Effects of three Chinese herbal medicines on plasma and liver lipids in mice fed a high-fat diet

Targeted bile acid profiles reveal the liver injury amelioration of Da-Chai-Hu decoction against ANIT- and BDL-induced cholestasis

Multiple types of liver diseases, particularly cholestatic liver diseases (CSLDs) and biliary diseases, can disturb bile acid (BA) secretion; however, BA accumulation is currently seen as an important incentive of various types of liver diseases’ progression. Da-Chai-Hu decoction (DCHD) has long been used for treating cholestatic liver diseases; however, the exact mechanisms remain unclear. Currently, our study indicates that the liver damage and cholestasis status of the α-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced intrahepatic cholestasis and bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced extrahepatic cholestasis, following DCHD treatment, were improved; the changes of BA metabolism post-DCHD treatment were investigated by targeted metabolomics profiling by UPLC-MS/MS. DCHD treatment severely downregulated serum biochemical levels and relieved inflammation and the corresponding pathological changes including necrosis, inflammatory infiltration, ductular proliferation, and periductal fibrosis in liver tissue. The experimental results suggested that DCHD treatment altered the size, composition, and distribution of the BAs pool, led the BAs pool of the serum and liver to sharply shrink, especially TCA and TMCA, and enhanced BA secretion into the gallbladder and the excretion of BAs by the urinary and fecal pathway; the levels of BAs synthesized by the alternative pathway were increased in the liver, and the conjugation of BAs and the pathway of BA synthesis were actually affected. In conclusion, DCHD ameliorated ANIT- and BDL-induced cholestatic liver injury by reversing the disorder of BAs profile.

The Biological Effects of Forsythia Leaves Containing the Cyclic AMP Phosphodiesterase 4 Inhibitor Phillyrin

Forsythia fruit (Forsythia suspensa Vahl (Oleaceae)) is a common component of Kampo medicines for treating the common cold, influenza, and allergies. The main polyphenolic compounds in the leaves of F. suspensa are pinoresinol β-d-glucoside, phillyrin and forsythiaside, and their levels are higher in the leaves of the plant than in the fruit. It is known that polyphenolic compounds stimulate lipid catabolism in the liver and suppress dyslipidemia, thereby attenuating diet-induced obesity and polyphenolic anti-oxidants might attenuate obesity in animals consuming high-fat diets. Recently, phillyrin was reported as a novel cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) inhibitor derived from forsythia fruit. It was expected that the leaves of F. suspensa might display anti-obesity effects and serve as a health food material. In this review, we summarized our studies on the biological effects of forsythia leaves containing phillyrin and other polyphenolic compounds, particularly against obesity, atopic dermatitis, and influenza A virus infection, and its potential as a phytoestrogen.

Anti-hyperlipidemic potential of natural product based labdane-pyrroles via inhibition of cholesterol and triglycerides synthesis

Hyperlipidemia is the clinical condition where blood has an increased level of lipids, such as cholesterol and triglycerides. Therefore controlling hyperlipidemia is considered to be a protective strategy to treat many associated diseases. Thus, a novel natural product derived pyrrole, and pyrazole-(E)-Labda-8(17),12-diene-15,16-dial conjugates with cholesterol and triglycerides synthesis inhibition potential was designed through scaffold hopping approach and synthesized via one-pot selective cycloaddition. Amongst the tested hybrids, 3i exhibited excellent activity against triglyceride and cholesterol synthesis with the percentage inhibition of 71.73 ± 0.78 and 68.61 ± 1.19, which is comparable to the positive controls fenofibrate and atorvastatin, respectively. Compounds 3j and 3k also exhibited the considerable potential of promising leads. The HMG CoA reductase inhibitory activity of the compounds was consistent with that of inhibitory activity of cholesterol synthesis. Compound 3i showed the highest inhibitory potential (78.61 ± 2.80) percentage of suppression, which was comparable to that of the positive control pravastatin (78.05 ± 5.4). Favourably, none of the compounds showed cytotoxicity (HepG2) in the concentration ranging from 0.5 to 100 μM.

Increase of Akkermansia muciniphila by a Diet Containing Japanese Traditional Medicine Bofutsushosan in a Mouse Model of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered a worldwide healthcare problem that mirrors the increased prevalence of obesity. Gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the progression and treatment of NAFLD. Bofutsushosan (BTS), a pharmaceutical-grade Japanese traditional medicine, has long been prescribed in Japan for obesity and obesity-related syndrome. Although BTS has been reported to exert an anti-obesity effect in obese patients as well as various obesity-model animals, its effect on gut microbiota is unknown. Here, the effects of BTS on obesity, liver damage, and the gut microbiome in genetically obese mice, ob/ob, were studied. Seven-week-old ob/ob mice were fed a standard diet with (BTS group) or without (CONT group) 5% BTS for 4 weeks. By comparison to the CONT group, the BTS group showed reduced body weight gain and hyperlipidemia as well as improved liver function. Moreover, gut microbiota in the CONT and BTS group formed a significantly different cluster. Specifically, the genera Akkermansia, Bacteroides and an unknown genus of the family Enterobacteriaceae expanded dramatically in the BTS group. Noteworthy, the population of Akkermansia muciniphila, which is reported to elicit an anti-obesity effect and improve various metabolic abnormalities, was markedly increased (93-fold) compared with the CONT group. These results imply that BTS may be a promising agent for treating NAFLD.

New insights into potential nutritional effects of dietary saponins in protecting against the development of obesity

Excessive energy intake, poor physical exercise and genetics/epigenetics are instrumental for the development of obesity. Because of rapidly emerging evidences related to off-target effects and toxicity of anti-obesity drugs, there is a need to search for more effective and targeted drugs for treatment of obesity. Substantial studies have found the nutritional effects of dietary saponins (bio-detergents) in terms of decreasing the synthesis of lipids, suppressing adipogenesis, inhibiting intestinal absorption of lipids, and promoting fecal excretion of bile acids and triglycerides. Dietary saponin have been approved as potent pancreatic lipase inhibitors, disaccharidase enzyme inhibitors, antagonistic to in vitro lipogenesis and in vivo appetite suppressants, antioxidants, immune-regulators, prevent fatty liver formation, protects epithelial vasculature and regulate body weight. Many dietary saponins, such as sibutramine, morgoside, sessiloside, soysaponin B, and diosgenin, have treatment potential against the development of obesity. Excellent scientific achievements have been developed for a better understanding the mechanism of saponins in preventing obesity.

Elucidation of the Metabolic and Transcriptional Responses of an Oriental Herbal Medicine, Bangpungtongseong-san, to Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Bangpungtongseong-san (BT), an oriental herbal medicine, is used to treat obesity in Korea and East Asia and its antiobesity effects have been examined by several researchers. However, the molecular mechanisms of the antihepatic steatosis effects of BT are unclear. In this study, we examined the effects of BT on obesity, particularly nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, by analyzing metabolic and transcriptional responses using mRNA-sequencing profiles. C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) or HFD + BT (1.5%, w/w, BT) for 12 weeks. Phenotype characteristics were estimated, and the antiobesity mechanism was examined using mRNA sequencing transcriptomic profiles in HFD-induced obese mice. BT treatment ameliorated dyslipidemia and hepatic steatosis in HFD-induced obese mice and reduced body weight gain. The levels of hepatic lipotoxicity markers were significantly decreased, while hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities were augmented by BT compared with in the HFD group. BT attenuated HFD-induced fatty liver through transcriptional changes in the liver. BT treatment downregulated mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation-related genes in the liver, suggesting improved mitochondrial function. BT treatment also decreased the hepatic fibrosis-related transcriptome. Our findings provide insight into the antiobesity effects of BT, an alternative oriental medicine, for treating obesity-related conditions. Metabolic and transcriptional responses to diet-induced obesity with BT treatment improved liver function.

Identification of baicalin from Bofutsushosan and Daisaikoto as a potent inducer of glucose uptake and modulator of insulin signaling-associated pathways

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease characterized by hyperglycemia that can lead to long-term complications including heart diseases, stroke, retinopathy, and renal failure. Treatment strategies include stimulating glucose uptake and controlling blood glucose level. Bofutsushosan (BOF) and Daisaikoto (DAI) are two herb-based kampo medicines that have been demonstrated to improve metabolism-associated disorders including obesity, hyperlipidemia, and nonalcoholic fatty liver. Given their bioactivities against metabolic syndromes, we explored in this study the effect of BOF and DAI extracts on glucose absorption and used them as source to identify phytochemical stimulator of glucose absorption. Glucose uptake and mechanistic studies were evaluated in differentiated C2C12 skeletal muscle cells, and HPLC analysis was used to determine the molecular bioactive constituents. Our results indicated that the ethanolic extracts of BOF and DAI (BOFEE and DAIEE, respectively) enhanced the glucose uptake ratio in the differentiated C2C12 cells, and further analysis identified the flavone baicalin as a major constituent capable of efficiently stimulating glucose absorption. Mechanistic studies revealed that the effect from baicalin involved the activation of IRS-1 and GLUT-4, and implicated the AMPK, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK/ERK signaling cascades. Due to its potency, we suggest that baicalin merit further evaluation as a potential candidate anti-hyperglycemic agent for the treatment and management of T2DM.

A Component Formula of Chinese Medicine for Hypercholesterolemia Based on Virtual Screening and Biology Network

Hypercholesterolemia is a risk factor to atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease II. The abnormal rise of cholesterol in plasma is the main symptom. Cholesterol synthesis pathway is an important pathway of the origin of cholesterol, which is an essential pathway for the therapy of hypercholesterolemia. The 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase), squalene synthase (SQS), and sterol regulatory element binding protein-2 (SREBP-2) are closely connected with the synthesis of cholesterol. The inhibition of these targets can reduce the cholesterol in plasma. This study aimed to build a component formula including three Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) components with the inhibition activity of these targets by using virtual screening and biological network. Structure-based pharmacophore models of HMG-CoA reductase and SQS and ligand-based pharmacophore model of SREBP-2 were constructed to screen the Traditional Chinese Medicine Database (TCMD). Molecular docking was used for further screening of components of HMG-CoA reductase and SQS. Then, metabolic network was constructed to elucidate the comprehensive interaction of three targets for lipid metabolism. Finally, three potential active compounds were obtained, which are poncimarin, hexahydrocurcumin, and forsythoside C. The source plants of the compounds were also taken into account, which should have known action of lowering hyperlipidemia. The lipid-lowering effect of hexahydrocurcumin was verified by experiment in vitro. The components that originated from TCMs with lipid-lowering efficacy made up a formula with a synergistic effect through the computer aid drug design methods. The research provides a fast and efficient method to build TCM component formula and it may inspire the study of the explanation of TCM formula mechanism.

Bofutsushosan ameliorates obesity in mice through modulating PGC-1α expression in brown adipose tissues and inhibiting inflammation in white adipose tissues

The inducible co-activator PGC-1α plays a crucial role in adaptive thermogenesis and increases energy expenditure in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Meanwhile, chronic inflammation caused by infiltrated-macrophage in the white adipose tissue (WAT) is a target for the treatment of obesity. Bofutsushosan (BF), a traditional Chinese medicine composed of 17 crude drugs, has been widely used to treat obesity in China, Japan, and other Asia countries. However, the mechanism underlying anti-obesity remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we demonstrated that BF oral administration reduced the body weight of obese mice induced by high-fat diet (HFD) and alleviated the level of biochemical markers (P < 0.05), including blood glucose (Glu), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C) and insulin. Our further results also indicated that oral BF administration increased the expression of PGC-1α and UCP1 in BAT. Moreover, BF also reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokines in WAT, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). These findings suggested that the mechanism of BF against obesity was at least partially through increasing gene expression of PGC-1α and UCP1 for energy consumption in BAT and inhibiting inflammation in WAT.

Induced overexpression of CD44 associated with resistance to apoptosis on DNA damage response in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells

CD44 is a marker of cancer stem cells in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and CD44 expression is related to prognosis in cancer patients. We examined whether herbal medicine components affect CD44 expression and induce cancer cell apoptosis. Baicalin enhanced apoptosis with no effect on CD44 levels, while baicalein did not enhance apoptosis and upregulated CD44 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Furthermore, baicalein induced phosphorylation of CHK1, as a marker of DNA damage response to S-to-G2/M phase arrest. Our results clearly demonstrated that baicalein enhanced expression of CD44 and accordingly enhanced the DNA damage response. These data suggest that induction of CD44 inhibited cancer cell induction of apoptosis by increasing the DNA damage response. Together, our findings suggest that CD44 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma plays a role in enhancing the DNA damage response.

4-Hydroxyisoleucine from Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum): Effects on Insulin Resistance Associated with Obesity

Obesity and insulin resistance (IR) are interdependent multifactorial processes that cannot be understood separately. Obesity leads to systemic inflammation and increased levels of free fatty acids that provoke IR and lipotoxicity. At the same time, IR exacerbates adipose cell dysfunction, resulting in chronic inflammation and major lipotoxic effects on nonadipose tissues. 4-Hydroxyisoleucine (4-OHIle), a peculiar nonprotein amino acid isolated from fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds, exhibits interesting effects on IR related to obesity. 4-OHIle increases glucose-induced insulin release, and the insulin response mediated by 4-OHIle depends on glucose concentration. The beneficial effects observed are related to the regulation of blood glucose, plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, free fatty acid levels, and the improvement of liver function. The mechanism of action is related to increased Akt phosphorylation and reduced activation of Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)1/2, extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and nuclear factor (NF)-κB. Here, we present a review of the research regarding the insulinotropic and insulin-sensitising activity of 4-OHIle in in vitro and in vivo models.

Actinidia arguta supplementation protects aorta and liver in rats with induced hypercholesterolemia

There are no published results focusing on the study of hardy kiwifruit as a supplementation to the atherogenic diet. We hypothesized that hardy kiwifruit (Actinidia arguta (A. arguta)) from Poland possess better pro-healthy action than two Asian varieties (Hayward and Bidan). We tested this hypothesis by measuring the metabolic reactions of rats loaded with 1% cholesterol and supplemented with 5% of hardy kiwifruit (A. arguta), Hayward, or Bidan in their diets. The experiment was performed on 71 male Wistar rats. Cholesterol showed a significant impact on the rise of liver somatic index, while lipid profile improved by decreasing the levels of TC, LDL-C, TC/HDL-C, AI, TG, and increasing HDL-C in the serum of rats (P<.05). Total plasma antioxidant capacity determined by ABTS, FRAP, and DPPH assays was increased. ALP in rat serum was higher in groups receiving cholesterol diets and kiwifruit. A decrease in fibrinogen as well as prolonged prothrombin time and a reduction of the MPO in serum were estimated. The smallest percentage of lesions in the aortic arch was in the ChGeneva, ChWeiki, and ChAnna. Similarly, the smallest fatty liver disease was recorded in the ChGeneva and ChAnna groups. The distribution of lipids in the liver from these groups had a character of "mosaic," in hardy/mini kiwifruit (Jumbo), Hayward, and Bidan was distributed uniformly. The longest villi were in ChWeiki, and significantly lower in ChHayward and ChBidan. The present results support our hypothesis that A. arguta showed better pro-health impacts in rats loaded with cholesterol than Hayward and Bidan kiwifruit, and, for the first time, the positive nutritional effects of supplemented A. arguta for hypercholesterolemia are noted.

Anti-obesity effects of Taif and Egyptian pomegranates: molecular study

The present study investigated the anti-obesity effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum) juices from the two Saudi Arabian, Taif red, Taif white, and Egyptian pomegranates in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese rats. Administrating any of the used juices decreased the body weight gain, food consumption, and serum levels of lipid, leptin, and glucose, while it increased serum insulin level. Histologically, all types of juices decreased the number and size of lipid droplets in hepatocytes compared to the obese, non-treated animals. All juices types upregulated the hepatic mRNA expression of hormone-sensitive lipase, pyruvate kinase, and adiponectin in obese rats; the genes were all suppressed by HFD feeding. Additionally, the expression of fatty acid synthase, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase1 was also upregulated by all types of juices. Conversely, ghrelin mRNA expression was downregulated by all used juices’ types. These findings demonstrate that all types of tested juices protect against the HFD-induced obesity in rats.

Ameliorating Effect of Mycoleptodonoides aitchisonii on High-fat Diet-induced Obese Mice

The present study investigated the anti-obesity effects of Mycoleptodonoides aitchisonii (MA) in mice fed a high-fat (HF) diet. Two groups were fed either a normal control diet or an HF (45% kcal fat) diet for 12 weeks and three groups were fed an HF diet supplemented with powdered MA (MAP, 1%, 3%, and 5%) for 12 weeks. The anti-obesity effects of MAP supplementation on body weight, fat mass development, and lipid-related markers were assessed. Consumption of an HF diet resulted in increased body weight, serum lipids, relative adipose tissues weight, and liver fat accumulation. However, administration of MAP significantly decreased body weight gain, food intake, food efficiency ratio, hepatic cholesterol level, and adipose tissue weight in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, treatment with MAP significantly reduced the occurrence of fatty liver deposits and steatosis, and inhibited an HF diet-induced increase in adipocyte size. These results suggest that dietary supplementation with MAP exerts anti-obesity effects and indicate that MAP could be used as a functional food to control obesity.

Nutraceuticals and regulation of adipocyte life: premises or promises

Obesity is the actual worldwide health threat, that is associated with an increased number of metabolic disorders and diseases. Following the traditional hypothesis stating that in obesity hypertrophic adipocytes trigger the adipose tissue hyperplasia, strategies to treat obesity have increased fat researches of the molecular processes that achieve adipocyte enlargement and formation that finally increase body fat mass. Moreover, a new cell type was recently identified, the "brite" adipocyte that presents a unique gene expression profile of compared to both brown and white adipocytes. Therapies against obesity, targeting these cells and their pathways, would include the induction of lipolysis and apoptosis or the inhibition of differentiation and adipogenesis. However, it should be noted that both the increase of adipocyte size and number take place in association with positive energy balance. According to the adipose tissue expansion hypothesis, adipogenesis could be related with improved metabolic health of obese people, taking back the adipose mass to a traditionally site of lipid storage. Furthermore, new perspectives in fat biology suggest that the conversion of white-to-brown adipocytes and their metabolism could be exploited for the development of therapeutic approaches against obesity-associated diseases and for the regulation of energy balance. Drugs currently available to treat obesity generally have unpleasant side effects. A novel promising approach is the usage of dietary supplements and plant products that could interfere on the life cycle of adipocyte. Here, various dietary bioactive compounds that target different stages of adipocyte life cycle and molecular and metabolic pathways are reviewed.

The inhibitory effect of iridoid glycoside extracted from Fructus Gardeniae on intracellular acidification and extracellular Ca2+ influx induced by influenza A virus

Influenza is a serious public health problem that causes severe illnesses and deaths for higher risk populations. Iridoid glycoside is one of the main active components from Fructus Gardeniae with antivirus and anti-inflammatory characteristics. The present study was designed to investigate the inhibitory effect of iridoid glycoside extracted from Fructus Gardeniae (IGE) on influenza and explore the potential mechanism of the action. In vitro, IGE exhibited highest activity against influenza virus A/FM1/47 induced visible cytopathic effect (CPE), with half maximal inhibitory concentration and therapeutic index values of 3.15 mg/mL and 11.37, respectively, and the replication of influenza virus A/FM1/47 was inhibited markedly by IGE at the concentrations of 25, 12.5 and 6.25 mg/mL. In vivo, treatment of mice with IGE decreased pulmonary index, viral titers and M2 protein expression in a dose-dependent manner. IGE increased the declining pHi induced by influenza virus significantly at the concentrations of 25 and 12.5 mg/mL 0.5 or 1 h post-infection, respectively. IGE treatment inhibited elevation of [Ca2+]i significantly at the concentrations of 25 and 12.5 mg/mL 0.5, 1 or 24 h post-infection, respectively. In addition, IGE reduced the rate of early-apoptotic cells at the concentrations of 25, 12.5 and 6.25 mg/mL, but showed no apparent effect on the rate of late-apoptotic cells. Our study demonstrates that IGE possesses antiviral activity against influenza A virus, and the antiviral action might be related to the inhibition of intracellular acidification and Ca2+ influx during fusion and uncoating of influenza replication cycle.

Bofutsushosan, a Japanese herbal (Kampo) medicine, attenuates progression of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis in mice

BACKGROUND

Obesity-induced liver disease (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, NAFLD) is now the commonest cause of chronic liver disease in affluent nations. There are presently no proven treatments for NAFLD or its more severe stage, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Bofutsushosan (BTS), a Japanese herbal (Kampo) medicine, long used as an anti-obesity medicine in Japan and other Asian countries, has been shown to reduce body weight and improve insulin resistance (IR) and hepatic steatosis. The precise mechanism of action of BTS, however, remains unclear. To evaluate the ability of BTS to prevent the development of NASH, and determine the mediators and pathways involved.

METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were injected intra-peritoneally with gold-thioglucose and fed a high-fat diet (HF) or HF diet admixed with either 2 or 5 % BTS for 12 weeks. The effectiveness of BTS in attenuating features of NASH and the mechanisms through which BTS attenuated NASH were then assayed through an assessment of the anthropometric, radiological, biochemical and histological parameters.

RESULTS

BTS attenuated the progression of NASH through induction of adiponectin and its receptors along with an induction of PPAR-α and PPAR-γ, decreased expression of SREBP-1c, increased hepatic fatty acid oxidation and increased hepatic export of triglycerides. BTS moreover, reduced IR through phosphorylation of the protein kinase, Akt.

CONCLUSIONS

BTS through induction of adiponectin signaling and Akt attenuated development of NASH. Identification of the active entity in BTS should allow development of novel treatments for NASH.

Saffron: A Natural Potent Antioxidant as a Promising Anti-Obesity Drug

Obesity is associated with various diseases, particularly diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis and heart disease. Research on possibilities of herbal extracts and isolated compounds from natural products for treating obesity has an upward trend. Saffron (Crocus Sativus L. Iridaceae) is a source of plant polyphenols/carotenoids, used as important spice and food colorant in different parts of the world. It has also been used in traditional medicine for treatment of different types of illnesses since ancient times. Many of these medicinal properties of saffron can be attributed to a number of its compounds such as crocetin, crocins and other substances having strong antioxidant and radical scavenger properties against a variety of radical oxygen species and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The aim of this article is to assess the potential role of saffron and its constituents in the regulation of metabolic functions, which can beneficially alter obesity pathophysiology.

Bofu-tsu-shosan, an oriental herbal medicine, exerts a combinatorial favorable metabolic modulation including antihypertensive effect on a mouse model of human metabolic disorders with visceral obesity

Accumulating evidence indicates that metabolic dysfunction with visceral obesity is a major medical problem associated with the development of hypertension, type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and dyslipidemia, and ultimately severe cardiovascular and renal disease. Therefore, an effective anti-obesity treatment with a concomitant improvement in metabolic profile is important for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction with visceral obesity. Bofu-tsu-shosan (BOF) is one of oriental herbal medicine and is clinically available to treat obesity in Japan. Although BOF is a candidate as a novel therapeutic strategy to improve metabolic dysfunction with obesity, the mechanism of its beneficial effect is not fully elucidated. Here, we investigated mechanism of therapeutic effects of BOF on KKAy mice, a model of human metabolic disorders with obesity. Chronic treatment of KKAy mice with BOF persistently decreased food intake, body weight gain, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and systolic blood pressure. In addition, both tissue weight and cell size of white adipose tissue (WAT) were decreased, with concomitant increases in the expression of adiponectin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors genes in WAT as well as the circulating adiponectin level by BOF treatment. Furthermore, gene expression of uncoupling protein-1, a thermogenesis factor, in brown adipose tissue and rectal temperature were both elevated by BOF. Intriguingly, plasma acylated-ghrelin, an active form of orexigenic hormone, and short-term food intake were significantly decreased by single bolus administration of BOF. These results indicate that BOF exerts a combinatorial favorable metabolic modulation including antihypertensive effect, at least partially, via its beneficial effect on adipose tissue function and its appetite-inhibitory property through suppression on the ghrelin system.

Review: Evidence-based Clinical Research of Anti-obesity Supplements in Japan

Background:

The prevalence of obesity has increased dramatically throughout the world, and weight reduction through lifestyle management is urgently warranted. At present, numerous supplements advertised for their anti-overweight property are available in the Japanese market, but most of these lack proper evidence. Thus, we investigated dietary supplements that have been tested in clinical trials.

Search Strategy:

We researched anti-obesity supplements in the Japanese market using the google search engine in Japanese with the key terms “anti-obesity supplements,” ”diet supplements,” and “weight reduction supplements.”

Results:

We listed 49 companies that supply anti-obesity supplements. Of these, 11 had published clinical evidence of the anti-obesity efficacy of their supplements. These products contain the following active ingredients: Angelica keiskei, bofu-tsusho-san, capsaishin, DHA/EPA, forskohlii, garcinia cambogia, lactoferrin, L-carnitine, oligonol, tea catechin, and yeast hydrolysate.

Conclusion:

We obtained 11 supplements for which clinical evidence was published in medical journals in English. We also found 10 products for which clinical or animal evidence was published in Japanese. We expect that many companies will produce evidence of the efficacy of their products in the near future, thereby validating the use of dietary anti-obesity supplements in Japan.

Significance of Kampo, Japanese traditional medicine, in the treatment of obesity: basic and clinical evidence

The cause of obesity includes genetic and environmental factors, including cytokines derived from adipocytes (adipo-cytokines). Although drug therapy is available for obesity, it is highly risky. Our main focus in this review is on the traditional form of Japanese medicine, Kampo, in the treated of obesity. Two Kampo formulas, that is, bofutsushosan () and boiogito (), are covered by the national health insurance in Japan for the treatment of obesity. Various issues related to their action mechanisms remain unsolved. Considering these, we described the results of basic experiments and presented clinical evidence and case reports on osteoarthritis as examples of clinical application of their two Kampo medicine. Traditional medicine is used not only for treatment but also for prevention. In clinical practice, it is of great importance to prove the efficacy of combinations of traditional medicine and Western medicine and the utility of traditional medicine in the attenuation of adverse effects of Western medicine.

Antiobesity Effects of the Ethanol Extract of Laminaria japonica Areshoung in High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obese Rat

Laminaria japonica Areshoung, a widely consumed marine vegetable, has traditionally been used in Korean maternal health. The present study investigated the antiobesity effects of Laminaria japonica Areshoung ethanol extract (LE) and its molecular mechanism in high-fat-diet-induced obese rats. Six-week-old Sprague-Dawley male rats were separately fed a normal diet or a high-calorie high-fat diet for 6 weeks; then they were treated with LE or tea catechin for another 6 weeks. LE administration significantly decreased the body weight gain, fat-pad weights, and serum and hepatic lipid levels in HD-induced obese rats. The histological analysis revealed that LE-treated group showed a significantly decreased number of lipid droplets and size of adipocytes compared to the HD group. To elucidate the mechanism of action of LE, the levels of genes and proteins involved in obesity were measured in the liver and skeletal muscle. LE treatment resulted in an increased expression of fatty acid oxidation and thermogenesis-related genes in obese rats. Conversely, the expression of the fat intake-related gene (ACC2) and lipogenesis-related genes was reduced by LE treatment. Additionally, LE treatment increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase and its direct downstream protein, acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase, which is one of the rate-limiting enzymes in fatty acid synthesis pathway. These findings demonstrate that LE treatment has a protective effect against a high-fat-diet-induced obesity in rats through regulation of expression of genes and proteins involved in lipolysis and lipogenesis.

Hypericum silenoides Juss. and Hypericum philonotis Cham. & Schlecht. extracts: in-vivo hypolipidaemic and weight-reducing effects in obese rats*

Objectives

This study was carried out to assess the anti-obesity effect of Hypericum silenoides Juss. and Hypericum philonotis Cham. & Schlecht. in male Wistar rats fed with a cafeteria diet.

Methods

Adult male Wistar rats with an initial body weight of 290–320 g were used in this trial. The rats were fed with a cafeteria diet for 77 days. Hypericum species were administered orally at a dose of 10, 30 or 100 mg/kg of body weight daily for 35 days. Body weight, food intake, anorexic effect and various biochemical parameters, such as serum glucose, lipid profile, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and atherogenic index (AI), were assessed. Additionally, inhibitory lipase activity assay and forced swimming test were also carried out.

Key findings

Oral administration of H. silenoides and H. philonotis extracts resulted in a significant decrease in body weight and serum glucose levels in obese male Wistar rats. Treatment with aqueous extract of H. silenoides showed anorexic and antidepressant effects and also significantly (P &lt; 0.05) decreased total cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, while low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, AI, AST and ALT were not changed. The dichloromethane extract of H. silenoides (half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) = 262.79 ± 0.09 μg/ml) and hexane extract of H. philonotis (IC50 = 162.60 ± 0.02 μg/ml) showed the most potent lipase inhibitory activity.

Conclusion

Some H. silenoides and H. philonotis extracts showed a significant anti-obesity activity in cafeteria-diet-fed rats. This research provides the first scientific support for the use of the Hypericum genus for weight reduction in Mexican folk medicine.

Fructus Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis) phytochemistry, pharmacology of cardiovascular, and safety with the perspective of new drugs development

The phytochemistry, cardiovascular pharmacology, toxicology, side effect, and further development prospects of Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis (GJE) and its main constituents crocins and iridoid glycosides were studied. Numerous studies have confirmed that crocins and iridoid glycosides had effects of antioxidation, anti-inflammatory, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-ischemic brain injuries, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-hyperglycemia, anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-hypertension, and so on. Some of them might be related to several attractive pharmacodynamic actions of GJE such as promoting endothelium growth, protecting neurons, and inducing their differentiation. Both of them make it possible for GJE to prevent and cure thromboembolism and cardiovascular diseases well. From our own basic pharmacological research of GJE extract on several rat models, it has been known that GJE extract markedly prolonged bleeding time and inhibited platelet aggregation and thrombosis. It has significant proliferation effect on both endothelial cells and endothelial progenitor cells as well. As the mechanisms of GJE on those diseases were discussed and summarized, questions about its genetoxicity and hepatotoxicity were also discussed during its safety study to make the foundation for long-term medication and clinical research in the near future.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Clerodendron glandulosum Coleb--a review

Present review for the first time provides a complete botanical description and information on ethnomedicinal uses of Clerodendron glandulosum.Coleb (CG; Fam, Verbenaceae). Recent studies conducted from our laboratory provide pharmacological evidence for its anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic and anti-obesity potentials. Further, its beneficial potential in preventing in vitro and in vivo non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and atherosclerosis and potent hepatoprotective and free radical scavenging abilities along with its acute and sub-chronic toxicological evaluations are also reported from our laboratory. In keeping with its traditional uses, CG extract was capable of ameliorating experimentally induced hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Its beneficial potential against NASH induced oxidative stress and atherosclerosis can be attributed to its potent free radical scavenging potential. Non-toxic nature of CG leaf extract further provides added merit to its reported pharmacological properties. The present review summarizes the pioneering scientific evidence for the pharmacological effects of CG against related metabolic disorders like hypertension, diabetes and obesity along with anti oxidant potential and beneficial effects against non alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Taguchi approach for anti-heat stress prescription compatibility in mice spleen lymphocytes in vitro

Heat stress (HS) may induce immunosuppression as well as inhibit the proliferation of lymphocytes. This study evaluated the effects on immune function of our prescription on splenic lymphocytes under HS as well as its compatibility. The effects of four herbal extracts from Agastache rugosa, Atractylodes lancea, Cortex Phellodendri, and Gypsum Fibrosum on heat treated splenic lymphocytes were investigated and the compatibility of the prescription was also explored by using the Taguchi method. This study revealed changes in proliferation by traditional Chinese medicines of splenic lymphocytes after HS. Proliferation in the HS group was significantly lower than the control group. Under HS, the effects of higher concentrations of Agastache rugosa (100 and 200 μg/mL), Atractylodes lancea (100 and 200 μg/mL), Cortex Phellodendri (50 and 100 μg/mL) and Gypsum Fibrosum (100 and 200 μg/mL) caused a significant increase on ConA/LPS-induced proliferation of lymphocytes than lower concentrations. We, therefore, conclude that the prescription of traditional Chinese medicines may recover splenic lymphocytes from the immunosuppression induced by HS. The Taguchi design, which allows rapid and high efficiency for the selection of the best conditions for our prescription on HS-treated splenic lymphocytes, demonstrated that Agastache rugosa (200 μg/mL), Atractylodes lancea (200 μg/mL), Cortex Phellodendri (100 μg/mL) and Gypsum Fibrosum (100 μg/mL) were the optimal conditions for the prescription. The validation experiment confirmed that our composition in optimum extraction conditions enhanced effects on ConA or LPS-stimulated lymphocytes under HS. The results showed that the Taguchi optimization approach is a suitable method for optimization of the composition of prescription.

Aorta and liver changes in rats fed cholesterol-containing and raw vegetable-supplemented diets: experiments in vitro and in vivo

The aim of this investigation was to compare the liver and aorta changes in rats fed cholesterol-containing diets and the possible improvement when diets would be supplemented with frequently used raw vegetables. The phenolic compounds of three vegetables in methanol-water (1:1) fraction were characterized using electrospray ionization mass spectra (ESI-MS). Results showed that the content of polyphenols, flavonoids, quercetin, flavanols, tannins, and ascorbic acid varied for garlic and white and red onions ranging from 6.68 to 18.08 mg GAE/g DW, 490.4-701.0 μg CE/g DW, 281.2-1100.0 μg, 32.40-41.30 μg CE/g DW, 2.88-3.12 mg CE/g DW, 1.87-2.33 mg AA/g DW, 1388.2-1442.3 μg CGE/g DW, respectively. The radical scavenging capacities (μM TE/g DW) for the same investigated vegetables for ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC, and DPPH assays ranged from 48.78 to 92.42, 9.41-28.56, 3.06-10.41, and 6.49-23.42, respectively. Good correlations were observed between the phenolic contents and the radical scavenging capacities of the vegetables. The interaction between BSA and quercetin, BSA and garlic and onions extracts was measured by 3-dimensional fluorescence (3D-FL) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The highest polyphenol content was found in methanol/water fraction of onions and garlic; therefore, for the investigation of in vitro interactions with BSA only polyphenols of this fraction were used. For in vivo studies, 30 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups each of 6 and named Control, Chol, Chol/Garlic, Chol/OnionRed, and Chol/OnionWhite. During 6 weeks, the rats of all 5 groups were fed a basal diet (BD). The rats of the Control group were fed the BD only. The BD of the Chol group was supplemented with 10 g/kg of nonoxidized cholesterol (NOC). Each of the other three groups was supplemented with 10 g/kg of NOC and 500 mg of raw fresh garlic, 500 mg of raw fresh red onion, and 500 mg of raw fresh white onion on 1 kg of body weight for Chol/Garlic, Chol/OnionRed, and Chol/OnionWhite diet groups, respectively. In order to detect the changes in the liver and aorta, a histological procedure was applied, and the liver enzymes were determined and compared. It was found that the main changes vs the Control group were in the liver of rats fed the cholesterol-containing diet without vegetable supplementation. Significantly less histological changes in the liver and lower level of liver enzymes vs those of the Chol group were detected in rats of the Chol/Garlic group (P < 0.05). The interaction between the polyphenol extract of garlic and BSA in vitro showed its strong ability comparable with that of quercetin to quench the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA. In conclusion, all studied vegetables showed protective effects, but raw garlic supplemented with cholesterol-containing diets significantly prevented the aorta and liver damages of rats.

Hypolipidemic effects of three purgative decoctions

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), purgation is indicated when a person suffers an illness due to the accumulation of evil internal heat. Obese individuals with a large belly, red face, thick and yellow tongue fur, constipation, and avoidance of heat are thought accumulates of evil internal heat, and they are also treated with purgatives such as Ta-Cheng-Chi-Tang (TCCT), Xiao-Chen-Chi-Tang (XCCT), and Tiao-Wei-Chen-Chi-Tang (TWCCT) by TCM doctors. In previous studies, our group found that TCCT has potent anti-inflammatory activity, and that XCCT is an effective antioxidant. Since rhubarb is the principle herb in these three prescriptions, we will first present a thorough review of the literature on the demonstrated effect (or lack of effect) of rhubarb and rhubarb-containing polyherbal preparations on lipid and weight control. We will then continue our research with an investigation of the anti-obesity and lipid-lowering effect of TCCT, XCCT, TWCCT, and rhubarb extracts using two animal models. TWCCT lowered the serum triglyceride concentration as much as fenofibrate in Triton WR-1339-treated mice. Daily supplementation with XCCT and TWCCT significantly attenuated the high-fat-diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in rats. In addition, TWCCT also significantly lowered the high-fat-diet-induced hypertriglycemia. Although feeding high-fat diet rats with these extracts did not cause loose stools or diarrhea or other deleterious effects on renal or hepatic function. None of these extracts lowered the body weight of rats fed on high-fat diet. In conclusion, the results suggest that XCCT and TWCCT might exert beneficial effects in the treatment of hyperlipidemia.

The Kampo medicines Orengedokuto, Bofutsushosan and Boiogito have different activities to regulate gene expressions in differentiated rat white adipocytes: comprehensive analysis of genetic profiles

Three Kampo medicines, Boiogito (BOT), Bofutsushosan (BTS) and Orengedokuto (OGT), used for obese patients were investigated for their effects on adipogenesis in cultured rat white adipocytes. Administration of the three extracts suppressed adipogenesis in concentration-dependent manners (1-100 microg/ml) without any cytotoxicity. Changes in mRNA expression levels were analyzed using a Rat 230 2.0 Affymetrix GeneChip microarray system. DNA microarray analysis (total probe set: 31099) using cDNAs prepared from adipocytes revealed that BOT, BTS and OGT increased the expression of 133-150 genes and decreased the expression of 42-110 genes by > or =2-fold. We identified 329 downregulated genes and 189 upregulated genes among a total set of 514 probes (overlap: 4). Overall, genes related to cellular movement, cell death, cell growth/differentiation and immune responses were the most downregulated, while those related to lipid metabolism and cell signaling were the most upregulated. Semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays were conducted to confirm the microarray results. Analysis of the clustering profiles of the microarray results revealed that BOT and BTS changed the expression levels of similar genes mainly involved in small molecule biochemistry and cell differentiation, while OGT altered 10 genes related to lipid metabolism, in contrast to the effects of BOT and BTS. We also measured mRNA expression levels of seven selected genes highly contributing to the lipid metabolism by using semiquantitative RT-PCR assay, that were acetyl-Coenzyme A carboxylase alpha (ACACA), AE binding protein 1 (AEBP1), patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 8 (PNPLA8), secretoglobin (SCGB1A1), adrenergic (ADRB3), adiponectin (ADIPOQ), monoglyceride lipase (MGLL). Beta-actin (ACTB) gene was used as an endogenous internal standard. The present findings indicate that these three herbal extracts have the potential to prevent adipogenesis in rat white adipocytes through different mechanisms via modulation of gene expression levels.

Preventive effects of Bofutsushosan on obesity and various metabolic disorders

Visceral fat accumulation has been reported as the most important risk factor for the development of various metabolic disorders. In this study, the preventive effects of Bofutsushosan, a Japanese Kampo preparation, on obesity and various metabolic disorders were investigated focusing on visceral fat accumulation using Tsumura, Suzuki, Obese, Diabetes (TSOD) mice, which showed significant accumulation of visceral fat, and developed metabolic disorders including glucose intolerance, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and hyperinsulinemia. At 2 months after initiation of the study, the control TSOD mice developed various metabolic disorders such as marked obesity and visceral fat accumulation, increases in the levels of blood glucose, insulin, total-cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG), and abnormal glucose tolerance, hypertension and peripheral neuropathy as distinct from the control Tsumura, Suzuki, Non-Obesity (TSNO) mice, which do not develop obesity and various metabolic disorders. In the TSOD mice treated with Bofutsushosan, body weight gain and visceral/subcutaneous fat accumulation were significantly suppressed. Biochemical parameters in plasma (glucose, TC, insulin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) level) were significantly suppressed, and abnormal glucose tolerance, elevation of blood pressure and peripheral neuropathy accompanying progression of metabolic disorders were also significantly suppressed. On the other hand, in TSNO mice, Bofutsushosan showed no noteworthy impacts on most parameters except for an improvement of the lipid plasma level. The above results suggested that Bofutsushosan could be effective in preventing obesity and various metabolic disorders.