible to them on the market and sometimes even grown on European plantations. The following raw materials are discussed in this mini-review: Morus alba L., Cinnamomum zeylanicum J.Presl, Trigonella foenum-graecum L., Phaseolus vulgaris L., Zingiber officinale Rosc., and Panax ginseng C.A.Meyer in terms of scientifically tested antidiabetic activity and the presence of characteristic biologically active compounds and their specific properties, including antioxidant properties. The characteristics of these raw materials are based on in vitro as well as in vivo studies: on animals and in clinical studies. In addition, for each plant, the possibility to use certain morphological elements in the light of EFSA legislation is given.

Mulberry leaf (Morus alba L.): A review of its potential influences in mechanisms of action on metabolic diseases

The leaves of Morus alba L. (called Sangye in Chinese, ML), which belong to the genus Morus., are highly valuable edible plants in nutrients and nutraceuticals. In Asian countries including China, Japan and Korea, ML are widely used as functional foods including beverages, noodles and herbal tea because of its biological and nutritional value. Meanwhile, ML-derived products in the form of powders, extracts and capsules are widely consumed as dietary supplements for controlling blood glucose and sugar. Clinical studies showed that ML play an important role in the treatment of metabolic diseases including the diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity, atherosclerosis and hypertension. People broadly use ML due to their nutritiousness, deliciousness, safety, and abundant active benefits. However, the systematic pharmacological mechanisms of ML on metabolic diseases have not been fully revealed. Therefore, in order to fully utilize and scale relevant products about ML, this review summarizes the up-to-date information about the ML and its constituents effecting on metabolic disease.

Dried mulberry fruit ameliorates cardiovascular and liver histopathological changes in high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic mice

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Metabolic disease encompasses most contemporary non-communicable diseases, especially cardiovascular and fatty liver disease. Mulberry fruits of Morus alba L. are a favoured food and a traditional medicine. While they are anti-atherosclerotic and reduce hyperlipidemic risk factors, studies need wider scope that include ameliorating cardiovascular and liver pathologies if they are to become clinically effective treatments. Therefore, the present study sought to show that freshly dried mulberry fruits (dMF) might counteract the metabolic/cardiovascular pathologies in mice made hyperlipidemic by high-fat diet (HF).

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

C57BL/6J mice were fed for 3 months with either: i) control diet, ii) HF, iii) HF+100 mg/kg dMF, or iv) HF+300 mg/kg dMF. Body weight gain, food intake, visceral fat accumulation, fasting blood glucose, plasma lipids, and aortic, heart, and liver histopathologies were evaluated. Adipocyte lipid accumulation, autophagy, and bile acid binding were also investigated.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

HF increased food intake, body weight, visceral fat, plasma total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), TC/HDL ratio, blood glucose, aortic collagen, arterial and cardiac wall thickness, and liver lipid. Both dMF doses prevented hyperphagia, body weight gain, and visceral fat accumulation, lowered blood glucose, plasma TG and unfavourable TC/HDL and elevated plasma HDL beyond baseline. Arterial and cardiac wall hypertrophy, aortic collagen fibre accumulation and liver lipid deposition ameliorated in dMF-fed mice. Clinical trials on dMF are worthwhile but outcomes should be holistic commensurate with the constellation of disease risks. Here, dMF should supplement the switch to nutrient-rich from current energy-dense diets that are progressively crippling national health systems.

The Review of Anti-aging Mechanism of Polyphenols on Caenorhabditis elegans

Micronutrients extracted from natural plants or made by biological synthesis are widely used in anti-aging research and applications. Among more than 30 effective anti-aging substances, employing polyphenol organic compounds for modification or delaying of the aging process attracts great interest because of their distinct contribution in the prevention of degenerative diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. There is a profound potential for polyphenol extracts in the research of aging and the related diseases of the elderly. Previous studies have mainly focused on the properties of polyphenols implicated in free radical scavenging; however, the anti-oxidant effect cannot fully elaborate its biological functions, such as neuroprotection, Aβ protein production, ion channel coupling, and signal transduction pathways. Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) has been considered as an ideal model organism for exploring the mechanism of anti-aging research and is broadly utilized in screening for natural bioactive substances. In this review, we have described the molecular mechanisms and pathways responsible for the slowdown of aging processes exerted by polyphenols. We also have discussed the possible mechanisms for their anti-oxidant and anti-aging properties in C. elegans from the perspective of different classifications of the specific polyphenols, such as flavonols, anthocyanins, flavan-3-ols, hydroxybenzoic acid, hydroxycinnamic acid, and stilbenes.

Pilosocereus gounellei (Cactaceae) stem extract decreases insulin resistance, inflammation, oxidative stress, and cardio-metabolic risk in diet-induced obese mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Pilosocereus gounellei (xique-xique) is a popular cactus from Caatinga, traditionally used to counter inflammatory processes and indicated as a hypoglycemic agent. Previous studies have shown that mice treated orally with saline extract of P. gounellei stem (containing flavonoids and sugars) showed decreased serum lipid levels.

AIM OF THE STUDY

In this work, we evaluated whether this extract would have beneficial effects against hyperglycemia and inflammatory status related to obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD).

METHODS

Obese animals were treated daily per os with the extract (EXT; 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg), metformin (MET; 400 mg/kg), or saline solution (diet-induced obese, DIO) for 21 days. A group of non-obese animals served as the control. We evaluated lipid profile, glucose and insulin tolerance, atherogenic indices, histological alterations, cytokine levels, and oxidative stress in liver, muscle, and adipose tissue.

RESULTS

At the end of the experiment, mice from EXT groups showed lower body weight and total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides compared with the DIO group; in addition, HDL-cholesterol levels and glucose and insulin tolerance were similar to those of the control group. When compared with the DIO group, the extract-treated mice showed reduction in cardiac risk ratio, atherogenic coefficient, atherogenic index of plasma, and Castelli's Risk Index II; decrease in epididymal fat; reduction in steatosis, collagen deposition, and liver inflammation; lower serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1); inhibited lipid peroxidation; and increased superoxide dismutase levels in liver, muscle, and adipose tissue.

CONCLUSION

The P. gounellei saline extract was able to improve physiological parameters of obese mice, which highlight the potential of this plant as source of compounds with biotechnological relevance for pharmaceutical industry.

Research trends in obesity & obesogenic environments in Korea

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Globally, it has been projected that there will be 2 billion overweight and 1 billion obese individuals by 2030. In Korea, the prevalence of adult obesity (BMI>25) increased from 29.7% in 2009 to 32.4% in 2015. Moreover, childhood obesity, which leads to adulthood obesity, has increasingly become a social problem. The purpose of this review is to summarize the scientific basis for the development of effective models and policies aimed at preventing obesity over a lifetime based on research modeling obesogenic environments.

MATERIALS/METHODS

The review focuses on the characteristics of obesity prevalence and trends in 3P analysis (papers, patents, and products) as well as government-funded projects in Korean obesity obesogenic environments over the last 10 years.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

As a result of the 3P analysis, studies on obesity risk factors were frequently carried out, according to two data bases RISS (4.9%) and PubMed (24.7%). Since there were only 17% patents related to the mechanism of preventing obesity in 7,951 Korean patents related to obesity, new paradigms of technologies to dominate the global obesity markets are needed. After government-funded projects were analyzed, communication and cooperation in multi-governmental departments were suggested to elucidate the characteristics of Korean obesity. Government should also produce short- and long-term road maps to develop a practical, successful outcome. Although the rate of obesity in Korea is currently lower than in other developed countries according to WHO criteria, without adequate governmental intervention, obesity rates will approach those of the top countries with high incidence rates of obesity within the next 10 years.

Assessment of mulberry leaf as a potential feed supplement for animal feeding in P.R. China

OBJECTIVE

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) is a cultivated shrub grown widely in the sub-tropical and tropical areas. It has been shown that mulberry leaf contains high levels of protein while having polyphenols as phytonutrients. Therefore, it is important to conduct an experiment to assess potential toxic level from mulberry on behavior, blood hematological and coagulation parameter using Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.

METHODS

Both male and female SD rats were given an intragastric administration of respective treatments of mulberry leaf intakes (control, low and high levels). Parameters of feed intake, hematological and coagulation of blood parameters, as well as liveweight changes were taken during the 7 d of adaptation, 28 d of treatment exposure, and 14 d of recovery periods, respectively. All treatment data were statistically analyzed using analysis of variance of SPSS17.0 for Windows Statistical Software following the Randomized complete block design with sex as a block.

RESULTS

Most of the parameters of the physical symptoms of the SD rats, were not significantly different (p>0.05) when compared with that of the control group. Those which remain unchanged in each dose group were, body weight (BW) gain, feed intake, the hematology and coagulation indexes. Although, there were a few individual indicators that were abnormal, but the overall physiological appearance of the rats were normal.

CONCLUSION

Results under this experiment revealed that most hematological and coagulation parameters of the SD rats in both male and female were normal, although the weight gain of female rats in high-dose group was significantly reduced than those of the male rats. Under this study, the use of mulberry leaf up to 2 g/kg BW did not result in abnormal phenomenon in the SD rats. These findings would offer useful information for further in vivo feeding trials in animals to extensively use of mulberry leaf to improve animal production, particularly in P.R. China.

Morus alba (mulberry), a natural potent compound in management of obesity

Obesity is defined as body mass index, higher than 30 kg/m², which are associated with diverse diseases including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, coronary diseases, certain cancers, osteoarthritis and dyslipidemia. The subject of this review article was to evaluate the potency of Morus alba or "mulberry" as natural potent anti-obesity agent in management of obesity. For writing this manuscript, we searched in all accessible international databases, electronic resources (PubMed, Science Direct, Springer, Wiley and Google), unpublished data (R&D reports, thesis and dissertation). The inhibitory effects of mulberry on digestive enzymes and adipocyte differentiation, and its stimulatory effects on energy expenditures, and lipid metabolism are responsible mechanisms for management of obesity in obese patients. Furthermore, the results of these preclinical studies and its related mechanisms should be evaluated in large clinical trials.

Anti-obesity effect of argel (Solenostemma argel) on obese rats fed a high fat diet

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Solenostemma argel (Argel) is a desert plant commonly used in Egyptian and Sudanese traditional medicine to suppress appetite, for treatment of diabetes, and as an antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory agent. Previously the anti-diabetic, hypolipidemic and lipase inhibitory activities of Argel were reported in animal studies and in-vitro assays. However, its specific mechanism of action as an anti-obesity agent has not been studied before.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Assessment of the possible anti-obesity effect of Solenostemma argel on diet-induced obesity and elucidation of its mechanism of action, as well as, standardization of the active plant extract.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The ethanolic extract (EtOH-E) and its fractions (CH₂Cl₂-F: methylene chloride and BuOH-F: n-butanol) were prepared from the aerial parts of S. argel and studied at two dose levels; 200 and 400 mg kg^-1 in a model of high fat diet (HFD) fed rats. The animals (72 Male Wister rats) were assigned into 9 groups: group (i) fed with normal diet and groups (ii-iv) fed with high fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks and treated with orlistat, EtOH-E, CH₂Cl₂-F and BuOH-F in the beginning of the 8th week. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were analysed for lipid and liver biomarkers, glucose and insulin levels, as well as, adipokines and inflammatory markers. Liver and adipose tissues were examined histopathologically and their homogenates were used to determine levels of oxidative stress markers and lipogenesis-related genes. Body weight was monitored weekly during the experiment.

RESULTS

Our data showed that consumption of S. argel significantly controlled weight gain, attenuated liver steatosis, improved the lipid profile, modulated adipokines activities, increased β-oxidation gene expression, as well as, decreased the expression of lipogenesis-related genes and ameliorated inflammatory and lipid peroxidation derangement. The ethanolic extract was also standardized using LC-MS analysis for its content of stemmoside C.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study revealed that S. argel is a promising Egyptian natural drug, rich in pregnane glycosides, and could be considered a new therapeutic candidate targeting obesity.

Morus alba, a Medicinal Plant for Appetite Suppression and Weight Loss

The prevalence of obesity is expanding rapidly worldwide, making the disease a global burden with limited treatment options. The current obesity drug development trends suggest the possibility of reducing weight and reverse metabolic disturbances of obesity by controlling appetite. In this study, we screened more than 8000 plants from our plant library for the cannabinoid (CB₁) receptor antagonists and identified Morus alba as a lead medicinal plant. Kuwanon G and Albanin G were isolated and identified from root-barks of Morus alba with 92% and 96% CB₁ receptor ligand binding inhibitory activity, respectively. The bioflavonoid standardized extract was tested in the acute food intake study in rats at oral doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg for its appetite suppression activity. Diet-induced obesity in the C57BL/6J mice was used to evaluate the long-term food intake reduction activity and effect on the weight loss administered orally at 250 and 500 mg/kg for 7 weeks. Statistically significant and dose-dependent reduction in food intake was observed in both acute and long-term studies for the extract. Food intake reductions of 58.6% and 44.8% at 250 mg/kg and 50.1% and 44.3% at 500 mg/kg were observed at 1 and 2 h postfood provision, respectively. A 20% reduction in daily calorie intake was observed in the long-term study. Obese mice treated with the high dose of Morus root-bark extract showed 10.4 g (22.5%) and 7.1 g (16.5%) loss in body weight compared with the vehicle-treated obese animals (at week 7) and baseline, respectively. Statistically significant reductions in biochemical markers and visceral fat deposit were also observed. These results demonstrated that Morus alba extracts enriched in Kuwanon G, and Albanin G could be used alone to control appetite, manage body weight, and improve metabolic syndromes.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of High Hydrostatic Pressure Extract of Mulberry (Morus alba) Fruit on LPS-Stimulated RAW264.7 Cells

Mulberry fruit (Morus alba L.) contains abundant bioactive compounds, including anthocyanins and flavonols, and has been reported to possess potent beneficial properties including anticancer, antidiabetic, and anti-oxidant effects. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) processing, a nonthermal food processing technology, is suitable for the extraction of bioactive compounds from plants. Nevertheless, the anti-inflammatory effects of HHP extract of mulberry fruit (HM) in RAW264.7 cells remain unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of HM on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in vitro. RAW264.7 cells were treated with various concentrations (0.1-1 μg/mL) of HM in the presence or absence of LPS. HM inhibited the inflammatory mediator, nitric oxide (NO) release, and mRNA expression of nitric oxide synthase 2 (NOS2) in LPS-induced RAW264.7 cells. In addition, HM suppressed both mRNA and protein expressions of prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2). Moreover, it reduced the LPS-induced secretion of proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. These results revealed that HM exerts anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting several mediators and cytokines involved in the inflammatory process.

Mitigation of stress from gastric mucosal injuries by mulberry extract may occur via nitric oxide synthase signaling in mice

Acute gastric mucosal injuries are serious clinical problems worldwide and are principally found with different types of stresses in animals. A constant challenge is to find original plant products that can combat stress. In the present study, we examined the effects of big-leaf mulberry extracts on stomach injury, and the activity of nitric oxide synthases (NOS) and total antioxidant activity (TAO) in the gastric mucosae of mice during water immersion and restraint stress (WIRS). Our data showed that WIRS-exposed mice produced several injuries and showed an enhanced iNOS, reduced eNOS activity, and decreased TAO activity in the stomach, whereas pretreatment with big-leaf mulberry extracts increased TAO activitiy. The data from our immunohistochemical study indicated that both iNOS and eNOS were expressed in parietal cells and blood vessels, while nNOS was only weakly expressed in parietal cells. In conclusion, our findings suggested that big-leaf mulberry mitigated WIRS-induced stomach injuries, and NOS signaling may play important roles in the mouse stomach during the recovery process.

Influence of Tannin Extract and Yeast Extract on Color Preservation and Anthocyanin Content of Mulberry Wine

The color of mulberry wine is extremely unstable in processing and aging. This paper investigates the effects of tannin extract and yeast extract on the color and color-preserving characteristics of mulberry wine made from the Dashi cultivar. The results showed that the maximum absorption wavelength in both tannin extract and yeast extract groups changed generating the red shift effect. The color of the tannin extract maintained a good gloss in the first 4 months, while the yeast extract group showed remarkable color preservation for the first 3 months. The total anthocyanin and cyanidin-3-rutinoside contents in both experiment groups were significantly higher than that of the control group, thus proving that tannin extract and yeast extract both exert a remarkably positive effect on preserving the color of mulberry wine during its aging. Moreover, sensory analysis indicated that the quality of mulberry wine treated with tannin extract was significantly higher than that of the control.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

The distinct color of mulberry wine is one of the foremost qualities that imprints on consumers' senses, but it is extremely unstable in processing and aging. However, the color protection of mulberry wine was not studied previously. In this study, we found that tannin extract and yeast extract both exert a remarkably positive effect on preserving the color of mulberry wine during aging. The study is of great significance as a guide to improving the color stability of mulberry wine, thereby also improving and promoting the development of the mulberry deep processing industry.

Mango Supplementation Has No Effects on Inflammatory Mediators in Obese Adults

This pilot study examined the effects of freeze-dried mango (Mangifera indica L.) supplementation on anthropometric measurements, lipid parameters, and inflammatory mediators in obese individuals. A total of 20 obese (body mass index [BMI]: 30-35 kg/m2) adults (11 men and 9 women), aged 20 to 50 years, received 10 g/d of ground freeze-dried mango pulp for 12 weeks. Anthropometrics, lipids, and inflammatory mediators were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks of mango supplementation. There were no differences between baseline and final visits in inflammatory mediators, lipids, diet, physical activity, and anthropometrics. Relationships were present at baseline and final visits between adiponectin and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and between leptin and fat mass. Correlations were found after 12 weeks of mango supplementation between leptin and the following variables: waist-to-height ratio, BMI, percent fat, and fat mass. Our findings demonstrate that 12-week consumption of freeze-dried mango by obese individuals has no impact on obesity-related inflammation.

Anthocyanins in black rice, soybean and purple corn increase fecal butyric acid and prevent liver inflammation in high fat diet-induced obese mice

Epidemiological evidence indicates that anthocyanin consumption reduces the incidence of chronic and degenerative diseases. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine whether black rice anthocyanin (BRA), black soybean anthocyanin (BSA), and purple corn anthocyanin (PCA) could mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation associated obesity in C57BL/6 mice fed with a high-fat diet. BRA, BSA, or PCA was administered at doses of 200 mg kg-1 throughout the 12-week experiment and reduced the bodyweight by 9.6%, 13.3%, or 16.6%, respectively. Furthermore, BRA, BSA or PCA administration could effectively increase fecal butyric acid levels, elevate hepatic SOD and GPx activities, decrease lipid peroxidation, and downregulate the gene expression levels of TNFα, IL-6, iNOS, and NF-κB. Hence, BRA, BSA, or PCA might ameliorate diet-induced obesity by alleviating both oxidative stress and inflammation.

Effect of Lactic Acid Bacteria-Fermented Mulberry Leaf Extract on the Improvement of Intestinal Function in Rats

This study examined the laxative effects of mulberry leaf extract (MLE) fermented by lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which contains high levels of polyphenolic and flavonoid compounds, against loperamide-induced constipation in rats. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a normal group (N) and three experimental groups; loperamide treated group (C), loperamide and LAB-fermented MLE 300 mg/kg treated group (MLEL), and loperamide and LAB-fermented MLE 600 mg/kg treated group (MLEH). After 33 d, fecal pellet amount, fecal weight, water content of fecal, gastrointestinal transit time and length, and serum lipid profiles were measured. Constipation was induced via subcutaneous injection of loperamide (2.0 mg/kg b.w., twice a day) for the final 5 d of the experiment. After loperamide administration, the LAB-fermented MLE groups showed a significantly increase in the fecal pellets number, wet weight, and water content in rats compared with the C group. Moreover, increases in the intestinal length and viable Lactobacillus numbers in the feces were observed in the LAB-fermented MLE groups. The intestinal transit time was shorter in the LAB-fermented MLE groups than in the C group. In addition, the LAB-fermented MLE groups showed a significant decrease in triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and an increase in HDL-cholesterol level. These results indicated that oral administration of LAB-fermented MLE shows laxative effect in loperamide-induced constipated rats.

A Botanical Composition from Morus alba, Ilex paraguariensis, and Rosmarinus officinalis for Body Weight Management

Obesity is the largest and fastest growing public health catastrophe in the world affecting both adults and children with a prevalence impacting more than one-third of United States (US) adult population. Although the long-term solution lies in lifestyle changes in the form of dieting and exercise, intervention is required for those who are already obese. Unfortunately, treatment options remain quite limited due to associated side effects of conventional therapeutics. As a natural alternative, in this study we describe the beneficial effect of a standardized composition (UP603) comprised of extracts from Morus alba, Ilex paraguariensis, and Rosmarinus officinalis in improving metabolic disorders in high fat diet (HFD) and high fat & high fructose diet (HFFD) induced obese C57BL/6J mice. Mice treated with UP603 showed dose-correlated decrease in body weight gains compared to vehicle treated HFFD group. Following 7 weeks of treatment, the changes in body weight gains from baseline were found as 6.4%, 27.3%, 2.0%, 3.1%, 0.4%, and -2.9% for normal control diet, HFFD, Orlistat, 450, 650, and 850 mg/kg UP603 treated animals, respectively. Reductions of 7.9-21.1% in total cholesterol, 25.4-44.6% in triglyceride, and 22.5-38.2% in low-density lipoprotein were observed for mice treated with 450-850 mg/kg of UP603. In a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scan, percentage body fat of 18.9%, 47.8%, 46.1%, and 40.4% were found for mice treated with normal control, HFD, Orlistat, and UP603, respectively. Reductions of 65.5% and 16.4% in insulin and leptin, respectively, and 2.1-fold increase in ghrelin level were also observed for the UP603 group. Statistically significant improvements in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis scores were also observed from liver histology for mice treated with UP603. Hence, UP603, a standardized botanical composition from M. alba, I. paraguariensis, and R. officinalis could potentially be considered as a natural alternative to maintain healthy body weight and to manage metabolic syndrome.

UP601, a standardized botanical composition composed of Morus alba, Yerba mate and Magnolia officinalis for weight loss

Background

The prevalence of obesity is surging in an alarming rate all over the world. Pharmaceutical drugs are considered potential adjunctive therapy to lifestyle modification. However, for most, besides being too expensive, their long term usages are hindered by their severe adverse effects. Here we describe the effect of UP601, a standardized blend of extracts from Morus alba, Yerba mate and Magnolia officinalis, in modulating a number of obesity-related phenotypic and biochemical markers in a high-fat high-fructose (HFF)-induced C57BL/6J mouse model of obesity.

Method

Adipogenesis activity of the composition was assessed in 3T3-L1 cells in vitro. Effects of UP601 on body weight and metabolic markers were evaluated. It was administered at oral doses of 300 mg/kg, 450 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg for 7 weeks. Orlistat (40 mg/kg/day) was used as a positive control. Body compositions of mice were assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Serum biomarkers were measured for liver function and lipid profiling. Relative organ weights were determined. Histopathological analysis was performed for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) scoring.

Results

UP601 at 250 μg/ml resulted in 1.8-fold increase in lipolysis. Statistically significant changes in body weight (decreased by 9.1, 19.6 and 25.6% compared to the HFF group at week-7) were observed for mice treated with UP601 at 300, 450 and 600 mg/kg, respectively. Reductions of 9.1, 16.9, and 18.6% in total cholesterol; 45.0, 55.0, 63.6% in triglyceride; 34.8, 37.1 and 41.6% in LDL; 3.2, 21.6 (P = 0.03) and 33.7% (P = 0.005) in serum glucose were observed for UP601 at 300, 450 and 600 mg/kg, respectively. Body fat distribution was found reduced by 31.6 and 17.2% for the 450 mg/kg UP601 and orlistat, respectively, from the DEXA scan analysis. Up to an 89.1% reduction in mesenteric fat deposit was observed for UP601 in relative organ weight. Statistically significant improvements in NASH scores were observed for mice treated with UP601.

Conclusion

UP601, a standardized botanical composition from Morus alba, Yerba mate and Magnolia officinalis could potentially be used for achieving healthy weight loss and maintenance.

Appetite Suppression and Antiobesity Effect of a Botanical Composition Composed of Morus alba, Yerba mate, and Magnolia officinalis

Background. Obesity and its comorbidities continue to challenge the world at an alarming rate. Although the long term solution lies on lifestyle changes in the form of dieting and exercising, drug, medical food, or dietary supplement interventions are required for those who are already obese. Here we describe a standardized blend composed of extracts from three medicinal plants: Morus alba, Yerba mate, and Magnolia officinalis for appetite suppression and metabolic disorders management. Method. Extracts were standardized to yield a composition designated as UP601. Appetite suppression activity was tested in acute feed intake rat model. Efficacy was evaluated in C57BL/6J mouse models treated with oral doses of 1.3 g/kg/day for 7 weeks. Orlistat at 40 mg/kg/day was used as a positive control. Body compositions of mice were assessed using a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). ELISA was done for insulin, leptin, and ghrelin level quantitation. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) scoring was conducted. Results. Marked acute hypophagia with 81.8, 75.3, 43.9, and 30.9% reductions in food intake at 2, 4, 6, and 24 hours were observed for UP601. Decreases in body weight gain (21.5% compared to the HFD at weeks 7 and 8.2% compared to baseline) and calorie intake (40.5% for the first week) were observed. 75.9% and 46.8% reductions in insulin and leptin, respectively, 4.2-fold increase in ghrelin level, and reductions of 18.6% in cholesterol and 59% in low-density lipoprotein were documented. A percentage body fat of 18.9%, 47.8%, 46.1%, and 30.4% was found for mice treated with normal control, HFD, Orlistat, and UP601, respectively. 59.3% less mesenteric fat pad and improved NASH scores were observed for UP601. Conclusion. UP601, a standardized botanical composition from Morus alba, Yerba mate, and Magnolia officinalis could be used as a natural alternative for appetite suppression, maintaining healthy body weight and metabolism management.

Redox modulation of adipocyte differentiation: hypothesis of "Redox Chain" and novel insights into intervention of adipogenesis and obesity

In view of the global prevalence of obesity and obesity-associated disorders, it is important to clearly understand how adipose tissue forms. Accumulating data from various laboratories implicate that redox status is closely associated with energy metabolism. Thus, biochemical regulation of the redox system may be an attractive alternative for the treatment of obesity-related disorders. In this work, we will review the current data detailing the role of the redox system in adipocyte differentiation, as well as identifying areas for further research. The redox system affects adipogenic differentiation in an extensive way. We propose that there is a complex and interactive "redox chain," consisting of a "ROS-generating enzyme chain," "combined antioxidant chain," and "transcription factor chain," which contributes to fine-tune the regulation of ROS level and subsequent biological consequences. The roles of the redox system in adipocyte differentiation are paradoxical. The redox system exerts a "tridimensional" mechanism in the regulation of adipocyte differentiation, including transcriptional, epigenetic, and posttranslational modulations. We suggest that redoxomic techniques should be extensively applied to understand the biological effects of redox alterations in a more integrated way. A stable and standardized "redox index" is urgently needed for the evaluation of the general redox status. Therefore, more effort should be made to establish and maintain a general redox balance rather than to conduct simple prooxidant or antioxidant interventions, which have comprehensive implications.

Mulberry leaves (Morus alba L.) ameliorate obesity-induced hepatic lipogenesis, fibrosis, and oxidative stress in high-fat diet-fed mice

Obesity is associated with chronic diseases such as fatty liver, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and severe metabolic syndrome. Obesity causes metabolic impairment including excessive lipid accumulation and fibrosis in the hepatic tissue as well as the increase in oxidative stress. In order to investigate the effect of mulberry leaf (Morus alba L.) extract (MLE) on obesity-induced oxidative stress, lipogenesis, and fibrosis in liver, MLE has been gavaged for 12 weeks in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. MLE treatment significantly ameliorated LXRα-mediated lipogenesis and hepatic fibrosis markers such as α-smooth muscle actin, while MLE up-regulated lipolysis-associated markers such as lipoprotein lipase in the HFD-fed mice. Moreover, MLE normalized the activities of antioxidant enzymes including heme oxygenase-1 and glutathione peroxidase in accordance with protein levels of 4-hydroxynonenal in the HFD-fed mice. MLE has beneficial effects on obesity-related fatty liver disease by regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism, fibrosis, and antioxidant defense system. MLE supplementation might be a potential therapeutic approach for obesity-related disease including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Mori folium and mori fructus mixture attenuates high-fat diet-induced cognitive deficits in mice

Obesity has become a global health problem, contributing to various diseases including diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and dementia. Increasing evidence suggests that obesity can also cause neuronal damage, long-term memory loss, and cognitive impairment. The leaves and the fruits of Morus alba L., containing active phytochemicals, have been shown to possess antiobesity and hypolipidemic properties. Thus, in the present study, we assessed their effects on cognitive functioning in mice fed a high-fat diet by performing immunohistochemistry, using antibodies against c-Fos, synaptophysin, and postsynaptic density protein 95 and a behavioral test. C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet for 21 weeks exhibited increased body weight, but mice coadministered an optimized Mori Folium and Mori Fructus extract mixture (2 : 1; MFE) for the final 12 weeks exhibited significant body weight loss. Additionally, obese mice exhibited not only reduced neural activity, but also decreased presynaptic and postsynaptic activities, while MFE-treated mice exhibited recovery of these activities. Finally, cognitive deficits induced by the high-fat diet were recovered by cotreatment with MFE in the novel object recognition test. Our findings suggest that the antiobesity effects of MFE resulted in recovery of the cognitive deficits induced by the high-fat diet by regulation of neural and synaptic activities.

Brown Alga Ecklonia cava polyphenol extract ameliorates hepatic lipogenesis, oxidative stress, and inflammation by activation of AMPK and SIRT1 in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Obesity is considered to be a metaflammatory condition. Ecklonia cava, brown algae rich in polyphenols, has shown strong antioxidant activity in vitro. This study investigated the effect of E. cava polyphenol extract (ECPE) on the regulation of fat metabolism, inflammation, and the antioxidant defense system in high fat diet-induced obese mice. After obesity was induced by a high-fat diet (HFD), the mice were administered ECPE by gavage for 5 days/12 weeks. ECPE supplementation reduced body weight gain, adipose tissue mass, plasma lipid profiles, hepatic fat deposition, insulin resistance, and the plasma leptin/adiponectin ratio derived from HFD-induced obesity. Moreover, ECPE supplementation selectively ameliorated hepatic protein levels associated with lipogenesis, inflammation, and the antioxidant defense system as well as activation of AMPK and SIRT1. Collectively, ECPE supplement might have potential antiobesity effects via regulation of AMPK and SIRT1 in HFD-induced obesity.

Mulberry and mulberry wine extract increase the number of mitochondria during brown adipogenesis

Mulberry extract (ME) has been shown to possess beneficial effects towards obesity, but its mechanism is still unclear.

Anti-adipogenic effect of mulberry leaf ethanol extract in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Adipogenesis is part of the cell differentiation process in which undifferentiated fibroblasts (pre-adipocytes) become mature adipocytes with the accumulation of lipid droplets and subsequent cell morphological changes. Several transcription factors and food components have been suggested to be involved in adipogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine whether mulberry leaf ethanol extract (MLEE) affects adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

MATERIALS/METHODS

The 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with different doses of MLEE for 8 days starting 2 days post-confluence. Cell viability, fat accumulation, and adipogenesis-related factors including CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), PPARγ coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and adiponectin were analyzed.

RESULTS

Results showed that MLEE treatments at 10, 25, 50, and 100 µg/ml had no effect on cell morphology and viability. Without evident toxicity, all MLEE treated cells had lower fat accumulation compared with control as shown by lower absorbances of Oil Red O stain. MLEE at 50 and 100 µg/ml significantly reduced protein levels of PPARγ, PGC-1α, FAS, and adiponectin in differentiated adipocytes. Furthermore, protein level of C/EBPα was significantly decreased by the treatment of 100 µg/ml MLEE.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate that MLEE treatment has an anti-adipogenic effect in differentiated adipocytes without toxicity, suggesting its potential as an anti-obesity therapeutic.

Protective effects of Big-leaf mulberry and physiological roles of nitric oxide synthases in the testis of mice following water immersion and restraint stress

Big-leaf mulberry is a new hybrid plant from the application of cell engineering technology, but its effect in stress-induced testicular dysfunction is unknown. Nitric oxide (NO) is a tiny, highly reactive lipophilic molecule produced by nitric oxide synthases (NOS). Three isoforms of NOS (neuronal NOS, inducible NOS and endothelial NOS) have been identified. Our aim was to investigate the effect of water immersion and restraint stress (WIRS) on NOS in the testis, and the effect of Big-leaf mulberry to protect against WIRS. The activity and expression of NOS, and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in the mouse testis of different treatment groups (non-WIRS, 3 h-WIRS, WIRS-recovery) were examined. Histological analysis of WIRS-induced testicular damage and immunohistochemical staining of NOS were also analyzed. Results demonstrated that WIRS-exposed mice produced several injuries and showed an increased iNOS and eNOS mRNA expression in testes, whereas pretreatment with Big-leaf mulberry down-regulated iNOS and eNOS mRNA expressions and up-regulated T-AOC activities. Immunohistochemical studies showed that both iNOS and eNOS were localized in germ cells, spermatozoa and blood vessels in addition to Leydig cells and Sertoli cells, but nNOS was not present in these areas. In conclusion, our results suggested that Big-leaf mulberry exerted a protective effect on WIRS-induced testicular dysfunction, and iNOS and eNOS appeared to exert an important action in mouse testes exposed to WIRS.

Antidiabetic and antilipidemic effects of Manilkara zapota

Manilkara zapota is a tropical evergreen tree belonging to the Sapotaceae family; its parts are used in alternative medicine to treat coughs and colds and possess diuretic, antidiarrheal, antibiotic, antihyperglycemic, and hypocholesterolemic effects. There are no studies on metabolic profile after using the fruit, and this study aimed at evaluating the effects of the leaf and pulp of M. zapota fruit on the metabolic profile of Wistar rats. Male rats were treated for 50 days with M. zapota leaf juice or fruit juice, after which their biochemical and body composition profiles were analyzed (glycemia, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), insulin, leptin, aspartate transaminase, alanine aminotransferase, Lee Index, and body mass index). Our results indicate significantly lower levels of glycemia, insulin, leptin, cholesterol, and triglycerides and augmented levels of HDL-c in animals treated with the leaves or fruit of this plant. The percentage of weight gain also declined in animals treated with M. zapota fruit pulp. The use of the M. zapota may be helpful in the prevention of obesity, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and their complications.

Mulberry leaf phenolics ameliorate hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and stabilize mitochondrial membrane potential in HepG2 cells

To investigate the effect of phenolics in mulberry leaves (mulberry leaf phenolics; MLP) on hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) in HepG2 cells; we treated HepG2 with glucose [5.5 (N-Glc) or 50 mmol/L (Hi-Glc)] with or without MLP at 10 or 100 µmol/L gallic acid equivalents and assessed level of reactive oxidant species (ROS), ΔΨm, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) activation. Hi-Glc-induced oxidative damage was demonstrated by a series of increase in superoxides (560%, 0.5 h), MDA (400%, 24 h), NF-κB activation (474%, 4 h) and a wild fluctuation of ΔΨm relative to the control cells (p ≤ 0.05). MLP treatments ameliorate Hi-Glc-induced negative effects by a 40% reduction in ROS production, 34-44% reduction in MDA production, over 35% inhibition of NF-κB activation, as well as exert protective effect on HepG2 cells from change in ΔΨm. Our data show that MLP in vitro can protect hepatoctyes from hyperglycemia-induced oxidative damages.

Iron, oxidative stress, and redox signaling in the cardiovascular system

The redox state of the cell is predominantly dependent on an iron redox couple and is maintained within strict physiological limits. Iron is an essential metal for hemoglobin synthesis in erythrocytes, for oxidation-reduction reactions, and for cellular proliferation. The maintenance of stable iron concentrations requires the coordinated regulation of iron transport into plasma from dietary sources in the duodenum, from recycled senescent red cells in macrophages, and from storage in hepatocytes. The absorption of dietary iron, which is present in heme or nonheme form, is carried out by mature villus enterocytes of the duodenum and proximal jejunum. Multiple physiological processes are involved in maintaining iron homeostasis. These include its storage at the intracellular and extracellular level. Control of iron balance in the whole organism requires communication between sites of uptake, utilization, and storage. Key protein transporters and the molecules that regulate their activities have been identified. In this field, ferritins and hepcidin are the major regulator proteins. A variety of transcription factors may be activated depending on the level of oxidative stress, leading to the expression of different genes. Major preclinical and clinical trials have shown advances in iron-chelation therapy for the treatment of iron-overload disease as well as cardiovascular and chronic inflammatory diseases.

Effect of combined mulberry leaf and fruit extract on liver and skin cholesterol transporters in high fat diet-induced obese mice

Obesity is an epidemic disease characterized by an increased inflammatory state and chronic oxidative stress with high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and lipid peroxidation. Moreover, obesity alters cholesterol metabolism with increases in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterols and triglycerides and decreases in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterols. It has been shown that mulberry leaf and fruit ameliorated hyperglycemic and hyperlipidemic conditions in obese and diabetic subjects. We hypothesized that supplementation with mulberry leaf combined with mulberry fruit (MLFE) ameliorate cholesterol transfer proteins accompanied by reduction of oxidative stress in the high fat diet induced obesity. Mice were fed control diet (CON) or high fat diet (HF) for 9 weeks. After obesity was induced, the mice were administered either the HF or the HF with combination of equal amount of mulberry leaf and fruit extract (MLFE) at 500mg/kg/day by gavage for 12 weeks. MLFE treatment ameliorated HF induced oxidative stress demonstrated by 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and modulated the expression of 2 key proteins involved in cholesterol transfer such as scavenger receptor class B type 1 (SR-B1) and ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) in the HF treated animals. This effect was mainly noted in liver tissue rather than in cutaneous tissue. Collectively, this study demonstrated that MLFE treatment has beneficial effects on the modulation of high fat diet-induced oxidative stress and on the regulation of cholesterol transporters. These results suggest that MLFE might be a beneficial substance for conventional therapies to treat obesity and its complications.