Curcuma comosa reduces visceral adipose tissue and improves dyslipidemia in ovariectomized rats

Protective effect of phytoestrogens on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in postmenopausal women

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a progressive metabolic disease characterized by hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and fibrosis that seriously endangers global public health. Epidemiological studies have shown that the incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in postmenopausal women has significantly increased. Studies have shown that estrogen deficiency is the main reason for this situation, and supplementing estrogen has become a new direction for preventing the occurrence of postmenopausal fatty liver. However, although classical estrogen replacement therapy can reduce the incidence of postmenopausal NAFLD, it has the risk of increasing stroke and cardiovascular diseases, so it is not suitable for the treatment of postmenopausal NAFLD. More and more recent studies have provided evidence that phytoestrogens are a promising method for the treatment of postmenopausal NAFLD. However, the mechanism of phytoestrogens in preventing and treating postmenopausal NAFLD is still unclear. This paper summarizes the clinical and basic research evidence of phytoestrogens and reviews the potential therapeutic effects of phytoestrogens in postmenopausal NAFLD from six angles: enhancing lipid metabolism in liver and adipose tissue, enhancing glucose metabolism, reducing oxidative stress, reducing the inflammatory response, regulating intestinal flora, and blocking liver fibrosis (Graphical Abstract).

Dietary Supplementation with 20-Hydroxyecdysone Ameliorates Hepatic Steatosis and Reduces White Adipose Tissue Mass in Ovariectomized Rats Fed a High-Fat, High-Fructose Diet

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is defined as hepatic steatosis in combination with overweight, diabetes, or other metabolic risk factors. MAFLD affects a significant number of the global population and imposes substantial clinical and economic burdens. With no approved pharmacotherapy, current treatment options are limited to diet and exercise. Therefore, the development of medicines for MAFLD treatment or prevention is necessary. 20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E) is a natural steroid found in edible plants and has been shown to improve metabolism and dyslipidemia. Therefore, it may be useful for MAFLD treatment. Here, we aimed to determine how dietary supplementation with 20E affects fat accumulation and lipogenesis in the liver and adipose tissue of ovariectomized rats fed a high-fat, high-fructose diet (OHFFD). We found that 20E reduced hepatic triglyceride content and visceral fat deposition. 20E increased the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase and acetyl CoA carboxylase while reducing the expression of fatty acid synthase in the liver and adipose tissue. Additionally, 20E increased hepatic expression of carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 and reduced adipose expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1. In conclusion, 20E demonstrated beneficial effects in rats with OHFFD-induced MAFLD. These findings suggest that 20E may represent a promising option for MAFLD prevention or treatment.

Lowering of lysophosphatidylcholines in ovariectomized rats by Curcuma comosa

Decline of ovarian function in menopausal women increases metabolic disease risk. Curcuma comosa extract and its major compound, (3R)-1,7-diphenyl-(4E,6E)-4,6-heptadien-3-ol (DPHD), improved estrogen-deficient ovariectomized (OVX) rat metabolic disturbances. However, information on their effects on metabolites is limited. Here, we investigated the impacts of C. comosa ethanol extract and DPHD on 12-week-old OVX rat metabolic disturbances, emphasizing the less hydrophobic metabolites. Metabolomics analysis of OVX rat serum showed a marked increase compared to sham-operated rat (SHAM) in levels of lysophosphatidylcholines (lysoPCs), particularly lysoPC (18:0) and lysoPC (16:0), and of arachidonic acid (AA), metabolites associated with inflammation. OVX rat elevated lysoPCs and AA levels reverted to SHAM levels following treatments with C. comosa ethanol extract and DPHD. Overall, our studies demonstrate the effect of C. comosa extract in ameliorating the metabolic disturbances caused by ovariectomy, and the elevated levels of bioactive lipid metabolites, lysoPCs and AA, may serve as potential biomarkers of menopausal metabolic disturbances.

Curcuma aromatica and Curcuma comosa Extracts and Isolated Constituents Provide Protection against UVB-Induced Damage and Attenuate Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 Expression in HaCaT Cells

Ultraviolet-B (UVB) exposure is one of the primary extrinsic factors causing skin photoaging. It stimulates inflammatory responses and arrests the cell cycle. Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) secreted by keratinocytes is one of the important extracellular matrixes to attenuate UVB-induced skin aging via collagen degradation. Curcuma aromatica (CA) and Curcuma comosa (CC), the herbaceous plants in the Zingiberaceae family, are commonly used in Thai traditional women’s medicines. The present work was aimed to investigate the potential of the CA and CC extracts and their isolated compounds to attenuate UVB-induced MMP-1 and cell cycle arrest in HaCaT keratinocytes. Total phenolic contents and antioxidant capacities of the extracts were determined. CC extract contains more phenolic components and provides more potent antioxidant activities than CA extract. HaCaTs were pretreated with the extracts or their isolated constituents 1–4 for 24 h and then repeatedly exposed to UVB at 100 mJ/cm2 10 times. Both extracts and compounds 1–4 effectively reduce UVB-induced MMP-1 levels in HaCaT cells and restore cell cycle arrest. This is the first report on the potential of CA and CC extracts in reducing UVB-induced MMP-1 expression and regulating cell proliferation in HaCaT cells. Thus, CA and CC extracts might be used as alternative natural agents to prevent UVB-induced skin photoaging.

Natural Products Targeting Liver X Receptors or Farnesoid X Receptor

Nuclear receptors (NRs) are a superfamily of transcription factors induced by ligands and also function as integrators of hormonal and nutritional signals. Among NRs, the liver X receptors (LXRs) and farnesoid X receptor (FXR) have been of significance as targets for the treatment of metabolic syndrome-related diseases. In recent years, natural products targeting LXRs and FXR have received remarkable interests as a valuable source of novel ligands encompassing diverse chemical structures and bioactive properties. This review aims to survey natural products, originating from terrestrial plants and microorganisms, marine organisms, and marine-derived microorganisms, which could influence LXRs and FXR. In the recent two decades (2000-2020), 261 natural products were discovered from natural resources such as LXRs/FXR modulators, 109 agonists and 38 antagonists targeting LXRs, and 72 agonists and 55 antagonists targeting FXR. The docking evaluation of desired natural products targeted LXRs/FXR is finally discussed. This comprehensive overview will provide a reference for future study of novel LXRs and FXR agonists and antagonists to target human diseases, and attract an increasing number of professional scholars majoring in pharmacy and biology with more in-depth discussion.

Inhibition of Adipogenic Differentiation of Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells by a Phytoestrogen Diarylheptanoid from Curcuma comosa

We investigated the effect of a phytoestrogen, (3R)-1,7-diphenyl-(4E,6E)-4,6-heptadien-3-ol (DPHD), from Curcuma comosa Roxb. (Zingiberaceae family) on the adipogenic differentiation of mesenchymal progenitors, human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs). DPHD inhibited adipocyte differentiation of hBMSCs by suppressing the expression of genes involved in adipogenesis. DPHD at concentrations of 0.1, 1, and 10 μM significantly decreased triglyceride accumulation in hBMSCs to 7.1 ± 0.2, 6.3 ± 0.4, and 4.9 ± 0.2 mg/dL, respectively, compared to the nontreated control (10.1 ± 0.9 mg/dL) (p < 0.01). Based on gene expression profiling, DPHD increased the expression of several genes involved in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, a negative regulator of adipocyte differentiation in hBMSCs. DPHD also increased the levels of essential signaling proteins which are extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β) that link estrogen receptor (ER) signaling to Wnt/β-catenin signaling. In conclusion, DPHD exhibited the anti-adipogenic effect in hBMSCs by suppression of adipogenic markers in hBMSCs through the activation of ER and Wnt/β catenin signaling pathways. This finding suggests the potential role of DPHD in preventing bone marrow adiposity which is one of the major factors that exacerbates osteoporosis in postmenopause.

Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) Extract Prevents Dyslipidemia and Hepatic Steatosis in Ovariectomized Rats

Estrogen is involved in lipid metabolism. Menopausal women with low estrogen secretion usually gain weight and develop steatosis associated with abnormal lipid metabolism. A previous study showed that blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) extract (BCE) had phytoestrogen activity. In this study, we examined whether BCE improved lipid metabolism abnormalities and reduced liver steatosis in ovariectomized rats, as a menopausal animal model. Twelve-week-old ovariectomized (OVX) rats were fed a regular diet (Ctrl) or a 3% BCE supplemented diet while sham rats were fed a regular diet for three months. Body weight, visceral fat weight, levels of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol decreased in the BCE-treated OVX and sham rats, but not in OVX Ctrl rats. The results of hematoxylin and eosin staining revealed that BCE decreased the diameters of adipocytes and the nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score. Furthermore, quantitative RTPCR indicated a decreased expression of hepatitis-related genes, such as tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in OVX rats after BCE treatment. This is the first study that reported improvement of lipid metabolism abnormalities in OVX rats by BCE administration. These results suggest that the intake of BCE alleviated dyslipidemia and prevented nonalcoholic steatohepatitis during menopause in this animal model.

Metformin ameliorates body mass gain and early metabolic changes in ovariectomized rats

Estradiol has been used to prevent metabolic diseases, bone loss and menopausal symptoms, even though it might raise the risk of cancer. Metformin is usually prescribed for type 2 diabetes mellitus and lowers food intake and body mass while improving insulin resistance and the lipid profile. Ovariectomized rats show increased body mass, insulin resistance and changes in the lipid profile. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate whether metformin could prevent the early metabolic dysfunction that occurs early after ovariectomy. Female Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: SHAM-operated (SHAM), ovariectomized (OVX), ovariectomized + estradiol (OVX + E2) and ovariectomized + metformin (OVX + M). Treatment with metformin diminished approximately 50% of the mass gain observed in ovariectomized animals and reduced both the serum and hepatic triglyceride levels. The hepatic levels of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (pAMPK) decreased after OVX, and the expression of the inactive form of hepatic acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) was also reduced. Metformin was able to increase the levels of pAMPK in the liver of OVX animals, sustaining the balance between the inactive and total forms of ACC. Estradiol effects were similar to those of metformin but with different proportions. Our results suggest that metformin ameliorates the early alterations of metabolic parameters and rescues hepatic AMPK phosphorylation and ACC inactivation observed in ovariectomized rats.

Enhanced Stability and Bioactivity of Curcuma comosa Roxb. Extract in Electrospun Gelatin Nanofibers

Electrospun fiber can be used as a carrier for releasing active ingredients at the target site to achieve the effects of drug treatment. The objectives of this research work were to study suitable conditions for producing electrospun gelatin fiber loaded with crude Curcuma comosa Roxb. extract (CE) and to study antioxidant, anti-tyrosinase and anti-bacterial activities and its freeze–thaw stability as well. To achieve optimal conditions for producing electrospun gelatin fiber, the concentration of gelatin was adjusted to 30% w/v in a co-solvent system of acetic acid/water (9:1 v/v) with a feed rate of 3 mL/h and an applied voltage of 15 kV. The lowest percent loading of 5% (w/v) CE in gelatin nanofiber exhibited the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity of 94% and the highest inhibition of tyrosinase enzyme of 35%. Moreover, the inhibition zones for antibacterial activities against S. aureus and S. epidermidis were 7.77 ± 0.21 and 7.73 ± 0.12 mm, respectively. The freeze–thaw stability of CE in electrospun gelatin nanofiber was significantly different (p < 0.05) after the 4th cycle as compared to CE. Electrospun gelatin nanofiber containing CE also showed the capacity of the release of bioactive ingredients possessing anti-oxidant properties and, therefore, it could potentially be used for face masks.