Anti-obesity Effects of Ginsenosides in High-Fat Diet-Fed Rats

Natural compounds as obesity pharmacotherapies

Obesity has become a serious global public health problem, affecting over 988 million people worldwide. Nevertheless, current pharmacotherapies have proven inadequate. Natural compounds have garnered significant attention due to their potential antiobesity effects. Over the past three decades, ca. 50 natural compounds have been evaluated for the preventive and/or therapeutic effects on obesity in animals and humans. However, variations in the antiobesity efficacies among these natural compounds have been substantial, owing to differences in experimental designs, including variations in animal models, dosages, treatment durations, and administration methods. The feasibility of employing these natural compounds as pharmacotherapies for obesity remained uncertain. In this review, we systematically summarized the antiobesity efficacy and mechanisms of action of each natural compound in animal models. This comprehensive review furnishes valuable insights for the development of antiobesity medications based on natural compounds.

Regulation of appetite-related neuropeptides by Panax ginseng: A novel approach for obesity treatment

Obesity is a primary factor provoking various chronic disorders, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, and causes the death of 2.8 million individuals each year. Diet, physical activity, medications, and surgery are the main therapies for overweightness and obesity. During weight loss therapy, a decrease in energy stores activates appetite signaling pathways under the regulation of neuropeptides, including anorexigenic [corticotropin-releasing hormone, proopiomelanocortin (POMC), cholecystokinin (CCK), and cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript] and orexigenic [agouti-related protein (AgRP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and melanin-concentrating hormone] neuropeptides, which increase food intake and lead to failure in attaining weight loss goals. Ginseng and ginsenosides reverse these signaling pathways by suppressing orexigenic neuropeptides (NPY and AgRP) and provoking anorexigenic neuropeptides (CCK and POMC), which prevent the increase in food intake. Moreover, the results of network pharmacology analysis have revealed that constituents of ginseng radix, including campesterol, beta-elemene, ginsenoside Rb1, biotin, and pantothenic acid, are highly correlated with neuropeptide genes that regulate energy balance and food intake, including ADIPOQ, NAMPT, UBL5, NUCB2, LEP, CCK, GAST, IGF1, RLN1, PENK, PDYN, and POMC. Based on previous studies and network pharmacology analysis data, ginseng and its compounds may be a potent source for obesity treatment by regulating neuropeptides associated with appetite.

Neuronal mechanisms of ginseng on antiobesity effects: implication of its synergistic benefits with physical exercise

Obesity is a chronic disease of increasing prevalence in most countries, which leads to substantial increase in morbidity, and mortality in association with diabetes, hyperlipidaemia, hypertension, and other cardiovascular diseases. Many factors have been attributed to an epidemic of obesity including sedentary lifestyle, high-fat diets (HFD), and consumption of large amount of modern fast foods. Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (PG) has several pharmacological and physiological effects. In particular, PG and saponin fractions from PG show a variety of efficacies such as antifatigue, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and noninsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and obesity. We have revealed that ginseng and ginsenosides can decrease food intake energy expenditure by stimulating appetite regulatory hormones and can reduce energy intake. Exercise/ physical activity is well known as modality for treating the disease of overweight and obesity. It is suggested that natural products and their combinations with exercise may produce a synergistic activity that increases their bioavailability and action on multiple molecular targets, offering advantages over chemical treatments. This review is aimed at evaluating the antiobesity efficacy of ginseng and ginsenosides and delineating the mechanisms by which they function. Finally, we review information regarding interactions between ginseng and physical exercise in protecting against weight gain and obesity.

AgRP/NPY and POMC neurons in the arcuate nucleus and their potential role in treatment of obesity

Obesity is a major health crisis affecting over a third of the global population. This multifactorial disease is regulated via interoceptive neural circuits in the brain, whose alteration results in excessive body weight. Certain central neuronal populations in the brain are recognised as crucial nodes in energy homeostasis; in particular, the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) region contains two peptide microcircuits that control energy balance with antagonistic functions: agouti-related peptide/neuropeptide-Y (AgRP/NPY) signals hunger and stimulates food intake; and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) signals satiety and reduces food intake. These neuronal peptides levels react to energy status and integrate signals from peripheral ghrelin, leptin, and insulin to regulate feeding and energy expenditure. To manage obesity comprehensively, it is crucial to understand cellular and molecular mechanisms of information processing in ARC neurons, since these regulate energy homeostasis. Importantly, a specific strategy focusing on ARC circuits needs to be devised to assist in treating obese patients and maintaining weight loss with minimal or no side effects. The aim of this review is to elucidate the recent developments in the study of AgRP-, NPY- and POMC-producing neurons, specific to their role in controlling metabolism. The impact of ghrelin, leptin, and insulin signalling via action of these neurons is also surveyed, since they also impact energy balance through this route. Lastly, we present key proteins, targeted genes, compounds, drugs, and therapies that actively work via these neurons and could potentially be used as therapeutic targets for treating obesity conditions.

Safety assessment of crude saponins from Chenopodium quinoa willd. husks: 90-day oral toxicity and gut microbiota & metabonomics study in rats

The subchronic toxicity of saponins of Chenopodium quinoa Willd. husks in healthy adult Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats was explored. Female and male rats were randomly divided into 0, 5, 50, and 500 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day groups. Subchronic general toxicity, metabonomics and gut microbiota were assessed. The rats treated with saponins weighed less and had lower blood sugar levels (P < 0.05). Thirty-two differential metabolites were found in female rats and 23 in male rats. Saponins also led to changes in metabonomics. Slight necrosis was observed in the intestinal mucosa, which was associated with an increase in the gut microbiota diversity of female rats in the high-dose saponin treatment group and metabolic changes in the liver and kidney. In conclusion, the toxic effect of quinoa saponins is sex-dependent; however, the no-observed-adverse-effect level for quinoa saponins was evaluated to be under 50 mg/kg BW/day for both sexes in the current study.

Gut Microbiota: Novel Therapeutic Target of Ginsenosides for the Treatment of Obesity and Its Complications

Obesity, generally characterized by excessive lipid accumulation, is a metabolic threat worldwide due to its rapid growth in global prevalence. Ginsenosides are crucial components derived from natural plants that can confer metabolic benefits for obese patients. Considering the low bioavailability and degradable properties of ginsenosides in vivo, it should be admitted that the mechanism of ginsenosides on anti-obesity contribution is still obscure. Recently, studies have indicated that ginsenoside intervention has beneficial metabolic effects on obesity and its complications because it allows for the correction of gut microbiota dysbiosis and regulates the secretion of related endogenous metabolites. In this review, we summarize the role of gut microbiota in the pathogenetic process of obesity, and explore the mechanism of ginsenosides for ameliorating obesity, which can modulate the composition of gut microbiota by improving the metabolism of intestinal endogenous substances and alleviating the level of inflammation. Ginsenosides are expected to become a promising anti-obesity medical intervention in the foreseeable clinical settings.

Pharmacological activities of ginsenoside Rg5 (Review)

Ginseng, a perennial plant belonging to genus Panax, has been widely used in traditional herbal medicine in East Asia and North America. Ginsenosides are the most important pharmacological component of ginseng. Variabilities in attached positions, inner and outer residues and types of sugar moieties may be associated with the specific pharmacological activities of each ginsenoside. Ginsenoside Rg5 (Rg5) is a minor ginsenoside synthesized during ginseng steaming treatment that exhibits superior pharmaceutical activity compared with major ginsenosides. With high safety and various biological functions, Rg5 may act as a potential therapeutic candidate for diverse diseases. To date, there have been no systematic studies on the activity of Rg5. Therefore, in this review, all available literature was reviewed and discussed to facilitate further research on Rg5.

Effect of Panax notoginseng Saponins and Major Anti-Obesity Components on Weight Loss

The prevalence of individuals who are overweight or obese is rising rapidly globally. Currently, majority of drugs used to treat obesity are ineffective or are accompanied by obvious side effects; hence, the options are very limited. Therefore, it is necessary to find more effective and safer anti-obesity drugs. It has been proven in vivo and in vitro that the active ingredient notoginsenosides isolated from traditional Chinese medicine Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F. H. Chen exhibits anti-obesity effects. Notoginsenosides can treat obesity by reducing lipid synthesis, inhibiting adipogenesis, promoting white adipose tissue browning, increasing energy consumption, and improving insulin sensitivity. Although notoginsenosides are potential drugs for the treatment of obesity, their effects and mechanisms have not been analyzed in depth. In this review, the anti-obesity potential and mechanism of action of notoginsenosides were analyzed; thus laying emphasis on the timely prevention and treatment of obesity.

High-fat diet and fructose drink introduced after weaning rats, induces a better human obesity model than very high-fat diet

In the present study, we associated a high-fat diet (HF group: 45% kcal from lipids) or very high-fat (VHF group: 60% kcal from lipids) diet with a fructose drink (10% fructose) for hydration. Normal rat chow that received the control diet (content 16.3% kcal from lipid-AIN93G) and water. The treatments were introduced soon after weaning and were administered for 70 days. We aimed to compare HF and VHF groups and find which acts as a better model mimicking human obesity. Body mass gain, final body weight, adipocyte area in inguinal depots, visceral and subcutaneous adipose depots, serum triacylglycerol, and VLDL-c were all higher in the HF group, followed by the VHF group, compared to the C group. Only the HF group showed hyperinsulinemia and hyperleptinemia and higher total caloric intake, Lee index, HOMA2-IR, and total cholesterol. Serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels were lower in the HF and VHF groups than in the C group at the end for 70 days. In Summary, the HF (45%) diet administered with fructose induced a higher similarity of metabolic and hormonal alterations associated with human obesity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: High intake of lipids with sugary drinks has been associated with obesity and its comorbidities. Although a diet with 45% or 60% of lipids is considered hyperlipidic, they are different in their effects on eating behavior and also probably from a metabolic point of view. Common sense is that the reduction in intake of lipids is favorable to health. Our study shows that this is not wholly true, and this information contributes to the guidelines for the treatment of obesity. In addition, the scientific literature on the subject has shown the most diverse results and also the use of experimental models with few similarities with human obesity. Our findings can contribute as a good model of obesity initiated during childhood to investigate possible using nutritional strategies, or the adoption of ergogenic nutritional resources in future studies, for example.

High-fat diet-induced memory impairment and anxiety-like behavior in rats attenuated by peel extract of Ananas comosus fruit via atheroprotective, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions

BACKGROUND

Pineapple peel is a waste component of pineapple with valuable source of metabolites as phytoactive compounds in ameliorating metabolic-related disorders. This study investigated the atheroprotective and neuroprotective effects of peel extract of Ananas comosus fruit (PEAC) in normal diet (ND) and high-fat diet (HFD) fed rats.

METHODS

Male Wistar rats were fed ND or HFD for 9 weeks, and beginning from the 6th week animals were also orally treated with PEAC (200 mg/kg). Memory performance was assessed using Y-maze test (YMT) and novel object recognition test (NORT) while anxiolytic-like effect was assessed on the elevated plus maze (EPM). Serum cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL-C were determined, while LDL-C and atherogenic risk calculated. Serum and brain tissue malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, catalase were determined. Brain acetylcholinesterase activity and interleukin-6 level were also determined.

RESULTS

PEAC significantly attenuated HFD-induced reduction in correct alternation in YMT, and discrimination index in NORT. Also, PEAC demonstrated anxiolytic-like activity in EPM test. PEAC significantly improved lipid profile and decreased risk of atherogenicity in ND and HFD-fed rats. In addition, PEAC improves serum and brain antioxidant status by decreasing malondialdehyde and increasing GSH and catalase. PEAC significantly impaired HFD-induced brain acetylcholinesterase activity and IL-6 levels.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that peel extract of Ananas comosus fruit may protect against diet-induced behavioral disturbances via atheroprotective, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory activities.

Exploring Phytotherapeutic Alternatives for Obesity, Insulin Resistance and Diabetes Mellitus

At present, the pathologic spectrum of obesity-insulin resistance (IR)-diabetes mellitus (DM) represents not only a pressing matter in public health but also a paramount object of study in biomedical research, as they constitute major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD), and other chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD). Phytotherapy, the use of medicinal herbs (MH) with treatment purposes, offers a wide array of opportunities for innovation in the management of these disorders; mainly as pharmacological research on small molecules accumulates. Several MH has displayed varied mechanisms of action relevant to the pathogenesis of obesity, IR and DM, including immunological and endocrine modulation, reduction of inflammation and oxidative stress (OS), regulation of appetite, thermogenesis and energy homeostasis, sensitisation to insulin function and potentiation of insulin release, among many others. However, the clinical correlates of these molecular phenomena remain relatively uncertain, with only a handful of MH boasting convincing clinical evidence in this regard. This review comprises an exploration of currently available preclinical and clinical research on the role of MH in the management of obesity, IR, and DM.

Ginsenoside Rb1, salvianolic acid B and their combination modulate gut microbiota and improve glucolipid metabolism in high-fat diet induced obese mice

Background

To observe the effect of ginsenoside Rb1, salvianolic acid B and their combination on glucolipid metabolism and structural changes of gut microbiota.

Methods

Eight-week-old C57BL/6J mice were fed 45% high-fat diet to induce obesity. The obese mice were randomly divided into four groups, Con group as model control, ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1) group, salvianolic acid B (SalB) group and ginsenoside Rb1+ salvianolic acid B (Rb1SalB) group. Mice in Rb1, SalB and Rb1SalB group were treated by gavage with ginsenoside Rb1, salvianolic acid B and the combination of the two ingredients, respectively. While mice in Con group were given the same amount of sterile water. The intervention lasted 8 weeks. Body weight and fasting blood glucose were measured every 2 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance test was conducted on the 4th and 8th week of drug intervention. At the end of the experiment, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and non-esterified fatty acid content as well as glycated hemoglobin were measured and feces were collected for 16S rDNA sequencing.

Results

Both ginsenoside Rb1 and Rb1SalB combination decreased body weight significantly (P < 0.05). Ginsenoside Rb1, salvianolic acid B and their combination alleviated fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin and blood lipid profiles effectively (P < 0.05, compared with the corresponding indicators in Con group). Oral glucose tolerance test results at the 8th week showed that glucose tolerance was significantly improved in all three treatment groups. Ginsenoside Rb1, salvianolic acid B and their combination reduced the overall diversity of gut microbiota in feces and changed the microbial composition of the obese mice. LDA effect size (LefSe) analysis revealed the key indicator taxa corresponding to the treatment.

Conclusion

Ginsenoside Rb1, salvianolic acid B and their combination could lower blood glucose and lipid level, and improve glucose tolerance of obese mice. The above effect may be at least partially through modulation of gut microbial composition.

Berberine for Appetite Suppressant and Prevention of Obesity

Berberine (BBR), a natural plant product, has been shown to have antidiabetic, cholesterol-reducing effects. To investigate the action of BBR as appetite suppressants, two experimental protocols were performed. In the first experiment, the mice were fed either a normal-chow diet or a high-fat diet (HF). The mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of BBR (10 mg/kg or saline at 1 ml/kg) for 3 weeks. To determine the antiobesity effects of BBR, the food consumption, body weight, fat contents, serum leptin, and glucose level were investigated. In the second experiment, we set out to validate the effect of BBR on central neuropeptide Y (NPY) stimulated rats. Experiments were carried out in 24-hour fasted rats, and then food intake and glucose level were subsequently recorded for 1 hour. The experimental groups were subdivided into the intra-3rd ventricular microinjections of ACSF (artificial cerebrospinal fluid), neuropeptide Y (NPY; 100 nM), NPY+BBR (10 nM), and NPY+BBR (100 nM) group. And then the blood glucose level was examined. In the first experiment, treatment with BBR in the HF diet mice reduced food intake, body weight, fat contents, serum leptin, and glucose level. In the second experiment, the NPY-injected group increased food intake by 39.3%, and food intake was reduced in the BBR group by 47.5%, compared with the ACSF-injected group. Also, the serum glucose level in the NPY+BBR (100 nM) group was significantly lower than that in the NPY (100 nM) group. The results suggest that BBR improved lipid dysregulation in obesity by controlling the central obesity related pathway.

Gastrointestinal peptides and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

In this review, authors have selected from literature the most recent and suggestive studies on therapy of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The selected interventions regulate the action of gastrointestinal peptides, such as gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP), nesfatin, peptide YY, cholecystokinin, and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). These hormones have been found frequently modified in obesity and/or type 2 diabetes mellitus, morbidities mostly associated with NAFLD. This disease has a very high prevalence worldwide and could evolve in a more severe form, that is, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, characterized by inflammation and fibrosis. The findings shown by this article describe the metabolic effects of new drugs, mainly but not only, as well of some old substances.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent approaches, in animal models or in humans, use synthetic GLP-1 receptor agonists, a centrally administered antibody neutralizing GIP receptor, curcumin, compound being active on nesfatin, resveratrol (antiinflammatory agent), and Ginseg, both of them acting on nesfatin, a cholecystokinin receptor analogue, and finally coffee functioning on YY peptide.

SUMMARY

The implications of the presented findings, if they are confirmed in larger clinical trials, likely open the door to future application in clinical practice. In fact, nowadays, patients have only diet and article (incl abstract and keywords) exercise as well accepted recommendations. Thus, there are unmet needs to find substances that could really improve the progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis toward liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.