Effects of Fortunella margarita fruit extract on metabolic disorders in high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6 mice

Kumquat Fruit Administration Counteracts Dysmetabolism-Related Neurodegeneration and the Associated Brain Insulin Resistance in the High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice

Metabolic disorders and brain insulin resistance (IR) are major risk factors for the development of neurodegenerative conditions. Kumquat fruit (KF) administration has demonstrated significant anti-dysmetabolic effects, improving peripheral IR in murine models of metabolic syndrome. Along these lines, this study evaluated the neuroprotective effects of KF supplementation in a model of dysmetabolism-induced neuronal damage and its ability to counteract the disruption of brain insulin signalling. To this end, biochemical and histological analysis assessed neuroapoptosis, disruption of brain insulin signalling and neuroinflammation in a model of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced neuronal damage. Our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that KF supplementation significantly counteracts HFD-induced neuroapoptosis downregulating pro-apoptotic genes (FAS-L, BIM and P27) and upregulating the anti-apoptotic ones (BDNF and BCL-2). Coherently, KF positively influenced the expression of selected genes related to Alzheimer's Disease. Relevantly, these effects were associated to KF ability to restore brain insulin signalling by increasing insulin receptor expression, reducing IRS-1 serine phosphorylation, enhancing both AKT activation and GSK-3β inactivation. Accordingly, KF suppressed HFD-neuroinflammation, counteracting the overexpression of NF-κB and its downstream enzymatic products, iNOS and COX-2. Collectively, these findings demonstrate the neuroprotective benefits of KF administration, supporting its potential as a dietary intervention for dysmetabolic-related neurodegenerative disorders.

Unraveling Obesity: Transgenerational Inheritance, Treatment Side Effects, Flavonoids, Mechanisms, Microbiota, Redox Balance, and Bioavailability-A Narrative Review

Obesity is known as a transgenerational vicious cycle and has become a global burden due to its unavoidable complications. Modern approaches to obesity management often involve the use of pharmaceutical drugs and surgeries that have been associated with negative side effects. In contrast, natural antioxidants, such as flavonoids, have emerged as a promising alternative due to their potential health benefits and minimal side effects. Thus, this narrative review explores the potential protective role of flavonoids as a natural antioxidant in managing obesity. To identify recent in vivo studies on the efficiency of flavonoids in managing obesity, a comprehensive search was conducted on Wiley Online Library, Scopus, Nature, and ScienceDirect. The search was limited to the past 10 years; from the search, we identified 31 articles to be further reviewed. Based on the reviewed articles, we concluded that flavonoids offer novel therapeutic strategies for preventing obesity and its associated co-morbidities. This is because the appropriate dosage of flavonoid compounds is able to reduce adipose tissue mass, the formation of intracellular free radicals, enhance endogenous antioxidant defences, modulate the redox balance, and reduce inflammatory signalling pathways. Thus, this review provides an insight into the domain of a natural product therapeutic approach for managing obesity and recapitulates the transgenerational inheritance of obesity, the current available treatments to manage obesity and its side effects, flavonoids and their sources, the molecular mechanism involved, the modulation of gut microbiota in obesity, redox balance, and the bioavailability of flavonoids. In toto, although flavonoids show promising positive outcome in managing obesity, a more comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for the advantageous impacts of flavonoids-achieved through translation to clinical trials-would provide a novel approach to inculcating flavonoids in managing obesity in the future as this review is limited to animal studies.

Effects of fruits and vegetables on gut microbiota in a mouse model of metabolic syndrome induced by high-fat diet

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of fruit and vegetable intake on gut microbiota using a mouse model of metabolic syndrome (MS) induced by a high-fat diet. Forty-eight male mice were randomly divided into four groups, control group (C), high-fat diet-fed model group (H), high fat plus low intake of fruits and vegetables diet-fed group (H.LFV), high fat plus high intake of fruits and vegetables diet-fed group (H.HFV), and each group were fed for 60 days. During the experiment, mouse body weights were recorded and fecal samples were collected. Cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) method was used to extract fecal bacterial DNA, and the purity and concentration of the DNA were detected by electrophoresis. DNA samples underwent PCR amplification (primers in 16 S V4 (515F and 806R)). Raw sequencing data were processed, and sample complexity and multiple-sample comparisons were investigated. Mouse organ coefficient, serum lipid levels, fecal TC (total cholesterol) and TBA (total bile acid) levels, and hepatic glutathione and malondialdehyde levels were determined. Compared to the H group, the fecal TC and TBA levels decreased significantly in the H.HFV group (p < .05), and hepatic glutathione and malondialdehyde levels decreased significantly in both H.LFV and H.HFV groups (p < .05). Decreased abundance of Firmicutes, Burkholderiales, Syntrophomonas, and Pseudomonadales in gut microbiota was observed in H.LFV and H.HFV groups compared to the H group. The Anosim results showed significant differences in pairwise comparison between groups. The linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) results showed that k_bacteria not only exhibited statistically differences between H and C groups but also among H.LFV, H.LFV, and H groups, and hence, could be used as a biomarker between groups. To sum up, fruit and vegetable powder could increase the fecal excretion of TC and TBA, and the antioxidant capacity in C57BL/6N mice. Meanwhile, the mechanism that fruit and vegetable powder could prevent MS in C57BL/6N mice was related to the decreased abundance of gut microbiota, including Firmicutes, Syntrophomonadales, and Pseudomonadales. Hence, fruit and vegetable powder could be used as a recommended food to regulate gut microbiota and prevent the occurrence of MS-related diseases.

Associations of the Mediterranean-Style Dietary Pattern Score with Coronary Artery Calcification and Pericardial Adiposity in a Sample of US Adults

Several studies have identified improvements in the risks of cardiovascular disease in adults following a Mediterranean dietary pattern. However, data are scarce on its association with coronary artery calcification (CAC) and pericardial adiposity (PAT) in US adults with and without diabetes. To address this gap, we conducted a case-control study using baseline data from the Coronary Artery Calcification in Type 1 Diabetes (CACTI) study [n = 1255; Type 1 Diabetes (T1D): n = 563; non-Diabetes Mellitus (non-DM): n = 692]. Participants completed a validated food frequency questionnaire, fasting (12 h overnight fast) biochemical analyses, and a physical examination including anthropometric measures. CAC and PAT were measured using electron beam-computed tomography. Logistic regression models were used to examine the associations of the Mediterranean-Style Dietary Pattern Score (MSDPS) with CAC (presence or absence), and linear regression models were applied to PAT analyses. In all of the adjusted models, no significant associations with CAC were found. For PAT, an increasing MSDPS was consistently associated with its lower volume in models adjusted for age, sex, diabetes status, total calories, and body mass index (all p < 0.05). The association between MSDPS and PAT was attenuated after adjusting for serum lipids and physical activity. In conclusion, the baseline data from the CACTI study show that a greater adherence to MSDPS is associated with a lower PAT volume and provide evidence that the Mediterranean dietary pattern is associated with lower cardiovascular risk markers.

Drying kinetics and physicochemical properties of kumquat under hot air and air-impingement jet dryings

Kumquat is famous for its unique flavor and nutritional value. In this study, the drying kinetics, moisture effective diffusivity, phytochemical properties, and antioxidant capacities of kumquat dried by hot air drying (HAD) and air-impingement jet drying (AIJD) were comparatively investigated. The results showed that drying rate, moisture effective diffusivity, and nutrient retention under AIJD were better than those under HAD. Fourteen polyphenols were identified by UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS in kumquat slices. The content of limonoid was significantly increased after AIJD. It was also found that high temperature contributed to a higher drying rate. However, most of the polyphenol components decreased at high drying temperatures. Accordingly, AIJD 60 °C was regarded as the optimum condition for kumquat drying. This work contributed to a better understanding of the drying character of kumquat under AIJD and showed the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities are affected by drying methods.

An Avocado Extract Enriched in Mannoheptulose Prevents the Negative Effects of a High-Fat Diet in Mice

Beginning at 16 weeks of age and continuing for 44 weeks, male C57BL/6J were fed either a control (CON) diet; a high-fat (HF) diet (60% unsaturated); or the HF diet containing an extract of unripe avocados (AvX) enriched in the 7-carbon sugar mannoheptulose (MH), designed to act as a glycolytic inhibitor (HF + MH). Compared to the CON diet, mice on the HF diet exhibited higher body weights; body fat; blood lipids; and leptin with reduced adiponectin levels, insulin sensitivity, VO2max, and falls from a rotarod. Mice on the HF + MH diet were completely protected against these changes in the absence of significant diet effects on food intake. Compared to the CON diet, oxidative stress was also increased by the HF diet indicated by higher levels of total reactive oxygen species, superoxide, and peroxynitrite measured in liver samples by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, whereas the HF + MH diet attenuated these changes. Compared to the CON, the HF diet increased signaling in the mechanistic target of the rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, and the addition of the MH-enriched AvX to this diet attenuated these changes. Beyond generating further interest in the health benefits of avocados, these results draw further new attention to the effects of this rare sugar, MH, as a botanical intervention for preventing obesity.

Comparison of main chemical composition of Plantago asiatica L. and P. depressa Willd. seed extracts and their anti-obesity effects in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

BACKGROUND

Nowadays, the pharmacological effects of Plantaginis semen was getting more and more attention because of the great effect of treating diuresis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and hyperglycemia. According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Plantaginis semen is the seed of Plantago asiatica L. or P. depressa Willd. This was verified by examining chemical composition differences in a preliminary experiment, predicting their differences in pharmacology.

PURPOSE

In this study, we aimed to compared the the differences in main components and anti-obesity effects of Plantago asiatica L. seed extract (PASE) and P. depressa Willd. seed extract (PDSE).

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

The ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) analysis was used to characterize and compare the differences chemical constituents of PASE and PDSE. The difference therapeutic effects between PASE and PDSE on obesity and associated metabolic disorders was investigated by high-fat (HF) diet induced mice model.

RESULTS

The fingerprint of Plantaginis semen were established by screening and identified 15 main components, including iridoids, phenethanol glycosides, flavonoids, guanidines, and fatty acids. Pentahydroxy flavanone was observed only in PDSE but not in PASE. The quantitative analysis results indicated that the main bioactive components in PASE were geniposidic acid and acteoside; their concentrations were three times higher in PASE than in PDSE. In anti-obesity effects, the result show the levels of fasting blood glucose were improved in both PASE and PDSE when compared with the HF group, while the PASE is show a significant effect then the PDSE group and improved the glucose tolerance but not in PDSE. The results also displayed that the Plantaginis semen did not modify food intake or body weight but decreased abdominal white/brown adipocyte size, serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), hepatic TG and TC, fecal TG and TC concentrations when compared with the HF group. Among these indicators, serum TG, liver TG, fecal TC and TG levels were significantly improved in PASE compared with PDSE. The results indicated that PASE treatment more effectively improved lipid and glucose metabolism in HF diet-induced obese mice than did PDSE.

CONCLUSION

As Plantaginis semen sources, P. asiatica L. seeds demonstrated more bioactive components and favorable metabolic disorder treatment outcomes than did P. depressa Willd. seeds.

Modeling Diet-Induced Metabolic Syndrome in Rodents

Standardized animal models represent one of the most valuable tools available to understand the mechanism underlying the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and to seek for new therapeutic strategies. However, there is considerable variability in the studies conducted with this essential purpose. This review presents an updated discussion of the most recent studies using diverse experimental conditions to induce MetS in rodents with unbalanced diets, discusses the key findings in metabolic outcomes, and critically evaluates what we have been learned from them and how to advance in the field. The study includes scientific reports sourced from the Web of Science and PubMed databases, published between January 2013 and June 2020, which used hypercaloric diets to induce metabolic disorders, and address the impact of the diet on metabolic parameters. The collected data are used as support to discuss variables such as sex, species, and age of the animals, the most favorable type of diet, and the ideal diet length to generate metabolic changes. The experimental characteristics propose herein improve the performance of a preclinical model that resembles the human MetS and will guide researchers to investigate new therapeutic alternatives with confidence and higher translational validity.

Flavonoids as inducers of white adipose tissue browning and thermogenesis: signalling pathways and molecular triggers

Background

Flavonoids are a class of plant and fungus secondary metabolites and are the most common group of polyphenolic compounds in the human diet. In recent studies, flavonoids have been shown to induce browning of white adipocytes, increase energy consumption, inhibit high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and improve metabolic status. Promoting the activity of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and inducing white adipose tissue (WAT) browning are promising means to increase energy expenditure and improve glucose and lipid metabolism. This review summarizes recent advances in the knowledge of flavonoid compounds and their metabolites.

Methods

We searched the following databases for all research related to flavonoids and WAT browning published through March 2019: PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Web of Science. All included studies are summarized and listed in Table 1.

Result

We summarized the effects of flavonoids on fat metabolism and the specific underlying mechanisms in sub-categories. Flavonoids activated the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), promoted the release of adrenaline and thyroid hormones to increase thermogenesis and induced WAT browning through the AMPK-PGC-1α/Sirt1 and PPAR signalling pathways. Flavonoids may also promote brown preadipocyte differentiation, inhibit apoptosis and produce inflammatory factors in BAT.

Conclusion

Flavonoids induced WAT browning and activated BAT to increase energy consumption and non-shivering thermogenesis, thus inhibiting weight gain and preventing metabolic diseases.

Use of an Extract of Annona muricata Linn to Prevent High-Fat Diet Induced Metabolic Disorders in C57BL/6 Mice

Annona muricata Linn, commonly known as graviola, is one of the most popular plants used in Brazil for weight loss. The aim of this study is to evaluate the therapeutic effects of three different doses (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, and 150 mg/kg) of aqueous graviola leaf extract (AGE) supplemented by oral gavage, on obese C57BL/6 mice. Food intake, body weight, an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), an insulin sensitivity test, quantification of adipose tissue cytokines, weight of fat pads, and serum biochemical and histological analyses of the liver, pancreas, and epididymal adipose tissue were measured. AGE had an anti-inflammatory effect by increasing IL-10 at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg. Regarding the cholesterol profile, there was a significant decrease in LDL-cholesterol levels in the AGE 150 group, and VLDL-cholesterol and triglycerides in the AGE 100 and 150 groups. There was an increase in HDL cholesterol in the AGE 150 group. The extract was able to reduce the adipocyte area of the epididymal adipose tissue in the AGE 100 and 150 groups. According to the histological analysis of the liver and pancreas, no significant difference was found among the groups. There were no significant effects of AGE on OGTT and serum fasting glucose concentration. However, the extract was effective in improving glucose tolerance in the AGE 150 group.

Notoginsenoside Fe suppresses diet induced obesity and activates paraventricular hypothalamic neurons

Obesity has become a major public health challenge worldwide. Energy imbalance between calorie acquisition and consumption is the fundamental cause of obesity. Notoginsenoside Fe is a naturally occurring compound in Panax notoginseng, a herb used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases in traditional Chinese medicine. Here, we evaluated the effect of notoginsenoside Fe on obesity development induced by high-fat diet in C57BL/6 mice. Our results demonstrated that notoginsenoside Fe decreased food intake and body weight, as well as protected liver structure integrity and normal function. Metabolic cage analysis showed that notoginsenoside Fe also promoted resting metabolic rate. In addition, intracerebroventricular (i.c.v) injection of notoginsenoside Fe induced C-Fos expression in the paraventricular nucleus (PVH) but not the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus. These results suggest that Fe may reduce body weight through the activation of energy-sensing neurons in the hypothalamus.

Notoginsenoside Fe, a naturally occurring compound in Panax notoginseng, significantly reduces body weight, promotes metabolic rate, and suppresses food intake through activating C-Fos expression in PVH in high-fat diet induced obese mice.

Anti-obesity effect of robusta fermented with Leuconostoc mesenteroides in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Robusta beans cultivated with Monascus ruber (RMR) were successively fermented with Leuconostoc mesenteroides (LM) and the antiobesity effects were examined. To produce an obese mouse model to investigate the hypolipidemic effects, ICR mice were fed the same high-fat diet for 6 weeks. Treatment groups were given 10 or 20% RMR-LM. Body weight changes in the 20% RMR-LM group were lower compared with those in the control group. Visceral adipose tissue weight and adipose size were significantly lower in the 20% RMR-LM group compared with those in the control group. Significant improvement in glucose tolerance was observed in the 10 and 20% RMR-LM groups compared with the control group. The 20% RMR-LM group exhibited a significant reduction in serum glucose concentration. Hepatic mRNA levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1, fas cell surface death receptor, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, which are associated with lipid, and fatty acid metabolism, in the 20% RMR-LM group were significantly lower compared with those in the control group. The results of the present study demonstrated that 20% RMR-LM may be used to prevent obesity, and ameliorate diabetes and lipid metabolism imbalances.

Plantago asiatica L. Seed Extract Improves Lipid Accumulation and Hyperglycemia in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Obesity and its common association with type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular diseases are worldwide epidemics. Currently, to prevent or treat obesity and associated metabolic disorders, herbal dietary supplements or medicines have attracted more and more attention owing to their relative effectiveness with fewer significant side effects. We investigate the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of Plantago asiatica L. seed extract (PSE) on obesity and associated metabolic disorders in high-fat (HF) diet-induced mice. Our results displayed that PSE did not modify food intake or body weight but decreased abdominal white adipose tissue ratio, white/brown adipocyte size, serum total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol, free fatty acid, and hepatic TG concentrations when compared with the HF group. The levels of fasting blood glucose and glucose tolerance were improved in the PSE group when compared with the HF group. Furthermore, PSE upregulated mRNA expressions of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) and target genes related to fatty acid metabolism and energy expenditure in liver and adipose tissue of obese mice when compared with the HF group. PSE treatment effectively improved lipid and glucose metabolism in HF diet-induced obese mice. These effects might be attributed to the upregulation of PPAR signaling.

Identification of Picrasidine C as a Subtype-Selective PPARα Agonist

Picrasidine C (1), a dimeric β-carboline-type alkaloid isolated from the root of Picrasma quassioides, was identified to have PPARα agonistic activity by a mammalian one-hybrid assay from a compound library. Among the PPAR subtypes, 1 selectively activated PPARα in a concentration-dependent manner. Remarkably, 1 also promoted PPARα transcriptional activity by a peroxisome proliferator response element-driven luciferase reporter assay. Furthermore, 1 induced the expression of PPARα-regulated genes involved in lipid, glucose, and cholesterol metabolism, such as CPT-1, PPARα, PDK4, and ABCA1, which was abrogated by the PPARα antagonist MK-886, indicating that the effect of 1 was dependent on PPARα activation. This is the first report to demonstrate 1 to be a subtype-selective PPARα agonist with potential application in treating metabolic diseases, such as hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, and hypercholesterolemia.

Phenolic compounds and biological activities of small-size citrus: Kumquat and calamondin

Kumquat and calamondin are two small-size citrus fruits. Owing to their health benefits, they are traditionally used as folk medicine in Asian countries. However, the research on flavonoids and biological activities of kumquat and calamondin have received less attention. This review summarizes the reported quantitative and qualitative data of phenolic compositions in these two fruits. Effects of maturity, harvest time, various solvent extractions and heat treatment of phenolic compositions, and bioactivities were discussed; distributions of the forms of phenolic compounds existing in kumquat and calamondin were also summarized. Furthermore, biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase, antimicrobial, antitumor, and antimetabolic disorder effects, have also been discussed. Effective phenolic components were proposed for a certain bioactivity. It was found that C-glycoside flavonoids are dominant phenolic compounds in kumquat and calamondin, unlike in other citrus fruits. Up to now, biological activities and chemical characteristics of C-glycoside flavonoids in kumquat and calamondin are largely unknown.

Ameliorative effects of lutein on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats

AIM: To investigate the therapeutic effects of lutein against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the related underlying mechanism.

METHODS: After 9 d of acclimation to a constant temperature-controlled room (20 °C-22 °C) under 12 h light/dark cycles, male Sprague-Darley rats were randomly divided into two groups and fed a standard commercial diet (n = 8) or a high-fat diet (HFD) (n = 32) for 10 d. Animals receiving HFD were then randomly divided into 4 groups and administered with 0, 12.5, 25, or 50 mg/kg (body weight) per day of lutein for the next 45 d. At the end of the experiment, the perinephric and abdominal adipose tissues of the rats were isolated and weighed. Additionally, serum and liver lipid metabolic condition parameters were measured, and liver function and insulin resistance state indexes were assessed. Liver samples were collected and stained with hematoxylin eosin and Oil Red O, and the expression of the key factors related to insulin signaling and lipid metabolism in the liver were detected using Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction analyses.

RESULTS: Our data showed that after being fed a high-fat diet for 10 d, the rats showed a significant gain in body weight, energy efficiency, and serum total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels. Lutein supplementation induced fat loss in rats fed a high-fat diet, without influencing body weight or energy efficiency, and decreased serum TC and hepatic TC and TG levels. Moreover, lutein supplementation decreased hepatic levels of lipid accumulation and glutamic pyruvic transaminase content, and also improved insulin sensitivity. Lutein administration also increased the expression of key factors in hepatic insulin signaling, such as insulin receptor substrate-2, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and glucose transporter-2 at the gene and protein levels. Furthermore, high-dose lutein increased the expression of peroxisome proliferators activated receptor-α and sirtuin 1, which are associated with lipid metabolism and insulin signaling.

CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate that lutein has positive effects on NAFLD via the modulation of hepatic lipid accumulation and insulin resistance.

Paeoniflorin Protects against Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Induced by a High-Fat Diet in Mice

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease worldwide. Paeoniflorin, a natural product and active ingredient of Paeonia lactiflora, has been demonstrated to have many pharmacological effects including antiinflammatory and antihyperglycemic activity. We investigated the effects of paeoniflorin on NAFLD in mice and its underlying mechanisms. We examined this hypothesis using a well-established animal model of NAFLD. The effects of paeoniflorin on inflammation and glucolipid metabolism disorder were evaluated. The corresponding signaling pathways were measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We demonstrated that the mice developed obesity, dyslipidemia, and fatty liver, which formed the NAFLD model. Paeoniflorin attenuated NAFLD and exhibited potential cardiovascular protective effects in vivo by lowering body weight, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance; blocking inflammation; and inhibiting lipid ectopic deposition. Further investigation revealed that the antagonistic effect on hyperlipidemia and lipid ectopic deposition was related to lowering the lipid synthesis pathway (de novo pathway, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoAR)), promoting fatty acid oxidation [peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPARα), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1, etc.] and increasing cholesterol output (PPARγ-liver X receptor-α-ATP-binding cassette transporter-1); the inhibitory effects on inflammation and hyperglycemia were mediated by blocking inflammatory genes activation and reducing gluconeogenic genes expression (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and G6Pase). These results suggest that paeoniflorin prevents the development of NAFLD and reduces the risks of atherosclerosis through multiple intracellular signaling pathways. It may therefore be a potential therapeutic compound for NAFLD.

Effect of kumquat (Fortunella crassifolia) pericarp on natural killer cell activity in vitro and in vivo

Natural killer (NK) cells play a key role in innate immune defense against infectious disease and cancer. A reduction of NK activity is likely to be associated with increased risk of these types of disease. In this study, we investigate the activation potential of kumquat pericarp acetone fraction (KP-AF) on NK cells. It is shown to significantly increase IFN-γ production and NK cytotoxic activity in human KHYG-1 NK cells. Moreover, oral administration of KP-AF significantly improves both suppressed plasma IFN-γ levels and NK cytotoxic activity per splenocyte in restraint-stressed mice. These results indicate that raw kumquat pericarp activates NK cells in vitro and in vivo. To identify the active constituents, we also examined IFN-γ production on KHYG-1 cells by the predicted active components. Only β-cryptoxanthin increased IFN-γ production, suggesting that NK cell activation effects of KP-AF may be caused by carotenoids such as β-cryptoxanthin.

Network pharmacology-based antioxidant effect study of zhi-zi-da-huang decoction for alcoholic liver disease

Zhi-Zi-Da-Huang decoction (ZZDHD), a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, has been used for centuries to treat alcoholic liver disease. Reliable therapeutics of ZZDHD has also been validated in clinical practice. In this study, molecular docking and network analysis were carried out to explore the antioxidative mechanism of ZZDHD as an effective therapeutic approach to treat alcoholic liver disease. Multiple active compounds of ZZDHD were screened based on four key original enzymes (cytochrome P450 2E1, xanthine oxidase, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2) involved in ethanol-induced oxidative stress damage. A drug-target network was constructed through network pharmacology analysis, which predicted the relationships of active ingredients to the targets. Some results had been verified by the previous experimental pharmacological studies; meanwhile, it was first reported that xanthine oxidase and eriocitrin, neoeriocitrin, isorhoifolin, and poncirin had interactions. The network pharmacology strategy used provided a forceful tool for searching the mechanism of action of TCM formula and novel bioactive ingredients.