Baicalein Enhances the Effect of Acarbose on the Improvement of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Associated with Prediabetes via the Inhibition of De Novo Lipogenesis

Acarbose ameliorates Western diet-induced metabolic and cognitive impairments in the 3xTg mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

Age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) as well as for other disorders that increase the risk of AD such as diabetes and obesity. There is growing interest in determining if interventions that promote metabolic health can prevent or delay AD. Acarbose is an anti-diabetic drug that not only improves glucose homeostasis, but also extends the lifespan of wild-type mice. Here, we test the hypothesis that acarbose will not only preserve metabolic health, but also slow or prevent AD pathology and cognitive deficits in 3xTg mice, a model of AD, fed either a Control diet or a high-fat, high-sucrose Western diet (WD). We find that acarbose decreases the body weight and adiposity of WD-fed 3xTg mice, increasing energy expenditure while also stimulating food consumption, and improves glycemic control. Both male and female WD-fed 3xTg mice have worsened cognitive deficits than Control-fed mice, and these deficits are ameliorated by acarbose treatment. Molecular and histological analysis of tau and amyloid pathology identified sex-specific effects of acarbose which are uncoupled from the dramatic improvements in cognition, suggesting that the benefits of acarbose on AD are largely driven by improved metabolic health. In conclusion, our results suggest that acarbose may be a promising intervention to prevent, delay, or even treat AD, especially in individuals consuming a Western diet.

A narrative review on the mechanism of natural flavonoids in improving glucolipid metabolism disorders

Glucolipid metabolism disorder (GLMD) is a complex chronic disease characterized by glucose and lipid metabolism disorders with a complex and diverse etiology and rapidly increasing incidence. Many studies have identified the role of flavonoids in ameliorating GLMD, with mechanisms related to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, nuclear factor kappa-B, AMP-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2, glucose transporter type 4, and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/protein kinase B pathway. However, a comprehensive summary of the flavonoid effects on GLMD is lacking. This study reviewed the roles and mechanisms of natural flavonoids with different structures in the treatment of GLMD reported globally in the past 5 years and provides a reference for developing flavonoids as drugs for treating GLMD.

Flavonoids intake and weight-adjusted waist index: insights from a cross-sectional study of NHANES

This study conducted data on 15,446 adults to explore the impact of flavonoids on weight-adjusted waist index (WWI). This was a nationwide cross-sectional study among US adults aged 20 years or older. Dietary intake of flavonoids was assessed through 24-h recall questionnaire. WWI was calculated by dividing waist circumference (WC) by the square root of weight. We utilized weighted generalized linear regression to evaluate the association between flavonoids intake and WWI, and restricted cubic splines (RCS) to explore potential non-linear relationships. Our findings indicated that individuals with lower WWI experienced a notable increase in their consumption of total flavonoids, flavanones, flavones, flavan-3-ols, and anthocyanidins intake (β (95% CI); -0.05(-0.09, -0.01); -0.07(-0.13, 0.00); -0.07(-0.11, -0.02); -0.06(-0.11, 0.00); -0.13(-0.18, -0.08), respectively), with the exception of flavonols and isoflavones. Additionally, consumption of total flavonoids, flavonols, flavanones, isoflavones, and flavan-3-ols had a non-linear relationship with WWI (all P for non-linearity < 0.05). Furthermore, the effect of total flavonoids on WWI varied in race (P for interaction = 0.011), gender (P for interaction = 0.038), and poverty status (P for interaction = 0.002). These findings suggested that increase the intake of flavonoids might prevent abdominal obesity, but further prospective studies are requested before dietary recommendation.

Examining the Pathogenesis of MAFLD and the Medicinal Properties of Natural Products from a Metabolic Perspective

Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), characterized primarily by hepatic steatosis, has become the most prevalent liver disease worldwide, affecting approximately two-fifths of the global population. The pathogenesis of MAFLD is extremely complex, and to date, there are no approved therapeutic drugs for clinical use. Considerable evidence indicates that various metabolic disorders play a pivotal role in the progression of MAFLD, including lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids, and micronutrients. In recent years, the medicinal properties of natural products have attracted widespread attention, and numerous studies have reported their efficacy in ameliorating metabolic disorders and subsequently alleviating MAFLD. This review aims to summarize the metabolic-associated pathological mechanisms of MAFLD, as well as the natural products that regulate metabolic pathways to alleviate MAFLD.

Exploring the role of genetic variations in NAFLD: implications for disease pathogenesis and precision medicine approaches

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the leading causes of chronic liver diseases, affecting more than one-quarter of people worldwide. Hepatic steatosis can progress to more severe forms of NAFLD, including NASH and cirrhosis. It also may develop secondary diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Genetic and environmental factors regulate NAFLD incidence and progression, making it a complex disease. The contribution of various environmental risk factors, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia, diet, and sedentary lifestyle, to the exacerbation of liver injury is highly understood. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms of genetic variations in the NAFLD occurrence or its deterioration still need to be clarified. Hence, understanding the genetic susceptibility to NAFLD is essential for controlling the course of the disease. The current review discusses genetics' role in the pathological pathways of NAFLD, including lipid and glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, cellular stresses, and immune responses. Additionally, it explains the role of the genetic components in the induction and progression of NAFLD in lean individuals. Finally, it highlights the utility of genetic knowledge in precision medicine for the early diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD patients.

The synbiotic combination of probiotics and inulin improves NAFLD though modulating gut microbiota

Prebiotics can promote the growth of probiotics, cocombine of these is called synbiotics, and synbiotics is powerful regulators of gut microbiota. Intestinal microbiota plays an important role in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), so synbiotics could be a therapeutic alternative. This study aims to investigate the effect of synbiotics combination of probiotics (Streptococcus Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus thermophilus) and prebiotics (Inulin) in vivo model of early NAFLD using yogurt as carrier. The results demonstrate that the yogurt with synbiotics combination group (HS) improves the biochemical indicators related to total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and insulin resistance (IR) in mice (P< .01). HS improves the development of lipid metabolism and inflammation by activating the AMPK and NFκB signaling pathway. In addition, HS restores the intestinal barrier dysfunction and inflammation caused by a high-fat diet. The 16S rRNA demonstrates that the gut microbiota composition of mice treated with HS is significantly altered specifically, the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio is significantly lower than in HFD-fed mice (P< .01). Our findings suggest the applicability of HS in preventing obesity-related NAFLD via its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and improved lipid metabolism by the gut-liver axis and provide a solid theoretical foundation for developing prebiotics for the prevention of NAFLD.

Network Pharmacology, Molecular Docking Analysis and Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Scutellaria baicalensis in the Treatment of Liver Fibrosis

BACKGROUND

Traditional Chinese medicine Scutellaria Baicalensis (SB), one of the clinical firstline heat-clearing drugs, has obvious symptomatic advantages for hepatic fibrosis with dampness-heat stasis as its syndrome. We aim to predict and validate the potential mechanism of Scutellaria baicalensis active ingredients against liver fibrosis more scientifically and effectively.

METHODS

The underlying mechanism of Scutellaria baicalensis in inhibiting hepatic fibrosis was studied by applying network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. Expression levels of markers in activated Hepatic Stellate Cells (HSC) after administration of three Scutellaria baicalensis extracts were determined by Western blot and Real-time PCR, respectively, in order to verify the anti-fibrosis effect of the active ingredients Results: There are 164 common targets of drugs and diseases screened and 115 signaling pathways obtained, which were mainly associated with protein phosphorylation, senescence and negative regulation of the apoptotic process. Western blot and Real-time PCR showed that Scutellaria baicalensis extracts could reduce the expression of HSC activation markers, and Oroxylin A had the strongest inhibitory effect on it. Molecular docking results showed that Oroxylin A had high binding activity to target proteins. Molecular dynamics simulation demonstrates promising stability of the Oroxylin A-AKT1 complex over the simulated MD time of 200 ns.

CONCLUSION

Scutellaria baicalensis active ingredients may inhibit HSC proliferation, reduce the generation of pro-inflammatory factors and block the anti-inflammatory effect of inflammatory signal transduction by inducing HSC apoptosis and senescence, thus achieving the effect of anti-fibrosis.

Dendrobium officinale Polysaccharide Prevents Diabetes via the Regulation of Gut Microbiota in Prediabetic Mice

Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide (DOP), which serves as a prebiotic, exhibits a variety of biological activities, including hypoglycemic activities. However, the effects of DOP on diabetes prevention and its hypoglycemic mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, the effects of DOP treatment on the prediabetic mice model were studied and the mechanism was investigated. The results showed that 200 mg/kg/d of DOP reduced the relative risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) from prediabetes by 63.7%. Meanwhile, DOP decreased the level of LPS and inhibited the expression of TLR4 by regulating the composition of the gut microbiota, consequently relieving the inflammation and alleviating insulin resistance. In addition, DOP increased the abundance of SCFA (short chain fatty acid)-producing bacteria in the intestine, increased the levels of intestinal SCFAs, promoted the expression of short-chain fatty acid receptors FFAR2/FFAR3, and increased the secretion of the intestinal hormones GLP-1 and PYY, which helped to repair islet damage, suppress appetite, and improve insulin resistance. Our results suggested that DOP is a promising functional food supplement for the prevention of T2DM.

Theabrownin of raw and ripened pu-erh tea varies in the alleviation of HFD-induced obesity via the regulation of gut microbiota

PURPOSE

Pu-erh tea can be classified into raw pu-erh tea and ripened pu-erh tea. Theabrownin (TB) is one of the major components of pu-erh tea. The difference of the anti-obesity activity between raw pu-erh tea TB (R-TB) and ripened pu-erh tea TB (F-TB) has not been comprehensively investigated yet. Therefore, this article aimed to systemically study the anti-obesity activity and the underlying mechanism of R-TB and F-TB.

METHOD

High-fat diet (HFD)-induced C57BL/6J mice with obesity were gavaged with R-TB or F-TB to assess the effect of R-TB and F-TB on the amelioration of obesity, the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes, and the regulation of gut flora imbalance.

RESULTS

Administration of both R-TB and F-TB could suppress body weight gain, improve insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis, regulate the lipid level and reduce the chronic inflammation in obese mice. The underlying anti-obesity mechanism of R-TB and F-TB might involve the regulation of lipogenesis and lipolysis, amelioration of the gut microbiota disorder and promotion of microbial metabolism. Interestingly, R-TB was more efficient in the regulation of blood glucose, reduction of inflammation and suppression of partial adipogenesis-related genes and protein, while F-TB was more effective in the inhibition of lipolysis-related genes and protein. In addition, F-TB might be more effective in adjusting the dysbacteria caused by HFD back to normal by promoting the proliferation of the beneficial microbiota, such as Lactobacillus and Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, both R-TB and F-TB had the potential to be developed as beneficial dietary supplements or functional foods for ameliorating obesity and obesity-related metabolic disorders, but their effects and the ability to regulate the intestinal flora varied.

TiO2-MXene/PEDOT:PSS Composite as a Novel Electrochemical Sensing Platform for Sensitive Detection of Baicalein

In this work, TiO2-MXene/poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) composite was utilized as an electrode material for the sensitive electrochemical detection of baicalein. The in-situ growth of TiO2 nanoparticles on the surface of MXene nanosheets can effectively prevent their aggregation, thus presenting a significantly large specific surface area and abundant active sites. However, the partial oxidation of MXene after calcination could reduce its conductivity. To address this issue, herein, PEDOT:PSS films were introduced to disperse the TiO2-MXene materials. The uniform and dense films of PEDOT:PSS not only improved the conductivity and dispersion of TiO2-MXene but also enhanced its stability and electrocatalytic activity. With the advantages of a composite material, TiO2-MXene/PEDOT:PSS as an electrode material demonstrated excellent electrochemical sensing ability for baicalein determination, with a wide linear response ranging from 0.007 to 10.0 μM and a lower limit of detection of 2.33 nM. Furthermore, the prepared sensor displayed good repeatability, reproducibility, stability and selectivity, and presented satisfactory results for the determination of baicalein in human urine sample analysis.

Baicalein alleviates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice by ameliorating intestinal barrier dysfunction

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the main cause of chronic liver disease, and its pathological development is closely related to the gut-liver axis. The intestinal barrier, an important component of the gut-liver axis, can prevent gut microbes and endotoxins from entering the liver. Intestinal barrier function is impaired in patients with NAFLD. Baicalein, which is the main flavonoid in Scutellariae Radix, can improve NAFLD. However, whether baicalein alleviates NAFLD by ameliorating intestinal barrier dysfunction remains unclear. In this study, a methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet-induced NAFLD mouse model is used. The effects of baicalein on lipid accumulation, inflammation and the intestinal barrier in MCD-fed mice were evaluated by detecting blood lipid levels, lipid accumulation, liver pathological changes, inflammatory factors, inflammatory signaling pathways, the three main short-chain fatty acids (acetate, propionate and butyrate), intestinal permeability and intestinal tight junction protein expression. Compared with the MCD-only group, baicalein intake decreased the serum and liver lipid levels. Moreover, the accumulation of lipid droplets and steatosis in the liver were also alleviated; all these results demonstrated that baicalein could alleviate NAFLD. Meanwhile, the levels of inflammatory cytokines decreased in the baicalein group. Further investigation of the mucosal permeability to 4 kDa fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran, concentrations of short-chain fatty acids in feces, and the expression of intestinal zonula occluden 1 and claudin-1 indicated that a baicalein diet could decrease the intestinal permeability caused by a MCD diet. Moreover, the protein levels of p-NF-κB p65 and the ratio of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 increased, and IκB-α and PPARα decreased in NAFLD mice, while the administration of baicalein could alleviate these changes. The above results indicated that the mechanism of baicalein in the alleviation of NAFLD lies in the regulation of the intestinal barrier.

Qi Gong Wan ameliorates adipocyte hypertrophy and inflammation in adipose tissue in a PCOS mouse model through the Nrf2/HO-1/Cyp1b1 pathway: Integrating network pharmacology and experimental validation in vivo

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Initially recorded in Yifang Jijie (an ancient Chinese text), Qi Gong Wan (QGW) is used to treat obese women with infertility. QGW can help promote follicular development and maturation, regulate the balance of serum hormones between testosterone and estradiol, enhance endometrial receptivity, improve waist circumference, and ameliorate insulin resistance. It contains eight herbs: Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Makino (Banxia), Citrus maxima (Burm.) (Juhong), Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf. (Fuling), Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (Baizhu), Cyperus rotundus L. (Xiangfu), Conioselinum anthriscoides 'Chuanxiong' (Chuanxiong), Massa Medicata Fermentata (Shenqu), and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC. (Gancao). However, the underlying mechanism of how QGW affects women with PCOS remains unclear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

QGW has been widely used to treat PCOS patients with obesity clinically. This study was designed to identify its chemical and pharmacological properties.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Network pharmacology was used to predict the active compounds, potential targets, and pathways of QGW. Female C57BL/6J mice were injected with letrozole and fed a high-fat diet to establish a PCOS-insulin resistance (PCOS-IR) model. Body weight, estrous cycles, ovarian pathology, and serum insulin resistance were measured. qRT-PCR was used to examine the inflammation-related and steroid hormone biosynthesis-related mRNA expression in adipose tissue. Western blotting was used to determine the protein levels of Nrf2, HO-1, and Cyp1b1 in adipose tissue. Molecular docking was used to reveal the key chemical compounds of QGW.

RESULTS

Network pharmacology revealed a total of 91 active ingredients in QGW that were associated with 167 targets. QGW could potentially treat PCOS-IR via nitrogen metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and ovarian steroidogenesis pathways. In the PCOS-IR mouse model, we found that QGW decreased the mean diameter of adipocytes and the total adipocyte area. Furthermore, QGW was found to significantly lower the expression of inflammation-related genes including Tnfɑ and C4a/b and the steroid hormone biosynthesis-related gene Cyp1b1. QGW showed a tendency to improve cystic follicles, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR index in the PCOS-IR mouse model. Combining these findings with the results of KEGG analysis, we conclude that QGW promotes the Nrf2/HO-1/Cyp1b1 pathway to protect adipose tissue under conditions of PCOS. Molecular docking revealed that rutin, nicotiflorin, and baicalein may be the key chemical compounds of QGW through which it improves adipocyte hypertrophy and inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

QGW improved adipocyte hypertrophy and inflammation in the PCOS-IR mouse model by activating the Nrf2/HO-1/Cyp1b1 pathway to protect adipose tissue. Our work thus provides a new research avenue for the study of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of PCOS.

Natural flavonoids: Potential therapeutic strategies for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing rapidly worldwide; however, there are currently limited treatments for NAFLD. The disease spectrum includes simple fatty liver, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, cirrhosis, and progression to hepatocellular carcinoma (NASH-HCC). The therapeutic effects of NAFLD remain controversial. Although researchers have conducted studies on the pathogenesis of NAFLD, its pathogenesis and anti-NAFLD mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Previous studies have found that flavonoids, as natural substances with extensive pharmacological activity and good therapeutic effects, have excellent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, metabolic disease improvement, anti-tumor, and other properties and can significantly alleviate NAFLD. Flavonoids could be further developed as therapeutic drugs for NAFLD. In this paper, the pathogenesis of NAFLD and the mechanisms of flavonoids against NAFLD are summarized to provide a theoretical basis for screening flavonoids against non-alcoholic liver injury.

Mulberry Leaf Extract Improves Metabolic Syndrome by Alleviating Lipid Accumulation In Vitro and In Vivo

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a metabolic disease with multiple complications. Mulberry leaf extract (MLE) is rich in flavonoids and has great potential in alleviating glucose and lipid metabolism disorders. This study evaluated the effect and mechanism of MLE on the alleviation of MS. The components of the MLE were analyzed, and then the regulation of lipid metabolism by MLE in vitro and in vivo was determined. In a hepatocyte model of oleic acid-induced lipid accumulation, it was found that MLE alleviated lipid accumulation and decreased the expression of genes involved in lipogenesis. Furthermore, MLE improved obesity, insulin resistance, plasma lipid profile, and liver function in MS mice after a 15-week intervention. MLE decreased the expression of SREBP1, ACC, and FAS through the AMPK signaling pathway to inhibit lipid synthesis and increase the level of CPT1A to promote lipid decomposition to achieve its hypolipidemic effect. Meanwhile, MLE was also shown to affect the composition of the gut microbiota and the production of short-chain fatty acids, which contributed to the alleviation of lipid accumulation. Our results suggest that MLE can improve MS by improving lipid metabolism through multiple mechanisms and can be developed into dietary supplements for the improvement of MS.

Baicalein Prevents Fructose-Induced Hepatic Steatosis in Rats: In the Regulation of Fatty Acid De Novo Synthesis, Fatty Acid Elongation and Fatty Acid Oxidation

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), ranging from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), hepatic fibrosis and even hepatocellular carcinoma, is a liver disease worldwide without approved therapeutic drugs. Baicalein (BAL), a flavonoid compound extracted from the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Scutellariae Radix (Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi.), has been used in TCM clinical practice for thousands of years to treat liver diseases due to its “hepatoprotective effect”. However, the underlying liver-protecting mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we found that oral administration of BAL significantly decreased excess serum levels of triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) as well as hepatic TG in fructose-fed rats. Attenuation of the increased vacuolization and Oil Red O staining area was evident on hepatic histological examination in BAL-treated rats. Mechanistically, results of RNA-sequencing, western-blot, real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and hepatic metabolomics analyses indicated that BAL decreased fructose-induced excessive nuclear expressions of mature sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (mSREBP1c) and carbohydrate response element-binding protein (ChREBP), which led to the decline of lipogenic molecules [including fatty acid synthase (FASN), stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (SCD1), elongation of very long chain fatty acids 6 (ELOVL6), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC)], accompanying with the alternation of hepatic fatty acids composition. Meanwhile, BAL enhanced fatty acid oxidation by activating AMPK/PGC1α signaling axis and PPARα signal pathway, which elicited high expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1α (CPT1α) and Acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (ACO1) in livers of fructose-fed rats, respectively. BAL ameliorated fructose-induced hepatic steatosis, which is associated with regulating fatty acid synthesis, elongation and oxidation.

α-Lactalbumin peptide Asp-Gln-Trp alleviates hepatic insulin resistance and modulates gut microbiota dysbiosis in high-fat diet-induced NAFLD mice

α-Lactalbumin peptide Asp-Gln-Trp (DQW) alleviates hepatic insulin resistance via activating the IRS1/PI3K/AKT pathway and modulates gut microbiota dysbiosis in high-fat diet-induced NAFLD mice.

Erythritol Improves Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Activating Nrf2 Antioxidant Capacity

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a kind of serious fat disorder that has become a critical problem to human society. Therefore, finding drugs that are safe and effective has become more and more important. Erythritol (Ery) is a polyol sweetener with a variety of biological functions. However, whether Ery has a relieving effect on NAFLD has not been reported yet. Therefore, we induced HepG2 cells with oleic acid and palmitic acid as our in vitro model. Moreover, we choose wild-type mice with tyloxapol and high-fat diet and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) knockout mice with high-fat diet as our in vivo model. We found that Ery could reverse the lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, and endoplasmic reticulum stress caused by the NAFLD model. The mechanism studies showed that Ery promoted the translocation of Nrf2 from cytoplasm to nucleus, and the molecular simulation docking results of Ery and Nrf2 showed that there was a hydrogen bond between them. Moreover, Ery could promote the production of HO-1 and NQO1 antioxidant proteins and inhibit the expression of endoplasmic reticulum stress proteins GPR78, p-PERK, and CHOP. On the contrast, when Nrf2 was knocked out in mice, Ery lost its protective effect on NAFLD. In conclusion, we found that the potential mechanism of Ery's protective effect is that it plays an antioxidant role by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway, thereby inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress and lipid accumulation in NAFLD.