Molokhia leaf extract prevents gut inflammation and obesity

Ameliorating effects of Orostachys japonica against high-fat diet-induced obesity and gut dysbiosis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Orostachys japonica (rock pine) has been used as a folk remedy to treat inflammation, hepatitis, and cancer in East Asia.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of rock pine extract (RPE) on high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice and to examine its effects on gut dysbiosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The characteristic compound of RPE, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, was quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. The prebiotic potential of RPE was evaluated by assessing the prebiotic activity score obtained using four prebiotic strains and high-fat (HF)-induced obesity C57BL/6 mice model. Analysis included examining the lipid metabolism and inflammatory proteins and evaluating the changes in gut permeability and metabolites to elucidate the potential signaling pathways involved.

RESULTS

In vitro, RPE enhanced the proliferation of beneficial probiotic strains, including Lactiplantibacillus and Bifidobacterium. HF-induced model showed that the administration of 100 mg/kg/day of RPE for 8 weeks significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the body weight, serum lipid levels, and insulin resistance, which were associated with notable changes in lipid metabolism and inflammation-related markers.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that rock pine consumption could mitigate obesity and metabolic endotoxemia in HF-fed mice through enhancing intestinal environment.

Desulfovibrio in the Gut: The Enemy within?

Desulfovibrio (DSV) are sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) that are ubiquitously present in the environment and as resident commensal bacteria within the human gastrointestinal tract. Though they are minor residents of the healthy gut, DSV are opportunistic pathobionts that may overgrow in the setting of various intestinal and extra-intestinal diseases. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated a positive correlation between DSV overgrowth (bloom) and various human diseases. While the relationship between DSV bloom and disease pathology has not been clearly established, mounting evidence suggests a causal role for these bacteria in disease development. As DSV are the most predominant genera of SRB in the gut, this review summarizes current knowledge regarding the relationship between DSV and a variety of diseases. In this study, we also discuss the mechanisms by which these bacteria may contribute to disease pathology.

Corchorus olitorius extract exhibit anti-hyperglycemic and anti-inflammatory properties in rodent models of obesity and diabetes mellitus

Obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are chronic conditions with detrimental impacts on the overall health of individuals. Presently, the use of pharmacological agents in obesity and T2D offers limited benefits and pose side effects. This warrant studies on remedies that are less toxic and inexpensive while effective in ameliorating secondary complications in obesity and T2D. Plant-based remedies have been explored increasingly due to their remarkable properties and safety profile. We searched for pre-clinical evidence published from inception until 2023 on PubMed, Scopus, Google, and Semantic scholar on Corchorus olitorius (C. olitorius) in both obesity and T2D. Our focus was to understand the beneficial impact of this plant-based remedy on basic glycemic, lipid, inflammatory, and biomarkers of oxidative stress. The evidence gathered in this review suggests that C. olitorius treatment may significantly reduce blood glucose, body weight, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in concomitant with increasing high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) in rodent models of obesity and T2D. Interestingly, this effect was consistent with the reduction of malonaldehyde, superoxide dismutase and catalases, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukins, and leptin. Some of the mechanisms by which C. olitorius reduces blood glucose levels is through stimulation of insulin secretion, increasing β-cell proliferation, thus promoting insulin sensitivity; the process which is mediated by ascorbic acid present in this plant. C. olitorius anti-hyperlipidemia is attributable to the content of ferulic acid found in this plant, which inhibits 3-Hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors and thus results in reduced synthesis of cholesterol and increased hepatic LDL-c receptor expression, respectively. The present review provides extensive knowledge and further highlights the potential benefits of C. olitorius on basic metabolic parameters, lipid profile, inflammation, and oxidative stress in rodent models of obesity and T2D.

Pharmacological and phytochemical biodiversity of Corchorus olitorius

Corchorus olitorius L. is a nutritious green leafy vegetable that is eaten as a viscous soup in African and Middle Eastern cultures. The purpose of this review is to highlight the nutritional and nutraceutical potential of this plant. The leaves of C. olitorius are rich providers of minerals as calcium and iron in addition to vitamins B1, B2, folic acid C and E. The leaves contain numerous compounds having several biological effects including antidiabetic and antioxidant properties. Besides, the leaves comprise other phytochemicals such as cardiac glycosides, terpenes, flavonoids, fatty acids, hydrocarbons and phenolics. Various extracts of C. olitorius were shown to exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antihyperlipidemic, immunostimulant, antitumor, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, analgesic, wound-healing properties and cardioprotective activities.

A Comprehensive Review of C. capsularis and C. olitorious: A Source of Nutrition, Essential Phytoconstituents and Pharmacological Activities

Plant bioactive compounds have gained global significance in terms of both medicinal and economic ramifications due to being easily accessible and are believed to be effective with fewer side effects. Growing relevant clinical and scientific evidence has become an important criterion for accepting traditional health claims of medicinal plants and also supports the traditional uses of Corchorus as folk medicine. C. capsularis and C. olitorius have broad applications ranging from textile to biocomposite, and young leaves and shoots are used as healthy vegetables and have long been used as traditional remedies for fever, ascites, algesia, liver disorders, piles, and tumors in many cultures. This review systematically summarized and emphasized the nutritional attributes, mostly available bioactive compounds, and biological and potential pharmaceutical properties of C. capsularis and C. olitorius, disclosed to users and non-users. Results suggest that various phytochemicals such as cardiac glycosides, phenols, flavonoids, sterols, lipids, and fatty acids were found or analytically identified in different plant parts (leaf, stem, seed, and root), and many of them are responsible for pharmacological properties and their antitumor, anticancer, antioxidant, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antiviral, antibacterial, anticonvulsant, antidiabetic and antiobesity, and cardiovascular properties help to prevent and cure many chronic diseases. In addition to their use in traditional food and medicine, their leaves have also been developed for skin care products, and some other possible uses are described. From this review, it is clear that the isolated compounds of both species have great potential to prevent and treat various diseases and be used as functional foods. In conclusion, this comprehensive review establishes a significant reference base for future research into various medical and functional food applications.

A Comprehensive Review on Anti-obesity Potential of Medicinal Plants and their Bioactive Compounds

Background:

Obesity is a complex health and global epidemic issue. It is an increasing global health challenge covering significant social and economic costs. Abnormal accumulation of fat in the body may increase the health risks including diabetes, hypertension, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, cardiovascular diseases, stroke and cancer. Synthetic drugs available on the market reported to have several side effects. Therefore, the management of obesity got to involve the traditional use of medicinal plants which helps to search the new therapeutic targets and supports the research and development of anti-obesity drugs.

Objective:

This review aim to update the data and provide a comprehensive report of currently available knowledge of medicinal plants and phyto-chemical constituents reported for their anti-obesity activity.

Methodology:

An electronic search of the periodical databases like Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Scielo, Niscair, ScienceDirect, Springerlink, Wiley, SciFinder and Google Scholar with information reported the period 1991-2019, was used to retrieve published data.

Results:

A comprehensive report of the present review manuscript is an attempt to list the medicinal plants with anti-obesity activity. The review focused on plant extracts, isolated chemical compounds with their mechanism of action and their preclinical experimental model, clinical studies for further scientific research.

Conclusion:

This review is the compilation of the medicinal plants and their constituents reported for the managements of obesity. The data will fascinate the researcher to initiate further research that may lead to the drug for the management of obesity and their associated secondary complications. Several herbal plants and their respective lead constituents were also screened by preclinical In-vitro and In-vivo, clinical trials and are effective in the treatment of obesity. Therefore, there is a need to develop and screen large number of plant extracts and this approach can surely be a driving force for the discovery of anti-obesity drugs from medicinal plants.

Dietary rhamnogalacturonan-Ⅰ rich extracts of molokhia ameliorate high fat diet-induced obesity and gut dysbiosis

Obesity is a global health issue associated with increased prevalence of disease and mortality. Molokhia (Corchorus olitorius L.) leaves, used as vegetables in Asia and Africa, comprise abundant water-soluble mucilage polysaccharides. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of molokhia leaf polysaccharide fraction (MPF) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and gut dysbiosis in mice. A significant decrease was observed in the body weight, adipocyte size, triglyceride serum, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, as well as in the expression of lipid synthesis-related proteins in mice treated with 4 mg/kg of MPF (MPF4). Moreover, the expression of the tight junction protein increased significantly; however, gut permeability and related inflammatory marker levels decreased in the MPF4 group. Furthermore, MPF ameliorated gut dysbiosis, whereas the MPF4 group presented a decreased Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratios and an increased abundance of Akkermansia during exposure to HFD. Our findings reveal that rhamnogalacturonan-Ⅰ rich MPF attenuates obesity in mice subjected to HFD by modulating the gut microbiota.

Natural Dietary and Medicinal Plants with Anti-Obesity Therapeutics Activities for Treatment and Prevention of Obesity during Lock Down and in Post-COVID-19 Era

Overweight and obesity have become global epidemics, especially during the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The potential of medicinal plants as a better and safe option in treating obesity and overweight has gained attention in recent years. Obesity and overweight has become a major public health concern, and its incidence rising at an alarming rate. Obesity is one of the major types of metabolic syndrome, resulting in various types of problems such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and excess fat accumulation. The current searching was done by the keywords in main indexing systems including Scopus, PubMed/MEDLINE, the search engine of Google Scholar, and Institute for Scientific Web of Science. The keywords were traditional medicine, health benefits, pharmaceutical science, pomegranate, punicalin, punicalagin, and ellagitannins. Google Scholar was searched manually for possible missing manuscripts, and there was no language restriction in the search. This review was carried out to highlight the importance of medicinal plants which are common in traditional medicinal sciences of different countries, especially Asia to prevent and treatment of obesity and overweight during the global pandemic and the post-COVID-19 era.

Characterization, prebiotic and immune-enhancing activities of rhamnogalacturonan-I-rich polysaccharide fraction from molokhia leaves

Plant-derived polysaccharides possess potential health benefits that improve intestinal health and the immune system. Molokhia leaves have a large amount of mucilage polysaccharide; in the present study, crude polysaccharide extract was prepared from molokhia leaves. The molecular weight of molokhia leaf polysaccharide fraction (MPF) was estimated to be 51.2 × 10³ Da. Polysaccharide was methylated and the structure of MPF was mainly composed of rhamnogalacturonan-I structure with side chains, such as galactans and linear glucan (starch), as shown by GC-MS analysis. To study the biofunctional effects of MPF, its prebiotic and intestinal immune-enhancing activities were assayed in vitro. MPF exhibited good prebiotic activity, as shown by its high prebiotic scores, and increased contents of total short-chain fatty acids on five probiotic strains. In addition, MPF showed immune-enhancing activity on Peyer's patches, as revealed by the high bone marrow cell proliferating activity and production of immunoglobulin A and cytokines. These results demonstrate that MPF may be a potential beneficial prebiotic and intestinal immune-enhancer, which may have wide implications in the food industry.