MDG-1, a polysaccharide from Ophiopogon japonicus, prevents high fat diet-induced obesity and increases energy expenditure in mice

Structural characterization of an inulin neoseries-type fructan from Ophiopogonis Radix and the therapeutic effect on liver fibrosis in vivo

Ophiopogonis Radix is a well-known Traditional Chinese Medicine and functional food that is rich in polysaccharides and has fructan as a characteristic component. In this study, an inulin neoseries-type fructan designated as OJP-W2 was obtained and characterized from Ophiopogonis Radix, and its potential therapeutic effect on liver fibrosis in vivo were investigated. Structural studies revealed that OJP-W2 had a molecular weight of 5.76 kDa and was composed of glucose and fructose with a molar ratio of 1.00:30.87. Further analysis revealed OJP-W2 has a predominantly lineal (1-2)-linked β-D-fructosyl units linked to the glucose moiety of the sucrose molecule with (2-6)-linked β-D-fructosyl side chains. Pharmacological studies revealed that OJP-W2 exerted a marked hepatoprotective effect against liver fibrosis, the mechanism of action was involved in regulating collagen deposition (α-SMA, COL1A1 and liver Hyp contents) and TGF-β/Smads signaling pathway, alleviating liver inflammation (IL-1β, IL-6, CCL5 and F4/80) and MAPK signaling pathway, and inhibiting hepatic apoptosis (Bax, Bcl-2, ATF4 and Caspase 3). These data provide evidence for expanding Ophiopogonis Radix-acquired fructan types and advancing our understanding of the specific role of inulin neoseries-type fructan in liver fibrosis therapy.

Raspberry polysaccharides attenuate hepatic inflammation and oxidative stress in diet-induced obese mice by enhancing butyrate-mediated intestinal barrier function

Obesity and associated liver diseases are becoming global public health challenges. Raspberry (Rubus chingii Hu.), as a medicine food homology plant, possesses a series of health-promoting properties, but its protective effect on obesity-related liver injury and the potential mechanisms remain obscure. Herein high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice were orally treated with raspberry polysaccharides (RCP) for 14 weeks. Treatment with RCP alleviated obesity and associated symptoms including hyperglycemia, hyperlipemia, endotoxemia, as well as hepatic inflammation and oxidant stress in HFD-induced obese mice. RCP restructured the gut microbiota and host metabolism especially by increasing the levels of Dubosiella and its metabolite butyrate. Besides, exogenous butyrate supplementation protected against intestinal barrier disruption, and thereby reduced inflow of lipopolysaccharide and mitigated inflammation and oxidative injury in the liver of obese mice. Therefore, we suggest that RCP can be utilized as a novel prebiotics to improve obesity-induced hepatic oxidative injury by enhancing butyrate-mediated intestinal barrier function.

A prospective review of the health-promoting potential of Jing Si Herbal Tea

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has gained considerable attention over the past few years for its multicomponent, multitarget, and multi-pathway approach to treating different diseases. Studies have shown that TCMs as adjuvant therapy along with conventional treatment may benefit in safely treating various disorders. However, investigations on finding effective herbal combinations are ongoing. A novel TCM formula, "Jing Si Herbal Tea (JSHT)," has been reported recently for their health-promoting effects in improving overall body and mental health. JSHT is a combination of eight herbs recognized in Chinese herbal pharmacopoeia for their anti-viral, anti-aging, and anti-cancer properties as well as protective effects against cardiovascular, metabolic, neural, digestive, and genitourinary diseases. Thus, to better understand the beneficial effects of the ingredients of JSHT on health, this review intends to summarize the preclinical and clinical studies of the ingredients of JSHT on human health and diseases, and possible therapeutic effects with the related mode of actions and future prospects for their application in complementary therapies.

Managing metabolic diseases: The roles and therapeutic prospects of herb-derived polysaccharides

Metabolic diseases have become a public health problem worldwide. Effective, novel and natural therapies are urgently needed to treat metabolic diseases. As natural bioactive compounds, polysaccharides have many physiological and medicinal properties. Recently, herb-derived polysaccharides have shown beneficial effects in the treatment of metabolic diseases, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This review comprehensively summarizes the pharmacological progress and clinical evidence of herb-derived polysaccharides in the treatment of three metabolic diseases, namely type 2 diabetes mellitus, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and obesity, and more importantly, discusses the molecular mechanism involved. Existing evidence has proved that herb-derived polysaccharides can maintain glucose homeostasis, promote insulin secretion, improve insulin resistance, reduce weight gain and hepatic steatosis, inhibit lipogenesis, alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation, and improve gut microbiota disorders in rodents with metabolic diseases. Notably, so far, human clinical trials of herb-derived polysaccharides for these three metabolic diseases remain rare. All in all, herb-derived polysaccharides may have good potential as drug candidates for the prevention and management of metabolic diseases. More high-quality clinical trials are needed to further validate its effectiveness and safety in human subjects.

Biodegradable Nanoparticles Prepared from Chitosan and Casein for Delivery of Bioactive Polysaccharides

Ophiopogon japonicus polysaccharides (OJPs) have great anti-inflammation and immunomodulatory abilities. However, the low bioavailability of OJPs reduces its applicability in the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields. Chitosan (CS) has excellent mucoadhesive properties and absorption-enhancing ability in oral administration. Casein hydrolysate (CL) has good interfacial diffusivity and emulsifying ability, and can interact with polysaccharides to form complexes combining the individual properties of both. Therefore, chitosan and casein hydrolysate are good candidates for developing nanoformulations for oral delivery. In this study, bioactive polysaccharides (OJPs), CS and CL, were combined to prepare CS/OJPs/CL co-assembled biodegradable nanoparticles. The interactions between polysaccharides (CS and OJPs) and peptide (CL) resulted in the formation of nanoparticles with an average particle size of 198 nm and high OJPs loading efficiency. The colloidal properties of the nanoparticles were pH-dependent, which were changed significantly in simulated digestive fluid at different pH values. OJPs released from the CS/OJPs/CL nanoparticles were greatly affected by pH and enzymatic degradation (trypsin and lysozyme). The nanoparticles were easily internalized by macrophages, thereby enhancing the OJPs’ inhibitory ability against Ni²⁺-induced cytotoxicity and LPS-induced nitric oxide production. This study demonstrates that prepared polysaccharide/protein co-assembled nanoparticles can be potential nanocarriers for the oral delivery of bioactive polysaccharides with anti-inflammatory functions.

MDG, an Ophiopogon japonicus polysaccharide, inhibits non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by regulating the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila

MDG, a polysaccharide derived from Ophiopogon japonicus, displays a protective effect against obesity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, there is no definitive evidence proving the specific mechanism of MDG against NAFLD. The results showed MDG supplementation ameliorated lipid accumulation, liver steatosis, and chronic inflammation in high-fat diet-induced NAFLD mice. Besides, MDG increased the abundance and diversity of microbial communities in the gut. These effects were mediated by the colonization of fecal microbiota. Further investigation revealed that Akkermansia muciniphila levels correlated negatively with NAFLD development, and lipid metabolism-related signaling might be the key regulator. Our study suggested that MDG treatment could inhibit obesity and the NAFLD process by modulating lipid-related pathways via altering the structure and diversity of gut microbiota. In addition, Akkermansia miniciphila might be a promising candidate in future research into NAFLD.

A homogeneous polysaccharide from Lycium barbarum: Structural characterizations, anti-obesity effects and impacts on gut microbiota

Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) are known for their beneficial effects on diabetes, NAFLD and related chronic metabolic diseases induced by high-fat diet (HFD). However, the relevant researches are mainly about the whole crude polysaccharides, the specific active ingredient of LBPs and its bioactivity have been rarely explored. Herein, a homogeneous polysaccharide (LBP-W) was isolated and purified from crude LBPs. Structure characterizations indicated that LBP-W contained a main chain consisting of a repeated unit of →6)-β-Galp(1 → residues with branches composed of α-Araf, β-Galp and α-Rhap residues at position C-3. The objective of this study was to evaluate the anti-obesogenic effect of LBP-W and figure out the underlying mechanisms. In vivo efficacy trial illustrated that LBP-W supplements can alleviate HFD-induced mice obesity significantly. Gut microbiota analysis showed that LBP-W not only improved community diversity of intestinal flora, but also regulated their specific genera. Moreover, LBP-W can increase the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), a metabolite of the intestinal flora. In summary, all these results demonstrated that the homogeneous polysaccharide purified from L. barbarum could be used as a prebiotic agent to improve obesity by modulating the composition of intestinal flora and the metabolism of SCFAs.

Guar gum-derived galactomannan induces inflammatory responses and increased energy expenditure in the intestine

Guar gum-derived galactomannan (GGGM) has been widely used in the food industry for a long time and its adverse impacts have been scarcely reported. Galactomannan is considered to have a structure similar to the surface components of certain pathogens, and the present study was thus conducted to investigate if oral administration of GGGM could cause physiological effects that were hypothesized to be related to intestinal inflammatory responses. The results showed that oral administration of GGGM resulted in compromises on growth performance, an increase of the relative weight of spleen and epididymal fat, and an elevation of the α1-acid glycoprotein content in both serum and livers of mice. With regard to energy metabolism-related indices, the activities of intestinal lactic dehydrogenase and succinic dehydrogenase were all increased by the GGGM treatment in both in vivo and in vitro experiments, the latter of which also showed an elevation in the consumption of reducing sugar by intestinal epithelial cells along with a reduced viability of these cells in response to the GGGM treatment. Notably, the GGGM treatment triggered intestinal inflammatory responses that were evidenced by the increased expression of intestinal inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IL-6 both in vivo and in vitro, which were at least partially responsible for the increased energy expenditure in the intestine and the retardation of growth. The results of this study could expand our knowledge of GGGM administration and provide integrated insights into the consumption of GGGM-containing foods.

The Advantages of Connectivity Map Applied in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Amid the establishment and optimization of Connectivity Map (CMAP), the functional relationships among drugs, genes, and diseases are further explored. This biological database has been widely used to identify drugs with common mechanisms, repurpose existing drugs, discover the molecular mechanisms of unknown drugs, and find potential drugs for some diseases. Research on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has entered a new era in the wake of the development of bioinformatics and other subjects including network pharmacology, proteomics, metabolomics, herbgenomics, and so on. TCM gradually conforms to modern science, but there is still a torrent of limitations. In recent years, CMAP has shown its distinct advantages in the study of the components of TCM and the synergetic mechanism of TCM formulas; hence, the combination of them is inevitable.

Pharmacological Properties of a Traditional Korean Formula Bojungchiseup-tang on 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes and High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Mouse Model

The global obesity epidemic has nearly doubled since 1980, and this increasing prevalence is threatening public health. It has been reported that natural products could contain potential functional ingredients that may assist in preventing obesity. Bojungchiseub-tang (BJT), mentioned in the Donguibogam as an herbal medication for the treatment of edema, a symptom of obesity, consists of eleven medicinal herbs. However, the pharmacological activity of BJT has not been investigated. The present study was designed to investigate the putative effect of BJT on the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells and the weight gain of high-fat diet (HFD-) fed C57BL/6 mice. Oil Red O staining was conducted to examine the amount of lipids in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into three groups: standard diet group (control, CON), 45% HFD group (HFD), and HFD supplemented with 10% of BJT (BJT). The expression levels of genes and proteins related to adipogenesis in cells, WAT, and liver were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot, respectively. We found that BJT treatment significantly decreased the protein and mRNA levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) in a dose-dependent manner in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. Similar to the results of the in vitro experiment, BJT suppressed HFD-induced weight gain in an obese mouse model. In addition, BJT effectively reduced the HFD-induced epididymal adipose tissue weight/body weight index. BJT also downregulated the mRNA levels of PPARγ, C/EBPα, and SREBP1 in the epididymal adipose and liver tissue of HFD-fed obese mice. These findings suggest that BJT induces weight loss by affecting adipogenic transcription factors.

Anti-Obesity Effect of Dictyophora indusiata Mushroom Polysaccharide (DIP) in High Fat Diet-Induced Obesity via Regulating Inflammatory Cascades and Intestinal Microbiome

Obesity is a multifactorial metabolic disorder characterized by low-grade chronic inflammation, hyper-permeability of the gut epithelium, and perturbation of the intestinal microbiome. Despite the numerous therapeutic efficacies of Dictyophora indusiata mushroom, its biological activity in alleviating obesity through regulation of the gut microbiota and inflammatory cascades remain obscure. Henceforth, we determined the modulatory impact of D. indusiata polysaccharide (DIP) in the high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mice model. The experimental subjects (BALB/C mice) were supplemented with chow diet (Control group), high-fat diet (HFD group), or HFD along with DIP at a low dose [HFD + DIP(L)] and high dose [HFD + DIP(H)]. Obesity-related parameters, including body weight gain, epididymal adipocyte size, fat accumulation, adipogenic markers, lipogenic markers, inflammatory associated markers, intestinal integrity, and intestinal microbiome, were elucidated. Our findings demonstrated that the oral administration of DIP at low dose partially and at high dose significantly reversed HFD-induced obesity parameters. Furthermore, the body weight, fat accumulation, adipocyte size, adipogenic and liver associated markers, glucose levels, inflammatory cytokines, and endotoxin (Lipopolysaccharide, LPS) levels were reduced considerably. Moreover, the study revealed that DIP treatment reversed the dynamic alterations of the gut microbiome community by decreasing the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio. These findings led us to infer the therapeutic potential of DIP in alleviating HFD-induced obesity via regulating inflammatory cascades, modulating intestinal integrity and intestinal microbiome community.

Effects and mechanisms of edible and medicinal plants on obesity: an updated review

In recent years, obesity has become a global public health issue. It is closely associated with the occurrence of several chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Some edible and medicinal plants show anti-obesity activity, such as fruits, vegetables, spices, legumes, edible flowers, mushrooms, and medicinal plants. Numerous studies have indicated that these plants are potential candidates for the prevention and management of obesity. The major anti-obesity mechanisms of plants include suppressing appetite, reducing the absorption of lipids and carbohydrates, inhibiting adipogenesis and lipogenesis, regulating lipid metabolism, increasing energy expenditure, regulating gut microbiota, and improving obesity-related inflammation. In this review, the anti-obesity activity of edible and medicinal plants was summarized based on epidemiological, experimental, and clinical studies, with related mechanisms discussed, which provided the basis for the research and development of slimming products. Further studies should focus on the exploration of safer plants with anti-obesity activity and the identification of specific anti-obesity mechanisms.

Evaluation of the hepatoprotective effect of Yigan mingmu oral liquid against acute alcohol-induced liver injury in rats

Background

Yigan mingmu oral liquid (YGMM) is a herbal medicine based on a famous Chinese herbal formula that has been used for sore eyes for more than 400 years. Eye health is closely associated with the liver based on TCM. This study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of YGMM against acute liver injury induced by alcohol in rats.

Methods

Experimental rats were administered with silymarin and YGMM through the gastric gavage during the entire experiment. Starting from the 11th day, the rats were administered orally with 14 ml/kg Red Star Erguotou Liquor, a popular brand, at 4 h after the dose of silymarin (100 mg/kg) and YGMM (1, 2.5 and 5 ml/kg in low, middle and high dosage group, respectively) once a day for 4 weeks except for the rats in the normal group. Biochemical parameters, including ALT, AST, TB, TG, T-SOD, GSH, and MDA were detected to evaluate the protective effect of YGMM. Pathological changes were observed through histopathological examination.

Results

Treatment with YGMM exhibited a significant protective effect by reversing the biochemical parameters (ALT, AST, TB, TG, and GSH) and histopathological changes. Histopathological examination by Oil Red O Staining Solution showed that lipid droplets were significantly reduced in the silymarin and YGMM groups (p < 0.001) when compared to alcohol group.

Conclusions

YGMM exhibits a significant hepatoprotective activity against acute liver injury induced by alcohol in rats.

Understanding the Role of the Gut Microbiome and Microbial Metabolites in Obesity and Obesity-Associated Metabolic Disorders: Current Evidence and Perspectives

PURPOSE

In this review, we summarize current evidence on the gut microbiome and microbial metabolites in relation to obesity and obesity-associated metabolic disorders. Special emphasis is given on mechanisms interconnecting gut microbiome and microbial metabolites with metabolic disorders as well as on potential preventive and therapeutic perspectives with a "bench to bedside" approach.

RECENT FINDINGS

Recent data have highlighted the role of gut dysbiosis in the etiology and pathogenesis of metabolic disorders, including obesity, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Overall, most studies have demonstrated a reduction in gut microbiome diversity and richness in obese subjects, but there is still much debate on the exact microbial signature of a healthy or an obese gut microbiome. Despite the controversial role of an altered gut microbiome as a cause or consequence of obesity in human studies, numerous animal studies and certain human studies suggest beneficial metabolic effects of certain microbial intestinal metabolites, such as butyrate, that could be used in the prevention and treatment of obesity and its comorbidities. More randomized controlled trials and larger prospective studies including well-defined cohorts as well as a multi-omics approach are warranted to better identify the associations between the gut microbiome, microbial metabolites, and obesity and its metabolic complications.

Monosodium L-glutamate and fats change free fatty acid concentrations in intestinal contents and affect free fatty acid receptors express profile in growing pigs

BACKGROUND

Obesity and its related metabolic syndrome continue to be major public health problems. Monosodium L-glutamate (MSG) may cause metabolic diseases such as obesity. Meanwhile, the Chinese population has undergone rapid transition to a high-fat diet. There is little information available on the effect of MSG and fat alone, or in combination, on free fatty acids (FFAs), lipid metabolism and FFA receptors.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of MSG and fat alone, or in combination, on intestinal luminal FFAs and expression of gastrointestinal FFA receptors. The aim was also to test whether dietary fat and/or MSG could affect expression of genes related to fatty acid metabolism.

DESIGN

A total of 32 growing pigs were used and fed with four iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric diets. Pigs in the four treatments received diets with one of two fat concentrations levels (4.4 and 9.4%) and one of two MSG dose levels (0 and 3%), in which most of the fat were brought by soybean oil. The concentration of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in cecum and colon, long chain fatty acids (LCFAs) in ileum, cecum and colon, and FFAs receptors expression in hypothalamus and gastrointestinal tract were determined.

RESULTS

MSG and/or fat changed intestinal luminal SCFAs, levels of LCFAs, and showed an antagonistic effect on most of LCFAs. Simultaneously, MSG and/or fat decreased the expression of FFA receptors in hypothalamus and gastrointestinal tract. MSG and/or fat promoted fat deposition through different ways in back fat.

CONCLUSION

Our results support that MSG and/or fat can alter intestinal luminal FFAs composition and concentration, especially LCFAs, in addition, the expression of FFA receptors in ileum and hypothalamus could be decreased. Moreover, MSG and/or fat can promote protein deposition in back fat, and affect the distribution and metabolism of fatty acids in the body tissues and the body's ability to perceive fatty acids; these results provide a reference for the occurrence of fat deposition and obesity caused by high-fat and monosodium glutamate diet.

Antioxidation, hepatic- and renal-protection of water-extractable polysaccharides by Dictyophora indusiata on obese mice

The present work aimed to investigate the antioxidation, hepatic- and renal-protection of water-extractable polysaccharides (WPS) by Dictyophora indusiata fruiting body on high-fat emulsion-induced obese mice. The structural analysis indicated that WPS was the α-configurational heteropolysaccharide with the major monosaccharides of mannose and glucose, and the polydispersity of 1.77. The in vivo results showed that WPS administration could improve obesity-associated hepatic and renal metabolic impairment, reduce body weight and ameliorate oxidative stress of liver and kidney by down-regulating serum enzyme activities and hepatic lipid levels, stabilizing serum lipid status, enhancing antioxidant abilities and decreasing insulin and leptin resistance. The in vitro experiments showed that WPS had potential abilities to scavenge free radicals. The conclusions demonstrated that WPS might be used as a salutary food and natural medicine for preventing obesity-associated damage and its complications.

Beneficial Effect of Intestinal Fermentation of Natural Polysaccharides

With the rapid development of modern society, many chronic diseases are increasing including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, etc., which further cause an increased death rate worldwide. A high caloric diet with reduced natural polysaccharides, typically indigestible polysaccharides, is considered a health risk factor. With solid evidence accumulating that indigestible polysaccharides can effectively prevent and/or ameliorate symptoms of many chronic diseases, we give a narrative review of many natural polysaccharides extracted from various food resources which mainly contribute their health beneficial functions via intestinal fermentation.

Recent advances in polysaccharides from Ophiopogon japonicus and Liriope spicata var. prolifera

O. japonicus and L. spicata var. prolifera are distinguished as sources of highly promising yin-tonifying medicinals, namely Ophiopogonis Radix and Liriopes Radix. Liriopes Radix is generally medicinally used as a substitute for Ophiopogonis Radix in various prescriptions due to their extremely similar nature. Ophiopogonis Radix and Liriopes Radix are both very rich in bioactive polysaccharides, especially β‑fructans. Over the past twelve years, except for work on physical entrapment and chemical modification of obtained β‑fructans, the vast majority of studies are carried out to investigate the bioactivities of O. japonicus polysaccharides (OJP) and L. spicata var. prolifera polysaccharides (LSP), mainly including anti-diabetes, immunomodulation, anti-inflammation, antioxidation, anti-obesity, cardiovascular protection, etc. In addition, OJP and LSP are considered to have the potential to regulate intestinal flora. The main purpose of this review is to provide systematically reorganized information on structural characteristics and bioactivities of OJP and LSP to support their further therapeutic potentials and sanitarian functions.

Novel steroidal saponins with cytotoxic activities from the roots of Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker-Gawl

Novel cytotoxic steroidal saponins from the roots of Ophiopogon japonicus (L. f.) Ker-Gawl.

Inonotus obliquus polysaccharide regulates gut microbiota of chronic pancreatitis in mice

Polysaccharide is efficient in attenuation of metabolic ailments and modulation of gut microbiota as prebiotics. The therapeutic effect of Inonotus obliquus polysaccharide (IOP) on chronic pancreatitis (CP) in mice has been validated in our previous study. However, it is not clear whether IOP is conducive to maintaining the homeostasis between gut microbiota and host. The aim of this study is to testify the potential effects of IOP on gut microbiota composition and diversity in mice with CP. The changes in glutathione peroxidase (GSH-P_X), total antioxidant capacity (TAOC), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), lipase and trypsin levels were measured by commercial assay kits, meanwhile the gut microbiota composition and diversity were analyzed by high throughput sequencing. The IOP treatment increased GSH-P_X and TAOC levels, and decreased TNF-α, TGF-β, lipase and trypsin levels in CP mice. It was also observed that gut microbiota in IOP treated groups were less diverse than others in terms of lower Shannon diversity index and Chao 1 estimator. IOP increased the proportion of Bacteroidetes and decreased that of Firmicutes at phylum level. Bacteroidetes was found positively correlated with GSH-P_X and TAOC, and Firmicutes correlated with TNF-α, TGF-β, and lipase. In conclusion, administration of IOP could regulate gut microbiota composition and diversity to a healthy profile in mice with CP, and some bacterial phylum significantly correlated with characteristic parameters.

MDG-1, a Potential Regulator of PPARα and PPARγ, Ameliorates Dyslipidemia in Mice

Hyperlipidemia is a serious epidemic disease caused by lipid metabolism disorder, which is harmful to human health. MDG-1, a β-d-fructan polysaccharide extracted from Ophiopogon japonicus, has been shown to improve abnormal blood lipid levels and alleviate diabetes. However, the underlying mechanism on hyperlipidemia is largely unknown. In this study, male C57BL/6 mice were randomly separated into three groups, respectively: low-fat diet (Con), high-fat diet (HFD), and high-fat diet plus 5‰ MDG-1 (HFD + MDG-1). Body weight was measured and the serum lipid levels were analyzed. Using gene microarray, various core pathways, together with levels of gene expression within hepatocytes, were analyzed. RT-PCR was used to confirm the identity of the differentially expressed genes. MDG-1 could prevent obesity in HFD-induced mice and improve abnormal serum lipids. Besides, MDG-1 could regulate hyperlipidemia symptoms, specifically, and decrease fasting blood glucose, improve glucose tolerance, and ameliorate insulin resistance. According to results from gene microarray, most of the identified pathways were involved in the digestion and absorption of fat, biosynthesis, and catabolism of fatty acids as well as the secretion and biological synthesis of bile acids. Furthermore, MDG-1 may act upon peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) α and γ, activating PPARα whilst inhibiting PPARγ, thus having a potent hypolipidemic effect.

De novo assembly and annotation of the Zhe-Maidong (Ophiopogon japonicus (L.f.) Ker-Gawl) transcriptome in different growth stages

Zhe-Maidong (Ophiopogon japonicus (L.f.) Ker-Gawl) is a traditional medicinal herb in the family Liliaceae that has significant pharmacological effects on immunity and cardiovascular disease. In this study, three different growth stages of Zhe-Maidong were investigated using RNA-seq, and a total of 16.4 Gb of raw data was obtained. After filtering and assembling, 96,738 unigenes with an average length of 605.3 bp were ultimately generated. A total of 77,300 unigenes were annotated using information from five databases, including the NT, NR, SwissProt, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) databases. Additionally, the mechanisms of flavonoid, saponin and polysaccharide biosynthesis and of accumulation at different stages of tuber development were also characterized. From the first to third years, the contents of flavonoids, saponins and polysaccharides all increased, whereas the expression levels of related genes decreased in the flavonoid and saponin pathways and first increased and then decreased in the polysaccharide pathway. The results of this study provide the most comprehensive expressed sequence resource for Zhe-Maidong and will expand the available O. japonicus gene library and facilitate further genome-wide research and analyses of this species.

Hydrophobic mixed solvent induced PLGA-based in situ forming systems for smooth long-lasting delivery of Radix Ophiopogonis polysaccharide in rats

To obtain a sustained in vivo release of Radix Ophiopogonis polysaccharide, hydrophobic solvent-induced in situ forming systems were investigated, including the factors affecting drug release and anti-myocardial ischemic activity of a formulation.

Isolated exopolysaccharides from Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG alleviated adipogenesis mediated by TLR2 in mice

The fibroblast cell line of 3T3-L1 was used as a cell model for screening and evaluating the feasibility of probiotic components in improving animal lipid metabolisms. The extracts from 12 Lactobacillus strains caused significantly reduced triacylglycerol (TAG) accumulation but with severe inflammation induction in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Interestingly, exopolysaccharides (EPS) from LGG (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG) significantly decreased the TAG accumulation without any inflammation. The anti-obesity effect of EPS was confirmed in high-fat-diets feeding mice. Fat pads of mice injected with EPS (50 mg/kg) every two days for two weeks were significantly reduced with much smaller adipocytes, compared with the counterparts. The levels of TAG and cholesterol ester in liver, as well as serum TAG, were decreased in EPS injected mice. In addition, down-regulated inflammation was observed in adipose tissue and liver. Interestingly, the expression of TLR2 in adipose tissue and 3T3-L1 cells was significantly increased by EPS addition. Moreover, the reverse of TAG accumulation in TLR2 knockdown 3T3-L1 in the presence of EPS confirmed that the inhibition effect of EPS on adipogenesis was mediated by TLR2. EPS from LGG has the potential for therapeutic development to intervene lipid metabolic disorders in mammals.

MDG-1, an Ophiopogon polysaccharide, alleviates hyperlipidemia in mice based on metabolic profile of bile acids

Hyperlipidemia is a chronic metabolic disorder with systemic complications that is prevalent worldwide. MDG-1, a water-soluble β-d-fructan polysaccharide from Ophiopogon japonicas has potent hypolipidemic and weight-control effects. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of MDG-1 on lipid metabolic disorders in diet-induced obese mice based on the metabolic profile of bile acids. C57BL/6 mice were treated with a low-fat diet, high-fat diet or high fat mixed with 1‰ (w/w) MDG-1 diet for 12 weeks. The results showed that MDG-1 inhibited body weight gain and lowered serum and liver total cholesterol contents in obese mice. In addition, MDG-1 could adsorb bile acids in the gut lumen and reduce their reabsorption, thus promoting cholesterol catabolism. Furthermore, MDG-1 inhibited the expression of the farnesoid X receptor, but activated the liver X receptor. Our findings shed new light on the mechanism of MDG-1 in the control of lipids.

Ophiopogon japonicus--A phytochemical, ethnomedicinal and pharmacological review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Ophiopogonis Radix (Maidong in Chinese), the root of Ophiopogon japonicus, is widely used in local medicines of China, Japan and some south-eastern Asian countries. According to the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) principle, Ophiopogonis Radix nourishes the yin, promotes body fluid production, moistens the lung, eases the mind and clears away heart fire. This review summarizes the achievements of the investigations in botany, phytochemistry, quality control, traditional uses, pharmacological activities and clinical studies on O. japonicus; this review also describes the shortcomings of studies on this herbal drug and thus serves as the basis of further scientific research and development of this traditional herbal drug.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

O. japonicus-related information was collected from various resources, including books on Chinese herbs and the Internet databases, such as Google Scholar, SciFinder, Web of Science, Elsevier, ACS, PubMed and China Knowledge Resource Integrated (CNKI).

RESULTS

O. japonicus is widely distributed in East Asia, especially in China. Numerous compounds were identified from this plant. The main components of O. japonicus include steroidal saponins, homoisoflavonoids and polysaccharides, which exhibited various pharmacological activities, such as cardiovascular protection, anti-inflammation, anticancer, anti-oxidation, immunomodulation, cough relief, antimicrobial, and anti-diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

O. japonicus is a common traditional Chinese herbal drug used as the main ingredient in many prescriptions. Modern researches verified that O. japonicus can be used either as a healthy food or a therapeutic agent for disease prevention and treatment. The molecular mechanisms and chemical principles of this herbal medicine should be further explored.

Protective Effects of MDG-1, a Polysaccharide from Ophiopogon japonicus on Diabetic Nephropathy in Diabetic KKAy Mice

Ophiopogon japonicus is a traditional Chinese medicine that might be effective for treating type 2 diabetes. Recent research confirmed that MDG-1, a polysaccharide from O. japonicas, activates the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and improves insulin sensitivity in a diabetic KKA^y mouse model, but little is known about its effects on diabetic nephropathy. In this study, KKA^y mice were orally administered distilled water (control group), MDG-1, or rosiglitazone for 12 weeks. Blood glucose levels were tested every two weeks for the fed mice. At 6 and 12 weeks, blood samples were collected for biochemical examination. At the end of the experiment, all kidney tissues were collected for histological examination and western blot analysis. Results show that MDG-1 (300 mg/kg) significantly decreased the levels of blood glucose, triglycerides, blood urine nitrogen and albumin, and significantly inhibited the expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 and connective tissue growth factor. Moreover, MDG-1 could alleviate glomerular mesangial expansion and tubulointerstitial fibrosis in the diabetic mice, as confirmed by histopathological examination. These data indicated that MDG-1 ameliorates renal disease in diabetic mice by reducing hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperlipidemia, and by inhibiting intracellular signaling pathways.

MDG-1, an Ophiopogon polysaccharide, regulate gut microbiota in high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6 mice

Most plant polysaccharides cannot be digested and utilized by host enzymes, and must be subjected to microbial fermentation before being assimilated by the host. MDG-1, a water-soluble β-d-fructan extracted from the roots of Ophiopogon japonicus, has potent anti-obesity and hypoglycemic effects. Interestingly, we found that MDG-1 is hardly absorbed into the blood. We presumed that MDG-1 might exhibit its potent efficacy via regulating the gut microbiota of the host. However, the overall microbiota structure variation of obese mice treated with MDG-1 and the direct metabolic consequences of MDG-1 on specific microbiota phyla remain poorly understood. Here, obese male C57BL/6 mice induced by a high-fat diet were given either vehicle or MDG-1 at a dose of 300mg/kg for 12 weeks and the overall fecal gut microbiota structure change was analyzed via pyrosequencing. On this basis, we further separated and identified the dominant bacteria of the feces from the MDG-1 treated mice. These bacteria were then cultured with MDG-1 in vitro and their metabolic profiles were analyzed via a metabonomic approach. The results showed that MDG-1 could decrease the ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes, adjust the abnormal gut microbiota to the normal state and alter their metabolic profiles. In addition, we identified that the indigestible MDG-1 could be degraded and utilized by gut microbiota that could, in turn, be assimilated and used by the host, where it exerted weight loss effects, energy metabolism promotion and boosted the immune system effectiveness.

Nutritional Composition,α-Glucosidase Inhibitory and Antioxidant Activities ofOphiopogon japonicusTubers

Ophiopogon japonicustubers have been widely used as food and traditional Chinese medicine in China. However, their nutritional composition has not been fully reported yet. This study aimed to analyze the nutritional composition ofO. japonicustubers. Theα-glucosidase inhibitory and antioxidant activities of the extracts obtained fromO. japonicustubers were also evaluated byin vitroassays. The results indicated thatO. japonicustubers are rich in carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, and amino acids. Among four extracts, the n-butanol fraction (nBF) and chloroform/methanol extract (CME) ofO. japonicustubers had high amounts of total phenolic and flavonoid contents and exhibited goodα-glucosidase inhibitory and antioxidant activities. Theα-glucosidase inhibition of nBF was higher than acarbose. Overall,O. japonicustubers are full of nutritional compounds and have goodα-glucosidase inhibitory and antioxidant activities.