Molecular mechanism of DLBS3733, a bioactive fraction of Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers., on ameliorating hepatic lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells

Unlocking Cholesterol Metabolism in Metabolic-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease: Molecular Targets and Natural Product Interventions

Metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome, represents a growing global health concern. The intricate pathogenesis of MASLD, driven by genetic, metabolic, epigenetic, and environmental factors, leads to considerable clinical variability. Dysregulation of hepatic lipid metabolism, particularly cholesterol homeostasis, is a critical factor in the progression of MASLD and its more severe form, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). This review elucidates the multifaceted roles of cholesterol metabolism in MASLD, focusing on its absorption, transportation, biosynthesis, efflux, and conversion. We highlight recent advancements in understanding these processes and explore the therapeutic potential of natural products such as curcumin, berberine, and resveratrol in modulating cholesterol metabolism. By targeting key molecular pathways, these natural products offer promising strategies for MASLD management. Finally, this review also covers the clinical studies of natural products in MASLD, providing new insights for future research and clinical applications.

Quercetin ameliorates chicken quality by activating the PI3K/PKB/AMPK signaling pathway in broilers

This study was conducted to investigate the effects and mechanism of quercetin on chicken quality in broilers. We selected 480 AA broilers (1 day old) and randomly allotted those to four treatments (negative control and 0.2, 0.4, or 0.6 g of quercetin per kg of diet) for 42 days. Compared with the control group, the supplementation with 0.4 g of quercetin significantly increased the pH_45min and L ^* value of the thigh muscle and decreased the shearing force of the thigh muscle and breast muscle and drip loss of the thigh muscle (P < 0.05). The supplementation with 0.6 g/kg of quercetin significantly increased the pH_45min and L ^* value of the thigh muscle, and pH_45min of breast muscle and decreased the drip loss of the thigh muscle (P < 0.05). Sensory scores of meat color, tenderness, and juiciness also were improved with increasing quercetin concentration (P < 0.05). The inosinic acid (IMP) content of the breast and thigh muscles of broilers was significantly increased by supplementation with 0.6 g/kg of quercetin (P < 0.05). Supplementation with 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 g of quercetin significantly reduced mRNA expression of L-FABP (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, and P < 0.05); supplementation with 0.4 and 0.6 g/kg of quercetin significantly increased mRNA expression of PKB and AMPKα1 (P < 0.05 and P < 0.05); supplementation with 0.6 g/kg of quercetin in the diet significantly reduced mRNA expression of SREBP1 and HMGR (P < 0.05 and P < 0.05) and significantly increased mRNA expression of CPT1 and PPARγ (P < 0.05 and P < 0.05); and supplementation with 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 g/kg of quercetin significantly increased mRNA expression of PI3K, LPL, and Apo A1 and significantly reduced mRNA expression of ACC and FATP1 in the breast muscle of broilers (P > 0.05). PI3k, PKB, AMPK, SREBP1, and L-FABP were significantly and positively correlated with pH_45min (P < 0.05); PPARγ was significantly and positively correlated with shear force (P < 0.05); CPT1 was significantly and positively correlated with the L ^* value (P < 0.05); and HMGR was significantly and positively correlated with drip loss (P < 0.05). In conclusion, quercetin improved the meat quality, protecting it against lipid oxidation and deposition by regulating the PI3K/PKB/AMPK_α1 signaling pathway in the breast muscle of broilers.

In vitro Evaluation of the Anti-hypercholesterolemic Effect of Lactobacillus Isolates From Various Sources

The anti-hypercholesterolemic effect of 11 Lactobacillus isolates was investigated in vitro by measuring remaining cholesterol in growth media, growth ability in media supplemented with cholesterol, and BSH activity. Among the selected isolates, DLBSH104, DLBSH122, and DLBSK207 have demonstrated outstanding potential as cholesterol-lowering cultures. The three isolates showed high cholesterol removal by growing cells, whereas resting and dead cells showed less cholesterol removal. Furthermore, visualization of those isolates in growing and non-growing states by SEM showed the ability of DLBSH104 to attach cholesterol to their cell surface. In contrast, alteration of DLBSH122 and DLBSK207 cells did not involve surface attachment of cholesterol. Thus, the isolates’ ability to remove cholesterol is mainly attributed to the cells’ metabolically active state that assimilates and incorporates cholesterol into the cell membrane as reflected by a significantly higher cholesterol removal in a growing state than a non-growing state. Only in DLBSH104 did cholesterol removal also involve attachment on the cell surface. Moreover, DLBSH104 has beneficially affected the host cell by a significant reduction of NPC1L1 mRNA levels that are responsible for intestinal cholesterol absorption. In hepatic cells, cell-free supernatant (CFS) from DLBSH104 and DLBSK207 were able to reduce LDLR and HMGCR mRNA at the transcription level. To sum up, L. helveticus DLBSH104 and L. plantarum DLBSK207 are confirmed as isolates with an anti-hypercholesterolemic effect.