Flavonoid-enriched extract from Millettia speciosa Champ prevents obesity by regulating thermogenesis and lipid metabolism in high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6 mice

A narrative review on the mechanism of natural flavonoids in improving glucolipid metabolism disorders

Glucolipid metabolism disorder (GLMD) is a complex chronic disease characterized by glucose and lipid metabolism disorders with a complex and diverse etiology and rapidly increasing incidence. Many studies have identified the role of flavonoids in ameliorating GLMD, with mechanisms related to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, nuclear factor kappa-B, AMP-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2, glucose transporter type 4, and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway. However, a comprehensive summary of the flavonoid effects on GLMD is lacking. This study reviewed the roles and mechanisms of natural flavonoids with different structures in the treatment of GLMD reported globally in the past 5 years and provides a reference for developing flavonoids as drugs for treating GLMD.

Anthocyanins from Lycium ruthenicum Murray attenuates high-fat diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in ApoE-/- mice are related to the modulation of gut microbiota and the ratio of conjugated to unconjugated bile acids in fecal bile acid profile

Previous findings showed that anthocyanins from Lycium ruthenicum Murray (ACN) reduced HFD-induced hypercholesterolemia by regulating gut microbiota, but the mechanism has not been fully understood. The objective of this research was to know whether the cholesterol-lowering impact of ACN in HFD-induced ApoE-/- mice is related to the gut microbiota-bile acid (BA) metabolism. Twenty-four male ApoE-/- mice were divided into three groups: the Control group, the HFD group, and the HFD + ACN group. Here, we showed that ACN intervention reduced HFD-induced body weight serum concentrations of TC and LDL-C and ameliorated lipid accumulation in the liver and adipose tissues. Besides, ACN altered gut microbiota composition in HFD-fed ApoE-/- mice. Moreover, UHPLC-MS/MS analysis revealed that ACN intervention significantly increased the ratio of conjugated to unconjugated BAs in feces induced by HFD, attributed to the increase in conjugated BAs and decrease in unconjugated BAs. Finally, the correlation analysis indicated that the above changes in fecal BA profile were linked with an increase in Bifidobacterium, Allobaculum and a decrease in Ileibacterium, Helicobacter, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, Blautia, Odoribacter, and Colidextribacter. In summary, ACN could alleviate HFD-induced hypercholesterolemia in ApoE-/- mice, which was associated with the improvement of gut microbiota and modulation of fecal BA profile.

Effect of aqueous extract of Millettia speciosa Champ on intestinal health maintenance and immune enhancement of Cyprinus carpio

Millettia speciosa Champ (MSP) is a natural Chinese herb that improves gastrointestinal health and enhances animal immunity. An 8-week feeding trial with different MSP levels (0, 150, 300, and 600 mg/kg) was conducted to evaluate the promotive effects of MSP in Cyprinus carpio. Results indicate that MSP improved intestinal immunity to some extent evidenced by the immuno-antioxidant parameters and the 16S rRNA in the Illumina MiSeq platform. With the analysis of transcriptome sequencing, 4685 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including 2149 up-regulated and 2536 down-regulated. According to the GO and KEGG enrichments, DEGs were mainly involved in the immune system. Transcriptional expression of the NOD-like signaling pathway and key genes retrieved from the transcriptome database confirmed that innate immunity was improved in response to dietary MSP administration. Therefore, MSP could be used as a feed supplement that enhances immunity. This may provide insight into Chinese herb additive application in aquaculture production.

Quality control for a traditional Chinese medicine, Millettia speciosa Champ, using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography fingerprint, serum pharmacochemistry and network pharmacology

Millettia speciosa (M. speciosa) Champ (MSC) is a healthy food type with medicinal and edible homology, which is now considered a clinically significant anti-rheumatoid arthritis medicine. However, there is currently no standardized or generally accepted research strategy by which we can assess M. speciosa. Thus, it is essential to develop novel theories, strategies and evaluation methods for the scientific quality control of M. speciosa. Herein, our use ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)-MS/MS analysis identified 12 common bioactive components absorbed into MSC serum. Next, network pharmacology analysis exhibited that 5 MSC components may be those active components in treating rheumatoid arthritis and may be considered potential quality markers. These 5 components were then quantified using a fast UPLC approach, based on the quality marker of measurability, showing that lenticin can be regarded as the MSC quality marker. The cumulative study findings, based on systematic assessment of chemical composition both in vivo and in vitro, and the potential efficacy of M. speciosa, provide a novel approach for M. speciosa quality control.

Effects of climate change on the geographical distribution and potential distribution areas of 35 Millettia Species in China

Climate change has an extremely important impact on the geographic distribution of plants. The genus Millettia is an important plant resource in China and is widely used in medicine and ornamental industries. Due to the continuous changes of climate and the development and utilization of plant resources of the genus Millettia, it is of great significance to systematically investigate the geographic distribution of plants of the Millettia and their potential distribution under climate change. DIVA-GIS software was used to analyze 3492 plant specimens of 35 species of genus Millettia in the herbarium, and the ecological geographic distribution and richness of Millettia were analyzed, and the MaxEnt model was used to analyze the current and potential distribution in the future. The results show that the genus Millettia is distributed in 30 provinces in China, among which Yunnan and Guangdong provinces are the most distributed. Our model determines that precipitation in the driest month and annual temperature range are the most important bioclimatic variables. Future climate changes will increase the suitable habitat area of M. congestiflora by 16.75%, but other cliff beans Suitable habitats for vines will decrease significantly: M. cinereal by 47.66%, M. oosperma by 39.16%, M. pulchra by 36.04%, M. oraria by - 29.32%, M. nitida by 22.88%, M. dielsiana by 22.72%, M. sericosema by 19.53%, M. championii by 7.77%, M. pachycarpa by 7.72%, M. speciose by 2.05%, M. reticulata by 1.32%. Therefore, targeted measures should be taken to protect and develop these precious plant resources.

Potential of enhancing anti-obesogenic agriceuticals by applying sustainable fertilizers during plant cultivation

Overweight and obesity are two of the world's biggest health problems. They are associated with excessive fat accumulation resulting from an imbalance between energy consumed and energy expended. Conventional therapies for obesity commonly include synthetic drugs and surgical procedures that can lead to serious side effects. Therefore, developing effective, safe, and readily available new treatments to prevent and treat obesity is highly relevant. Many plant extracts have shown anti-obesogenic potential. These plant extracts are composed of different agriceuticals such as fibers, phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, alkaloids, lignans, and proteins that can manage obesity by suppressing appetite, inhibiting digestive enzymes, reducing adipogenesis and lipogenesis, promoting lipolysis and thermogenesis, modulating gut microbiota and suppressing obesity-induced inflammation. These anti-obesogenic agriceuticals can be enhanced in plants during their cultivation by applying sustainable fertilization strategies, improving their capacity to fight the obesity pandemic. Biofertilization and nanofertilization are considered efficient, eco-friendly, and cost-effective strategies to enhance plant growth and development and increase the content of nutrients and bioactive compounds, representing an alternative to overproducing the anti-obesogenic agriceuticals of interest. However, further research is required to study the impact of anti-obesogenic plant species grown using these agricultural practices. This review presents the current scenario of overweight and obesity; recent research work describing different plant species with significant effects against obesity; and several reports exhibiting the potential of the biofertilization and nanofertilization practices to enhance the concentrations of bioactive molecules of anti-obesogenic plant species.