Effect of Quercetin on Lipids Metabolism Through Modulating the Gut Microbial and AMPK/PPAR Signaling Pathway in Broilers

Targeting mitochondria with natural polyphenols for treating Neurodegenerative Diseases: a comprehensive scoping review from oxidative stress perspective

Neurodegenerative diseases are a class of conditions with widespread detrimental impacts, currently lacking effective therapeutic drugs. Recent studies have identified mitochondrial dysfunction and the resultant oxidative stress as crucial contributors to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. Polyphenols, naturally occurring compounds with inherent antioxidant properties, have demonstrated the potential to target mitochondria and mitigate oxidative stress. This therapeutic potential has garnered significant attention in recent years. Investigating the mitochondrial targeting capacity of polyphenols, their role in functional regulation, and their ability to modulate oxidative stress, along with exploring novel technologies and strategies for modifying polyphenol compounds and their formulations, holds promise for providing new avenues for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

AMPK in Intestinal Health and Disease: A Multifaceted Therapeutic Target for Metabolic and Inflammatory Disorders

The intestines play essential roles in nutrient absorption and immune function and help maintain a protective barrier. Disruptions to its function can result in various diseases, including metabolic disorders, inflammation, and cancer. As a key regulator of cellular energy levels, 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is essential for intestinal health. Beyond its established metabolic role, emerging evidence suggests that AMPK exerts profound effects on intestinal cell physiology, influencing cell proliferation and differentiation, inflammation, autophagy, barrier integrity, and smooth muscle contractility. Here, we explore the structure and regulation of AMPK, as well as its diverse roles in intestinal diseases and potential as a therapeutic target. Our findings reveal that AMPK is a multifaceted regulator of intestinal health, modulating various cellular processes and intestinal diseases. It plays a dual role in cancer, acting as both a tumor suppressor and promoter, and it regulates inflammatory pathways, autophagy, tight junction formation, and smooth muscle contractility. Both natural and synthetic AMPK activators offer promise as therapeutic agents. This review of AMPK's mechanisms and activators offers valuable insights for developing novel therapies for intestinal disorders. Further research is needed to fully define AMPK's roles and therapeutic potential.

Monascus pilosus SWM-008 red mold rice and its components, monascinol and monascin, reduce obesity in a high-fat diet-induced rat model through synergistic modulation of gut microbiota and anti-lipogenesis

This study is the first to explore the effects of the novel yellow pigment monascinol (Msol) from red mold rice (RMR) on reducing body fat and to compare its effects with those of monascin (MS) and ankaflavin (AK). In a high-fat diet-induced rat model, different doses of RMR fermented rice (RL, RM, RH) and purified Msol, MS, and AK were administered over an 8-week period. The results showed that all treatment groups significantly reduced body weight and fat mass. Msol, in particular, activated acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), inhibiting fatty acid synthesis and reducing triglyceride accumulation. All treatments suppressed the differentiation of preadipocytes into mature adipocytes by inhibiting CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins β (C/EBPβ) and C/EBPα, as well as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ). In the liver, RL, RM, RH, MS, and AK enhanced the expression of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), ACC, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα), and carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1α (CPT-1α), thereby promoting fatty acid metabolism. Additionally, RMR and its active components, MS and Msol, reduced body fat by modulating gut microbiota. These compounds significantly decreased the abundance of bacteria associated with fat storage, such as Oliverpabstia intestinalis, while increasing the abundance of bacteria linked to energy expenditure and lipid breakdown, such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Ruminococcus callidus. Moreover, MS and Msol upregulated proteins involved in fat degradation, such as UCP1, thereby enhancing fat burning and reducing fat accumulation. These regulatory effects suggest that Monascus and its components have potential in managing metabolic health and reducing obesity.

Quercetin and Mesenchymal Stem Cell Metabolism: A Comparative Analysis of Young and Senescent States

Quercetin is a natural flavonoid renowned for its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and antibacterial properties, making it a highly promising candidate for the treatment of various medical conditions. Our current study investigates the influence of quercetin on energy metabolism, fatty acid composition, oxidative stress gene expression, and sirtuin expression in early- and late-stage passages of stem cells derived from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs). Mitochondrial respiration was analyzed by measuring oxygen consumption following a 24 h quercetin treatment, while fatty acid profiles were examined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Additionally, quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to assess the expression of oxidative stress genes and sirtuins. In younger SHEDs, quercetin enhances metabolic activity and mitochondrial respiration, although higher doses may decrease mitochondrial activity. Conversely, in older, senescent SHEDs, quercetin supports mitochondrial function at lower concentrations but appears to inhibit respiration at higher doses. These results suggest that quercetin may hold therapeutic potential for maintaining SHED viability and function, especially at lower doses in older cells. Further research is essential to fully elucidate a dose-dependent effect of quercetin and optimize its applications in regenerative medicine.

Enhancing impact of dietary nano formulated quercetin on laying performance: egg quality, oxidative stability of stored eggs, intestinal immune and antioxidants related genes expression

BACKGROUND

Nutritional interventions with natural antioxidants can provide a pragmatic solution for modifying hens' performance and maintaining oxidative stability of eggs during storage. Quercetin is the most abundant flavonoids with potent antioxidant and immune stimulant activities. The concept of incorporating of quercetin, as potent antioxidant and immunostimulant, into effective nano-carriers (QNPs) has promoted their bioavailability and stability thus, their effectiveness for the first time were assessed on laying hens' performance and immunity, eggs quality during storage. Four hundred 12-weeks-old Hy-line brown laying hens were distributed to four experimental groups: control group fed basal diets, and other 3 groups fed basal diets fortified with 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg QNPs for 60 weeks.

RESULTS

Laying performance and quality of laid eggs were improved as expressed by elevated laying rate, egg mass %, eggs weight and yolk weight in QNPs200 and 300. Fortification of QNPs300 remarkably decreased layers serum total cholesterol concurrently with decreased egg yolk saturated fatty acids and cholesterol while increased polyunsaturated fatty acids. Over- 45 days storage period, QNPs enhanced phospholipids, total phenolics and flavonoids, total antioxidant activity (T-AOC) simultaneous with decreased MDA content in eggs. Furthermore, enhanced immune response was detected in both in serum and intestine of QNPs fed hens as reflected by higher lysozymes activity, IgM, IgG and phagocytic index and demotion of NO together with AvBD 6-12, IL-10, IgM and ATg 5-7-12 upregulation and downregulation of IL-1β and TNF-α especially at QNPs200 and 300. Intestinal redox balance was modified via decreasing H2O2 and MDA simultaneous with upregulation of catalase, SOD, GSH-Px, HO-1 and NQO1 in groups fed higher doses of QNPs.

CONCLUSIONS

QNPs supplementation provides a new nutritional strategy towards increasing hen performance, fortification of eggs with natural antioxidants that prevents egg quality deterioration during storage.

Effects of Micellar Quercetin Supplementation on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Fecal Microbiota, Meat Quality, and Physiological Status in Broiler Chickens

This study investigated the impacts of micellar quercetin (MQ) supplementation on growth performance, meat stability, excreta gas emissions, and physiological status. During a 35-day trial, 640 Ross 308 broilers were utilized. These birds were one day old, with an average initial body weight of 43.34 ± 1.43 g. They were randomly distributed across four experimental diets, each consisting of 10 replicate pens with 16 chicks per pen. The diets included the following: control (CON) with 0% micellar quercetin (MQ), TRT1 with 0.025% MQ, TRT2 with 0.050% MQ, and TRT3 with 0.100% MQ. The results indicate that broilers fed diets with increasing levels of MQ exhibited significantly higher body weight gains (BWGs) compared to the control group (p < 0.05). There was a clear linear increase in the breast muscle percentage with higher levels of quercetin supplementation (p < 0.05), while the breast color remained consistent across all groups (p > 0.05). Both cooking loss and drip loss exhibited a linear decrease as MQ levels in the diet increased (p < 0.05). The level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) tended to decrease with higher MQ levels. Thyroxine (T4) and lymphocyte levels also showed a linear increase with increasing MQ dosage in the diet (p < 0.05). However, no significant effects were observed on nutrient digestibility, gas emissions, or fecal microbial components (Lactobacillus, E. coli, and Salmonella) with higher levels of MQ supplementation (p > 0.05). In conclusion, augmenting quercetin levels in the diet positively influenced the BWG, breast muscle development, and meat quality parameters such as cooking loss and drip loss, with beneficial effects on blood profiles.

Quercetin Regulates Lipid Metabolism and Fat Accumulation by Regulating Inflammatory Responses and Glycometabolism Pathways: A Review

Fat synthesis and lipolysis are natural processes in growth and have a close association with health. Fat provides energy, maintains physiological function, and so on, and thus plays a significant role in the body. However, excessive/abnormal fat accumulation leads to obesity and lipid metabolism disorder, which can have a detrimental impact on growth and even harm one's health. Aside from genetic effects, there are a range of factors related to obesity, such as excessive nutrient intake, inflammation, glycometabolism disease, and so on. These factors could serve as potential targets for anti-obesity therapy. Quercetin is a flavonol that has received a lot of attention recently because of its role in anti-obesity. It was thought to have the ability to regulate lipid metabolism and have a positive effect on anti-obesity, but the processes are still unknown. Recent studies have shown the role of quercetin in lipid metabolism might be related to its effects on inflammatory responses and glycometabolism. The references were chosen for this review with no date restrictions applied based on the topics they addressed, and the databases PubMed and Web of Sicence was used to conduct the references research, using the following search terms: "quercetin", "obesity", "inflammation", "glycometabolism", "insulin sensitivity", etc. This review summarizes the potential mechanisms of quercetin in alleviating lipid metabolism through anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic signaling pathways, and describes the possible signaling pathways in the interaction of inflammation and glycometabolism, with the goal of providing references for future research and application of quercetin in the regulation of lipid metabolism.

The effect of Sumac on cardiometabolic parameters in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background

The current evidence on the effect of Sumac consumption on cardiovascular parameters has produced controversial findings.

Methods

We systematically searched several databases, including PubMed-Medline, SCOPUS, and ISI Web of Science, to find eligible studies until January 2023. Meta-analysis to calculated the weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95 %CI, Sub-group meta-analysis and meta-regression analysis were conducted throughout the study.

Results

16 randomized controlled trials comprising a total number of 1,225 participants were included. The results of meta-analysis revealed that Sumac significantly affected low-density lipoprotein (WMD: -8.66 mg/dL; 95% CI: -14.2, -3.12), high-density lipoprotein (WMD: 3.15 mg/dL; 1.99,4.31), triglycerides (WMD: -11.96 mg/dL; -19.44, -4.48), fasting blood glucose (WMD: -4.15 mg/dL; -7.31, -0.98), insulin (WMD: -1.72; -3.18, -0.25), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR; WMD: -0.61; -1.22, -0.01), and anthropometric indices (p < 0.05). Moreover, the results significantly reduced total cholesterol when the intervention duration was ≥12 weeks (WMD: -8.58 mg/dL; -16.8, -0.37).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that Sumac is potentially an effective complementary intervention to improve cardiometabolic parameters. Thus, patients could utilize Sumac as part of their diet to improve their overall cardiometabolic status.

Effects of quercetin and daidzein on egg quality, lipid metabolism, and cecal short-chain fatty acids in layers

In this study, the effects of quercetin and daidzein on egg quality, lipid metabolism, and cecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) were compared in layers. Hyline brown layers at 385 days of age with a similar laying rate (81.36% ± 0.62%) and body weight (2.10 kg ± 0.04 kg) were randomly divided into three treatments, six replicates per treatment, and 20 layers per replicate. Layers in control, quercetin, and daidzein treatment were fed by a basal diet supplemented with 0 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg quercetin, and 30 mg/kg of daidzein for 10 weeks. Results showed that eggshell strength and albumen height in week 4, egg yolk diameter in week 10, and eggshell thickness and egg yolk height in weeks 4 and 10 were significantly increased in the quercetin treatment (P ≤ 0.05); contents of phospholipid (PL) and lecithin (LEC) in egg yolk and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) content in serum were significantly increased; however, contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) in egg yolk, contents of TC, TG, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) in serum, and contents of TC and TG in the liver were significantly decreased in the quercetin treatment (P ≤ 0.05); contents of isobutyric acid and valeric acid were significantly increased in the cecum of the quercetin treatment (P ≤ 0.05), compared with control. Moreover, egg yolk height in week 10 and eggshell thickness in weeks 4 and 10 were significantly increased in the daidzein treatment (P ≤ 0.05); contents of MDA, TC, and TG in egg yolk, TC, TG, and VLDL in serum, and TC and TG in liver were significantly decreased in the daidzein treatment (P ≤ 0.05); and HDL content was significantly increased in serum of the daidzein treatment (P ≤ 0.05) compared with control. However, daidzein did not affect SCFA content in the cecum. In conclusion, egg quality was improved by quercetin and daidzein by increasing the antioxidant ability of egg yolk and by regulating lipid metabolism in layers. Quercetin worked better than daidzein in improving egg quality under this experimental condition.

Quercetin in Sports and Exercise: A review

This paper systematically reviews the latest evidence regarding Quercetin's (Q) effect following exercise performance, aerobic and anaerobic exercise, muscle-damaging bouts and highlights blood biomarkers associated with muscle damage and recovery. Google Scholar, Web of Science, and MedLine (PubMed) searches were conducted through July-December 2021. Peer-reviewed studies that investigated Q as a single ingredient or in combination with other ingredients at dosages of 500 mg - 3000 mg, ranging from 15 min-to-1 h prior to exercise bout or chronic dose (7 days - 8 weeks) of consumption were included. A total of 34 studies met the inclusion criteria for the review. Key results include significant performance improvements in the following: VO2max (n = 2), time to exhaustion (n = 4 articles), fatigue decrement (n = 1 article), muscle damage (n = 3 articles), strength, torque velocity, and neuromuscular performance (n = 3 articles), redox potential (n = 1 article), repeated sprint performance and oxygen extraction (n = 1). Q also caused a change in systemic biomarkers: decrease in creatine kinase (n = 2), c-reactive protein (n = 4), lactate dehydrogenase (n = 4), inflammatory markers (n = 3), lipid peroxidation (n = 3) in aerobic and anaerobic performance. Varied findings exist regarding the efficacy of Q supplementation on exercise performance and recovery outcomes. The source of Q, training status of subjects, and exercise protocol performed may contribute to the effectiveness of Q as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, or ergogenic agent in exercise.

Quantitative proteomics reveals Polygonum perfoliatum L. ameliorates hepatic steatosis by promoting PPARs/CPT1A/CPT2-mediated fatty acid β-oxidation

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a predominant contributor to end-stage liver disease in the forthcoming decades. Polygonum perfoliatum L. (PPL) is an herbal medicine with anti-lipid peroxidation and anti-inflammatory properties. However, detailed hepatoprotective effects of PPL against NAFLD and its underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we found that PPL protects against high fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatic steatosis, lipid peroxidation, and glucose-lipid metabolism dysfunction in NAFLD mice. We therefore performed a label-free quantitative proteomic profiling analysis to determine the effect of PPL treatment on liver tissue proteomics and identified that activated PPARs/CPT1A/CPT2-mediated hepatic fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) process was significantly altered. In vitro treatment of hepatocytes with PPL confirmed this altered process and FAO inhibitor etomoxir (ETO) attenuated the lipid-lowering activity of PPL in hepatocytes. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/Q Exactive-HFX (UPLC/QE-HFX) was used to determine the material basis of anti-NAFLD activity of PPL. Our results have demonstrated the efficacy and potential mechanisms of PPL as an effective pharmacological therapy of NAFLD.

Contribution of gut microbiomes and their metabolomes to the performance of Dorper and Tan sheep

Background

Livestock is an excellent source of high nutritional value protein for humans; breeding livestock is focused on improving meat productivity and quality. Dorper sheep is a distinguished breed with an excellent growth performance, while Tan sheep is a Chinese local breed famous for its delicious meat. Several studies have demonstrated that the composition of gut microbiome and metabolome modulate host phenotype.

Methods

In the present study, we performed 16S amplicon sequencing and metabolomic analyses of the rumen and hindgut microbiome of 8-month-old Dorper and Tan sheep, raised under identical feeding and management conditions, to explore the potential effects of gut microbiome and its metabolites on growth performance and meat quality.

Results

Our study identified Lactobacillus, a marker genus in the rumen, to be significantly associated with the levels of fumaric acid, nicotinic acid, and 2-deoxyadenosine (P-value < 0.05). Statistical analysis showed that nicotinic acid was significantly negatively correlated with body weight (P-value < 0.01), while 2-deoxyadenosine was significantly positively correlated with fatty acids content (P-value < 0.05). There was a biologically significant negative correlation between Phascolarctobacterium and deoxycytidine levels in the hindgut. Deoxycytidine was significantly positively correlated with body weight, protein, and amino acid content. Differences in rumen fermentation patterns that are distinctive among breeds were identified. Tan sheep mainly used Lactobacillus and fumaric acid-mediated pyruvic acid for energy supply, while Dorper sheep utilize glycogenic amino acids. The difference of iron metabolism in the hindgut of Dorper sheep affects lipid production, while Phascolarctobacterium in Tan sheep is related to roughage tolerance. The accumulation of nucleosides promotes the growth performance of Dorper sheep.

Conclusion

These findings provide insights into how the microbiome-metabolome-dependent mechanisms contribute to growth rate and fat contents in different breeds. This fundamental research is vital to identifying the dominant traits of breeds, improving growth rate and meat quality, and establishing principles for precision feeding.

Quercetin supplementation alters adipose tissue and hepatic transcriptomes and ameliorates adiposity, dyslipidemia, and glucose intolerance in adult male rats

Quercetin, a flavonoid present in many fruits and vegetables, exhibits beneficial effects toward abnormalities related to metabolic syndrome. In this study, to further investigate metabolic and transcriptomic responses to quercetin supplementation, we used a genetic model of metabolic syndrome. Adult male rats of the PD/Cub strain were fed either a high-sucrose diet (HSD; control PD rats) or HSD fortified with quercetin (10 g quercetin/kg diet; PD-Q rats). Morphometric and metabolic parameters, along with transcriptomic profiles of the liver and retroperitoneal fat, were assessed. The relative weights of epididymal and retroperitoneal fat were significantly decreased in quercetin-treated animals. Furthermore, a smaller area under the glycemic curve along with a decreased level of fasting insulin were detected in PD-Q rats. While no changes in total cholesterol levels were observed, the overall level of triglycerides decreased in the serum and the liver of the PD-Q rats. The transcriptomic profile of the liver and the adipose tissue corroborated the metabolic and morphometric findings, revealing the pattern consistent with insulin-sensitizing changes, with major regulator nodes being Pparg, Adipoq, Nos2, and Mir378. In conclusion, quercetin supplementation improves abnormalities related to metabolic syndrome, namely adiposity, dyslipidemia and glucose intolerance.

Impact of Phytochemicals on PPAR Receptors: Implications for Disease Treatments

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are members of the ligand-dependent nuclear receptor family. PPARs have attracted wide attention as pharmacologic mediators to manage multiple diseases and their underlying signaling targets. They mediate a broad range of specific biological activities and multiple organ toxicity, including cellular differentiation, metabolic syndrome, cancer, atherosclerosis, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular diseases, and inflammation related to their up/downstream signaling pathways. Consequently, several types of selective PPAR ligands, such as fibrates and thiazolidinediones (TZDs), have been approved as their pharmacological agonists. Despite these advances, the use of PPAR agonists is known to cause adverse effects in various systems. Conversely, some naturally occurring PPAR agonists, including polyunsaturated fatty acids and natural endogenous PPAR agonists curcumin and resveratrol, have been introduced as safe agonists as a result of their clinical evidence or preclinical experiments. This review focuses on research on plant-derived active ingredients (natural phytochemicals) as potential safe and promising PPAR agonists. Moreover, it provides a comprehensive review and critique of the role of phytochemicals in PPARs-related diseases and provides an understanding of phytochemical-mediated PPAR-dependent and -independent cascades. The findings of this research will help to define the functions of phytochemicals as potent PPAR pharmacological agonists in underlying disease mechanisms and their related complications.

Exploring Anti-Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Mechanism of Gardeniae Fructus by Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking, and Experiment Validation

Gardeniae fructus (GF), the fruit from Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, is a traditional Chinese medicine used for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the clinic. To explore the hepatoprotective mechanism of GF for the treatment of NAFLD, we proposed a novel strategy that integrated in vivo efficacy evaluation, network pharmacology analysis, molecular docking, and experimental validation. A NAFLD animal model induced by high fat diet (HFD) feed was established, then orally administrated with or without GF. The results showed that GF significantly decreased the levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), lipoprotein cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, free fatty acids, glucose, and insulin and the levels of liver TG, TC, and malondialdehyde compared with the nontreated HFD group. Network pharmacology studies showed that quercetin, oleanolic acid, kaempferol, and geniposide were the main biocompounds in GF that targeted the PPARα and PPARγ genes through regulating the PPAR and AMPK signal pathways to protect against NAFLD. The interactions between bioactive compounds and their corresponding target proteins were analyzed by molecular docking and subsequently confirmed using the qRT-PCR assay. Collectively, GF was a therapeutic drug for the treatment of NAFLD.

Lipid Metabolic Disorder Induced by Pyrethroids in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease of Xenopus laevis

Pyrethroids, an effective and widely used class of pesticides, have attracted considerable concerns considering their frequent detection in environmental matrices. However, their potential health risks to amphibians remain unclear. In our study, female Xenopus laevis were exposed to 0, 0.06, and 0.3 μg/L typical pyrethroid, cis-bifenthrin (cis-BF), for 3 months. Elevated activities of both aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were observed, indicating an ongoing liver injury. Furthermore, exposure to cis-BF led to hyperlipidemia and lipid accumulation in the liver of Xenopus. The targeted lipidomic analysis further revealed that treatment with cis-BF perturbed liver steroid homeostasis, as evidenced by the enriched lipids in the steroid biosynthesis pathway. Consistent with the targeted lipidomic result, treatment with cis-BF changed the liver transcriptome profile with induction of 808 and 1230 differentially expressed genes. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis underlined the adverse effects of cis-BF exposure on steroid biosynthesis, primary bile acid biosynthesis, and the PPAR signaling pathway in the Xenopus liver. Taken together, our study revealed that exposure to cis-BF at environmentally relevant concentrations resulted in lipid metabolic disorder associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease of X. laevis, and our results provided new insight into the potential long-term hazards of pyrethroids.

Hypericum lanceolatum Lam. Medicinal Plant: Potential Toxicity and Therapeutic Effects Based on a Zebrafish Model

Hypericum lanceolatum Lam. (H. lanceolatum) is a traditional medicinal plant from Reunion Island used for its pleiotropic effects mainly related to its antioxidant activity. The present work aimed to 1) determine the potential toxicity of the plant aqueous extract in vivo and 2) investigate its putative biological properties using several zebrafish models of oxidative stress, regeneration, estrogenicity, neurogenesis and metabolic disorders. First, we characterized the polyphenolic composition by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and identified chlorogenic acid isomers, quercetin and kaempferol derivatives as the major compounds. We then evaluated for the first time the toxicity of an aqueous extract of H. lanceolatum and determined a maximum non-toxic concentration (MNTC) in zebrafish eleutheroembryos from 0 to 96 hpf following OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) guidelines. This MNTC test was also determined on hatched eleutheroembryos after 2 days of treatment (from 3 to 5 dpf). In our study, the anti-estrogenic effects of H. lanceolatum are supported by the data from the EASZY assay. In a tail amputation model, we showed that H. lanceolatum at its MNTC displays antioxidant properties, favors immune cell recruitment and tissue regeneration. Our results also highlighted its beneficial effects in metabolic disorders. Indeed, H. lanceolatum efficiently reduces lipid accumulation and body mass index in overfed larva- and adult-models, respectively. In addition, we show that H. lanceolatum did not improve fasting blood glucose levels in a hyperglycemic zebrafish model but surprisingly inhibited neurogenesis impairment observed in diabetic conditions. In conclusion, our study highlights the antioxidant, pro-regenerative, anti-lipid accumulation and pro-neurogenic effects of H. lanceolatum in vivo and supports the use of this traditional medicinal plant as a potential alternative in the prevention and/or treatment of metabolic disorders.

Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench improved blood glucose, lipid, and down-regulated PPAR-α, PTP1B genes expression in diabetic rats

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) is one of the most important medicinal plants for the treatment of diabetes. Flavonoids are one of the most significant components of okra and are responsible for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic effects. The aim of this research was to investigate the effect of okra extract on biochemical parameters and expression of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) and Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) genes in a model of streptozotocin-induced diabetic male Wistar rat. Rats were given oral dosages of okra extract, (75% ethanolic extract) (200-400 mg/kg) for eight weeks. Our findings indicate that okra extract and quercetin therapy may lower blood glucose (BS), insulin, Triglyceride (TG), Cholesterol (Cho), and glucose transporter protein type-4 (GLUT4) levels. PTP1B and Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α), which are important regulators of glucose and lipid homeostasis, are similarly inhibited by okra extract. According to the findings, okra extract also has antioxidant properties. Our results support the anti-hyperglycemic and hypolipidemic properties of okra extract. As a result, it appears to play a crucial role in controlling diabetes. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: In this paper, we show that flavonoids in okra may help diabetes by inhibiting the PTP1B and PPAR-pathways. This is significant because little research has been done on the impact of flavonoid chemicals in A. esculentus on the expression of PTP1B and PPAR using traditional methods of diabetes treatment. Many of today's essential drugs (e.g., atropine, ephedrine, tubocurarine, digoxin, and reserpine) have been developed by studding traditional treatments. Plant-derived medications are still used as a prototype by chemists in an effort to develop more effective and less risky treatments (e.g., morphine, taxol, physostigmine, quinidine, and emetine.

Quercetin extracted from Sophora japonica flower improves growth performance, nutrient digestibility, cecal microbiota, organ indexes, and breast quality in broiler chicks

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of supplementing quercetin extracted from Sophora japonica flower (QS) to the diet of broiler chicks on their growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, cecal microbiota, serum lipid profiles, relative organ weight, and breast muscle quality.

Method

A total of 1088 1-day-old broiler chicks (mixed sex) were randomly assigned to four groups based on the initial body weight (43.00 ± 0.29 g). The experimental period was 35 days (starter, days 0-7; grower, days 7-21; finisher, days 21-35). There were 17 replicate cages per treatment and 16 birds per cage. Dietary treatments consisted of birds receiving basal diet without quercetin as the control group and treatment groups consisted of birds fed basal diet supplemented with 0.2, 0.4, or 0.6 g/kg QS.

Results

With the increase of the QS dosage, body weight gain during days 0-7 (P = 0.021), 7-21 (P = 0.010), and 1-35 (P = 0.045), feed intake during days 0-7 (P = 0.037) and 1-35 (P = 0.025), apparent dry matter digestibility (P = 0.008), apparent energy retention (P = 0.004), cecal lactic acid bacteria counts (P = 0.023), the relative weight of breast muscle (P = 0.014), pH value from breast muscle (P < 0.001), and the water holding capacity of breast muscle (P = 0.012) increased linearly, whereas the drip loss from breast muscle (P = 0.001) decreased linearly.

Conclusion

The addition of QS in the diet of broiler chicks had positive effects on the breast muscle yield and breast muscle quality, and improved the dry matter digestibility and energy retention by increasing cecal beneficial bacteria counts, thus improving growth performance.

A System-Level Mechanism of Anmyungambi Decoction for Obesity: A Network Pharmacological Approach

Obesity is a low-grade systemic inflammatory disease involving adipocytokines. As though Anmyungambi decoction (AMGB) showed significant improvement on obesity in a clinical trial, the molecular mechanism of AMGB in obesity remains unknown. Therefore, we explored the potential mechanisms of action of AMGB on obesity through network pharmacological approaches. We revealed that targets of AMGB are significantly associated with obesity-related and adipocyte-elevated genes. Evodiamine, berberine, genipin, palmitic acid, genistein, and quercetin were shown to regulate adipocytokine signaling pathway proteins which mainly involved tumor necrosis factor receptor 1, leptin receptor. In terms of the regulatory pathway of lipolysis in adipocytes, norephedrine, pseudoephedrine, quercetin, and limonin were shown to affect adrenergic receptor-beta, protein kinase A, etc. We also found that AMGB has the potentials to enhance the insulin signaling pathway thereby preventing type II diabetes mellitus. Additionally, AMGB was discovered to be able to control not only insulin-related proteins but also inflammatory mediators and apoptotic regulators and caspases, hence reducing hepatocyte injury in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Our findings help develop a better understanding of how AMGB controls obesity.

Ameliorative Effect of Annona muricata (Graviola) Extract on Hyperglycemia Induced Hepatic Damage in Type 2 Diabetic Mice

Annona muricata (AM) is evergreen plant of the Annonaceae family and known to have anticancer and antidiabetic effects. However, anti-diabetic mechanisms of AM extracts (AME) associated with hepatic glucose regulation and lipid metabolism remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the protective effect of AME extracted on hepatic damage in diabetic mice. Diabetes was induced by a high-fat diet with two-times streptozotocin (STZ) injection (60 mg/kg BW) in C57BL/6 male mice. The diabetic mice were daily administered with AME (50 or 100 mg/kg BW) by gavage for 9 weeks. Biomarkers related to energy metabolism and insulin signaling were examined to identify the effect of AME on hyperglycemia induced hepatic damage. AME supplementation reduced levels of FBG, HbA1c, HOMA-IR and hepatic lipid profiles as well as enhanced insulin signaling by increased the protein levels of IRS-1 accompanied GLUT2 in diabetic mice. Especially low dose of AME showed the beneficial effect of reducing oxidative stress (4-HNE, protein carbonyls, Nrf2, NQO1) and improved hepatic morphology demonstrated by lipid droplets along with upregulation of lipophagy (pAMPK, p-mTOR/mTOR, LC3-2/LC3-1) in diabetic mice. Moreover, AME supplementation ameliorated hepatic lipid metabolism (FAS, SREBP1c, C/EBPα, PPARγ, CPT1A, PPARα) and energy metabolism (pAMPK, PGC1α) in diabetic mice. Taken together, this study suggested that AME could be helpful to prevent hepatic abnormality by regulation of insulin signaling associated with energy metabolism and autophagy in diabetes.