Effects of Fermented Artemisia annua L. and Salicornia herbacea L. on Inhibition of Obesity In Vitro and In Mice

Transdermal administration of herbal essential oil alleviates high-fat diet-induced obesity by regulating metabolism and gut microbiota

Introduction

Obesity, a global health challenge, is characterized by excessive fat accumulation and associated metabolic disorders. The ZhiZhu decoction, a traditional Chinese herbal formula consisting of Citrus aurantium L. (ZS, ZhiShi in Chinese) and Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (BZ, Baizhu in Chinese), is widely recognized in clinics for its gastrointestinal regulatory effects.

Methods

The chemical composition of ZS-BZ essential oil (ZBEO) was characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Concurrently, we conducted in vitro investigations using HepG2 hepatoma cells to evaluate its anti-lipid deposition potential. To further elucidate the anti-obesity mechanisms, an in vivo model was established through high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats, followed by transdermal ZBEO administration. Systemic analyses were performed integrating serum metabolomic profiling via UPLC-QTOF-MS and gut microbiota dynamics assessment through 16S rRNA gene sequencing.

Results

ZBEO, rich in atractylon, D-limonene, and γ-elemene and shown to reduce lipid accumulation. Transdermal ZBEO administration in obese rats led to significant weight loss and improved serum metabolic indexes related to the POMC/CART signaling pathway. Additionally, ZBEO altered gut microbiota, enhancing beneficial bacteria and affecting metabolic pathways linked to obesity.

Discussion

We discovered that ZBEO exerts a significant influence on obesity by modulating key biological processes, including glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and the composition of gut microbiota.

Evaluation of antiobesogenic properties of fermented foods: In silico insights

Obesity prevalence has steadily increased over the past decades. Standard approaches, such as increased energy expenditure, lifestyle changes, a balanced diet, and the use of specific drugs, are the conventional strategies for preventing or treating the disease and its associated complications. Fermented foods and their subsequent bioactive constituents are now believed to be a novel strategy that can complement already existing approaches for managing and preventing this disease. Recent developments in systems biology and bioinformatics have made it possible to model and simulate compounds and disease interactions. The adoption of such in silico models has contributed to the discovery of novel fermented product targets and helped in testing hypotheses regarding the mechanistic impact and underlying functions of fermented food components. From the studies explored, key findings suggest that fermented foods affect adipogenesis, lipid metabolism, appetite regulation, gut microbiota composition, insulin resistance, and inflammation related to obesity, which could lead to new ways to treat these conditions. These outcomes were linked to probiotics, prebiotics, metabolites, and complex bioactive substances produced during fermentation. Overall, fermented foods and their bioactive compounds show promise as innovative tools for obesity management by influencing metabolic pathways and overall gut health.

Evaluating the Clinical Impact of a Polyphenol-Rich Extract from Salicornia ramosissima on Patients with Transient Ischemic Attack and Minor Stroke

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is a well-established risk factor for future strokes, making interventions that target recovery and vascular risk crucial. This study aimed to assess the safety and clinical effects of a polyphenol-rich Salicornia ramosissima extract in post-TIA patients. A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted with participants who had a history of TIA or minor stroke and who received 1 g of Salicornia extract or placebo over 11 months. Biochemical analyses, neuropsychological assessments (MOCA test), and gait and aerobic performance tests were conducted at the beginning and the end of the study. A total of 118 individuals were screened, with 80 finally included. Importantly, no significant adverse events were reported throughout the study. A neurological analysis showed an improvement in MOCA scores in patients treated with the Salicornia extract for 11 months. The treatment did not affect spatiotemporal gait parameters, but it significantly reduced blood pressure at baseline and after the aerobic performance test. Biochemically, both groups exhibited mild hyperhomocysteinemia at baseline; however, Salicornia treatment significantly lowered homocysteine levels, bringing them within the normal range. These findings highlight the safety of the Salicornia extract in patients at a high cerebrovascular risk and suggest it as a potential therapeutic option for managing vascular risk factors, such as hyperhomocysteinemia and hypertension. However, further studies are required to confirm the underlying mechanisms and explore broader clinical applications.

Optimization of Liquid Fermentation of Acanthopanax senticosus Leaves and Its Non-Targeted Metabolomics Analysis

To enhance the nutritional value of Acanthopanax senticosus leaves (AL), a fermentation process was conducted using a probiotic Bacillus mixture, and the changes in chemical constituents and biological activities before and after fermentation were compared. A response surface methodology was employed to optimize the liquid fermentation conditions of AL based on their influence on polyphenol content. Non-targeted metabolomics analysis was performed using LC-MS/MS to reveal the differing profiles of compounds before and after fermentation. The results indicated that Bacillus subtilis LK and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens M2 significantly influenced polyphenol content during fermentation. The optimal fermentation conditions were determined to be a fermentation time of 54 h, a temperature of 39.6 °C, and an inoculum size of 2.5% (v/v). In comparison to unfermented AL, the total polyphenol and flavonoid contents, as well as the free radical scavenging capacities measured by DPPH and ABTS assays, and the activities of β-glucosidase and endo-glucanase, were significantly increased. The non-targeted metabolomics analysis identified 1348 metabolites, of which 829 were classified as differential metabolites. A correlation analysis between the differential metabolites of polyphenols, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity revealed that 13 differential metabolites were positively correlated with antioxidant activity. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis of the differential metabolites identified 82 pathways, with two of the top 25 metabolic pathways related to flavonoids. This study explores the potential for enhancing the active ingredients and biological effects of AL through probiotic fermentation using Bacillus strains.

EGCG alleviates heat-stress-induced fat deposition by targeting HSP70 through activation of AMPK-SIRT1-PGC-1α in porcine subcutaneous preadipocytes

Obesity has emerged as a prominent global health concern, with heat stress posing a significant challenge to both human health and animal well-being. Despite a growing interest in environmental determinants of obesity, very few studies have examined the associations between heat stress-related environmental factors and adiposity. Consequently, there exists a clear need to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the obesogenic effects of heat stress and to formulate preventive strategies. This study focused on culturing porcine subcutaneous preadipocytes at 41.5 ℃ to induce heat stress, revealing that this stressor triggered apoptosis and fat deposition. Analysis demonstrated an upregulation in the expression of HSP70, BAX, adipogenesis-related genes (PPARγ, AP2, CEBPα and FAS), the p-AMPK/AMPK ratio and SIRT1, PGC-1α in the heat stress group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Conversely, the expression of lipid lysis-related genes (ATGL, HSL and LPL) and Bcl-2 decreased in the heat stress group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, subsequent activator and/or inhibitor experiments validated that heat stress modulated HSP70 and AMPK signalling pathways to enhance lipogenesis and inhibit lipolysis in porcine subcutaneous preadipocytes. Importantly, this study reveals, for the first time, that EGCG mitigates heat-stress-induced fat deposition by targeting HSP70 through the activation of AMPK-SIRT1-PGC-1α in porcine subcutaneous preadipocytes. These findings elucidate the molecular mechanisms contributing to heat stress-induced obesity and provide a foundation for the potential clinical utilisation of EGCG as a preventive measure against both heat stress and obesity.

Highly oxidized flavones in Artemisia species - structure revisions and improved UHPLC-MSn analysis

In course of our studies of the aerial parts of Artemisia abrotanum the major methoxyflavonol could be isolated. However, by NMR structural analysis it became obvious that the substitution pattern in ring B differs from reports for casticin (2). The position of methoxyl and hydroxyl groups are interchanged, i.e., the major flavone is actually chrysosplenetin (1). Three structures in A. abrotanum and A. frigida had to be revised. Use of pyridine-d5 instead of DMSO‑d6 made the resolution of the B-ring 1H and 13C NMR signals possible and enabled correct structural assignment by 2D NMR experiments. Results from NMR structure elucidation for A. abrotanum were confirmed by LC-PDA-ESI-MSn analysis when a PFP (pentafluorophenyl) stationary phase with an optimized gradient elution was applied for separation of 1 and 2 instead of a corresponding C-18 phase. Electrospray mass spectrometry (positive and negative mode) with subsequent fragmentation (ESI-MSn) revealed distinctive mass spectral features of both compounds, especially at MS4 level. Several Artemisia extracts including A. annua were analysed on the PFP phase for the presence of 1 and 2.

Effects of Polyphenol-Rich Foods on Chronic Diseases

Ever since the French paradox raised the research interest pertaining to the high potential of certain phytochemicals-until then regarded as anti-nutrients-as positive bioactive compounds for health, research on the biological and molecular effects of polyphenols has subsequently been continuously increasing [...].