The effect of sibutramine therapy on occurrence of depression symptoms among obese patients

Anti-obesity effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of the ethanolic extract of figs from Ficus hispida using high fat-fed wister rats

Obesity is a known risk factor for many chronic diseases and a substantial threat to public health. We investigated the effects of figs sourced from Ficus hispida on a high fat-fed experimental rat model. We found that a 500-mg dose of ethanolic extract of figs (EFH) reduced oxidative stress markers nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), which were increased in high fat-fed rats. Antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, reduced glutathione (GSH), and myeloperoxidase (MPO), found elevated in high fat-fed rats, were also normalized to nearly regular levels by fig treatment. Administration of EFH further reduced fat deposition and expression of adipogenic genes leptin, fatty acid synthase (FAS), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SERBP-1c). Our results suggest that figs have significant effects on reducing oxidative stress and mitigating obesity-associated liver and adipose tissue abnormalities via suppressing adipogenesis. Thus, we propose that F. hispida has potential benefits in reducing obesity.

Molecular networking aided metabolomic profiling of beet leaves using three extraction solvents and in relation to its anti-obesity effects

In the present study, the efficiency of three different solvents (H2O, acidified H2O, and 70% Methanol) for metabolites extraction from the leaves of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris var. rubra) was investigated along with their inhibitory activity on pancreatic α-amylase and lipase for obesity management. The metabolic profile of the three extracts was analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometric (ESI-HRMS-MS). Mass spectrometry-based molecular networking was employed to aid in metabolites annotation and for the visual investigation of the known metabolites and their analogues. The study led to the tentative identification of 45 metabolites including amino acids, purine derivatives, phenolic acids, flavonoids, fatty acids, and an alkaloid, articulating 24 compounds as a first time report from beet leaves along with 2 new putatively identified compounds: a flavone feruloyl conjugate (39) and a malonylated acacetin diglycoside (40). The three extracting systems exhibited comparable efficiency for pulling out the secondary metabolites from the beet leaves. The in vitro study supported this finding and demonstrated that the three extracts inhibited the activity of both pancreatic α-amylase and lipase enzymes with no significant difference observed regarding the percentage of the inhibition of the enzymes. Conclusively, the extraction protocol has a minimal effect on the anti-obesity properties of beet leaves.

Anti-Adipogenic Effect of Neferine in 3T3-L1 Cells and Primary White Adipocytes

Neferine, an alkaloid component extracted from lotus seed embryos, is known for its anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. However, the anti-adipogenic activity of neferine has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, neferine was found to inhibit lipid accumulation in a dose-dependent manner during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells without inducing cytotoxicity. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot analysis revealed the downregulation in the expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) and the upregulation in carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) levels following neferine treatment. Furthermore, neferine increased the phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), which is an important regulator of fatty acid oxidation. Our result indicates that neferine attenuates adipogenesis and promotes lipid metabolism by activating AMPK-mediated signaling. Therefore, neferine may serve as a therapeutic candidate for obesity treatment.

A Review of Potential Marine-derived Hypotensive and Anti-obesity Peptides

Bioactive peptides are food derived components, usually consisting of 3-20 amino acids, which are inactive when incorporated within their parent protein. Once liberated by enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis, during food processing and gastrointestinal transit, they can potentially provide an array of health benefits to the human body. Owing to an unprecedented increase in the worldwide incidence of obesity and hypertension, medical researchers are focusing on the hypotensive and anti-obesity properties of nutritionally derived bioactive peptides. The role of the renin-angiotensin system has long been established in the aetiology of metabolic diseases and hypertension. Targeting the renin-angiotensin system by inhibiting the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and preventing the formation of angiotensin II can be a potential therapeutic approach to the treatment of hypertension and obesity. Fish-derived proteins and peptides can potentially be excellent sources of bioactive components, mainly as a source of ACE inhibitors. However, increased use of marine sources, poses an unsustainable burden on particular fish stocks, so, the underutilized fish species and by-products can be exploited for this purpose. This paper provides an overview of the techniques involved in the production, isolation, purification, and characterization of bioactive peptides from marine sources, as well as the evaluation of the ACE inhibitory (ACE-I) activity and bioavailability.

Plants with potential use on obesity and its complications

Obesity is the most prevalent nutritional disease and a growing public health problem worldwide. This disease is a causal component of the metabolic syndrome related with abnormalities, including hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, inflammation, among others. There are anti-obesity drugs, affecting the fundamental processes of the weight regulation; however they have shown serious side effects, which outweigh their beneficial effects. Most recent studies on the treatment of obesity and its complications have focused on the potential role of different plants preparation that can exert a positive effect on the mechanisms involved in this pathology. For instance, anti-obesity effects of green tea and its isolated active principles have been reported in both in vitro (cell cultures) and in vivo (animal models) that possess healthy effects, decreasing adipose tissue through reduction of adipocytes differentiation and proliferation. A positive effect in lipid profile, and lipid and carbohydrates metabolisms were demonstrated as well. In addition, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities were studied. However, the consumption of green tea and its products is not that common in Western countries, where other plants with similar bioactivity predominate; nevertheless, the effect extension has not been analyzed in depth, despite of their potential as alternative treatment for obesity. In this review the anti-obesity potential and reported mechanisms of action of diverse plants such as: Camellia sinensis, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Hypericum perforatum, Persea americana, Phaseolus vulgaris, Capsicum annuum, Rosmarinus officinalis, Ilex paraguariensis, Citrus paradisi, Citrus limon, Punica granatum, Aloe vera, Taraxacum officinale and Arachis hypogaea is summarized. We consider the potential of these plants as natural alternative treatments of some metabolic alterations associated with obesity.

Beta-Glucan-Rich Extract from Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Singer Prevents Obesity and Oxidative Stress in C57BL/6J Mice Fed on a High-Fat Diet

Mushrooms have been used in folk medicine for thousands of years. In this study, the effect of β-glucan-rich extract of P. sajor-caju (GE) on lipid lowering and antioxidant potential was assessed in C57BL/6J mice fed on a high-fat diet. Obesity was induced in C57BL/6J mice by feeding a high-fat diet. The control groups in this study were ND (for normal diet) and HFD (for high-fat diet). The treated groups were ND240 (for normal diet) (240 mg/kg b.w) and HFD60, HFD120, and HFD240 (for high-fat diet), where the mice were administrated with three dosages of GE (60, 120, and 240 mg GE/kg b.w). Metformin (2 mg/kg b.w) served as positive control. GE-treated groups showed significantly reduced body weight, serum lipid, and liver enzymes levels. GE also attenuated protein carbonyl and lipid hydroperoxide levels by increasing the enzymic antioxidants (SOD, CAT, and GPx) activities in the mice. GE-treated groups induced the expression of hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) while downregulated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), sterol regulatory binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), and lipoprotein lipase (LPL). Hence, GE prevented weight gain in the mice by inducing lipolysis and may be valuable in the formulation of adjuvant therapy for obesity.

Glucan-rich polysaccharides from Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Singer prevents glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and inflammation in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet

Background

Pleurotus sajor-caju (P. sajor-caju) has been extremely useful in the prevention of diabetes mellitus due to its low fat and high soluble fiber content for thousands of years. Insulin resistance is a key component in the development of diabetes mellitus which is caused by inflammation. In this study, we aimed to investigate the in vivo efficacy of glucan-rich polysaccharide of P. sajor-caju (GE) against diabetes mellitus and inflammation in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet.

Methods

Diabetes was induced in C57BL/6J mice by feeding a high-fat diet. The mice were randomly assigned to 7 groups (n=6 per group). The control groups in this study were ND (for normal diet) and HFD (for high-fat diet). The treated groups were ND240 (for normal diet) (240 mg/kg b.w) and HFD60, HFD120 and HFD240 (for high-fat), where the mice were administrated with three dosages of GE (60, 120, 240 mg GE/kg b.w respectively). Metformin (2 mg/kg b.w) served as positive control. The glucose tolerance test, glucose and insulin levels were measured at the end of 16 weeks. Expressions of genes for inflammatory markers, GLUT-4 and adiponectin in the adipose tissue of the mice were assessed. One-way ANOVA and Duncan’s multiple range tests (DMRT) were used to determine the significant differences between groups.

Results

GE treated groups improved the glucose tolerance, attenuated hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia in the mice by up-regulating the adiponectin and GLUT-4 gene expressions. The mice in GE treated groups did not develop insulin resistance. GE also down-regulated the expression of inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-α, SAA2, CRP and MCP-1) via attenuation of nuclear transcription factors (NF-κB).

Conclusion

Glucan-rich polysaccharide of P. sajor-caju can serve as a potential agent for prevention of glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and inflammation.

Indole-based fibrates as potential hypolipidemic and antiobesity agents

Hypolipidemic and antiobesity effects of the newly synthesized indole-based fibrates were evaluated in Triton WR-1339 and high fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemic rats. Preliminary screening of all the synthesized compounds was done by using an acute model (Triton model), in which compounds 3f and 3l showed significant antidyslipidemic activity. Furthermore, these compounds 3f and 3l were found to induce significant weight loss in the visceral fat mass of HFD-fed hyperlipidemic rats without affecting the normal feeding behavior. Histological examination of the liver of rats supplemented with 3f and 3l revealed a significant decrease in steatosis when compared to the effect of the standard drug fenofibrate. Additional effects such as an increase in lecithin cholesterol acyl-transferase (LCAT) enzyme level and increased receptor mediated catabolism of I(131)-low density lipoproteins (LDL) confirm and reinforce the efficacy of both of these compounds as a new class of dual-acting hypolipidemic and antiobesity agents.