Persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) leaves accelerates skin tissue regeneration in excisional wound model: possible molecular mechanisms

Persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) leaves are a traditional medicinal herb used for treating many infectious and inflammatory-related conditions, including wound healing. To validate its traditional use, our study evaluates the acute toxicity and wound-healing effects of methanolic extracts of Persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) leaves (MEPL) on excisional neck injury in rats. A uniform dorsal neck injury was created for twenty-four Sprague Dawley rats, which were randomly aligned into 4 groups and treated topically twice daily with 0.2 ml of the following: group A, rats treated with 1% CMC; group B, rats received intrasite gel; groups C and D, rats treated with MEPL (0.2 ml of 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively). The toxicity results showed a lack of physiologic alteration or mortality in rats ingested with an oral dosage of up to 5 g/kg of MEPL. Histological screening of regenerated skin tissues revealed higher deposition of collagen, fibroblast cells, and reduced inflammatory cells in MEPL-treated rats. The topical application of MEPL led to positive modulation of Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 (angiogenetic factor) in wound tissues, indicating increased tissue regeneration and faster wound contraction. MEPL treatment caused a significant elevation of tissue antioxidants (superoxide dismutase and catalase) and hydroxyproline (collagen) contents while reducing malondialdehyde contents. The inflammatory mediators (TNF-α and IL-6) were lower, and anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 10) were higher in MEPL-treated rats than in the vehicle group. The study outcomes back up the traditional use of MEPL for wound healing, which could be linked with its phytochemicals (flavonoids and terpenoids) that require further isolation and molecular identification.

Efficacy of a Dietary Supplement Extracted from Persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.f.) in Overweight Healthy Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Clinical Trial

A single-center, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial assessed the efficacy in improving body composition and in weight management of a dietary supplement consisting of 400 mg of a standardized extract of the persimmon fruit (Diospyros kaki L.f.) in adult subjects with a BMI between 25 and 34.99 kg/m2 administered for 120 consecutive days. In total, 36 participants were assigned to the placebo group and 35 to the experimental group (registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05750342)). Primary analysis focused on overweight subjects (placebo, n = 26; experimental, n = 23). In this group, fat mass expressed in kg and percentage evaluated by both dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) decreased significantly (between-group differences p < 0.001) in those receiving the persimmon extract as compared with the placebo. No significant reduction in lean mass was observed, suggesting that the muscle mass was maintained during fat loss. The use of the investigational product improved classic anthropometric parameters to a statistically significantly greater extent than the placebo, including body weight, BMI, and waist and abdominal circumference (p < 0.001), in the overweight group. In the overall population, similar improvements were observed, with significant between-group differences (p < 0.001) in fat mass reduction and improvements in body composition. Changes in the biochemical lipidic, glycemic, and anti-inflammatory profile were not found, except for between-group significant differences (p < 0.001) in decreases in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) and increases in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in favor of the experimental condition. There was a significant increase in fecal fat excretion in the experimental group at the end of the study in subjects with low fecal fat (9%) at baseline. Consumption of the investigational product vs. placebo improved the quality of life, with significantly greater scores in the total score and the mental health component of the SF-12 questionnaire. The persimmon extract was safe and well tolerated.

Revisiting dietary proanthocyanidins on blood glucose homeostasis from a multi-scale structural perspective

Multi-dimensional studies have consistently indicated the benefits of dietary proanthocyanidins on blood glucose homeostasis through consumption of them from fruits, cereals and nuts. Proanthocyanidins from various sources possess different structures, but even the minor variations in structures influence their regulation on blood glucose, including the degree of polymerization, galloacylation at C3, number of hydroxyl groups in B ring and linkage type. Therefore, this Review details the role of three types of proanthocyanidins (procyanidins, prodelphinidins and propelargonidins) in blood glucose control and their underlying mechanisms, and various structural features contribute to. Due to the extremely low bioavailability, proanthocyanidins mainly ameliorate high blood glucose by luminal effects: inhibit enzyme activities, improve the structure of gut microbiota, and protect the intestinal barrier function. A few absorbed proanthocyanidins exert insulin-like effects on targeted organs. Prodelphinidin gallates exhibit greater hypoglycemic activities than others, due to their galloacylation at C3 and high amounts of hydroxyl groups in B ring. Because of different action pathways, comprehensive consideration on the degree of polymerization, linkage type and density of hydroxyl groups was required. Further understanding of these relationships can concrete diet therapeutic opportunities for proanthocyanidins.

Polyphenols: Chemistry, bioavailability, bioactivity, nutritional aspects and human health benefits: A review

Polyphenols, including phenolics, alkaloids, and terpenes, are secondary metabolites that are commonly found in fruits, vegetables, and beverages, such as tea, coffee, wine, chocolate, and beer. These compounds have gained considerable attention and market demand because of their potential health benefits. However, their application is limited due to their low absorption rates and reduced tissue distribution efficiency. Engineering polyphenol-protein complexes or conjugates can enhance the antioxidant properties, bioavailability, and stability of polyphenols and improve digestive enzyme hydrolysis, target-specific delivery, and overall biological functions. Complex polyphenols, such as melanin, tannins, and ellagitannins, can promote gut microbiota balance, bolster antioxidant defense, and improve overall human health. Despite these benefits, the safety of polyphenol complexes must be thoroughly evaluated before their use as functional food additives or supplements. This review provides a detailed overview of the types of macromolecular polyphenols, their chemical composition, and their role in food enrichment. The mechanisms by which complex polyphenols act as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer agents have also been discussed.

Chinese herbal medicines: The modulator of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease targeting oxidative stress

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Plants are a natural treasure trove; their secondary metabolites participate in several pharmacological processes, making them a crucial component in the synthesis of novel pharmaceuticals and serving as a reserve resource foundation in this process. Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with the risk of progression to hepatitis and liver cancer. The "Treatise on Febrile Diseases," "Compendium of Materia Medica," and "Thousand Golden Prescriptions" have listed herbal remedies to treat liver diseases.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

Chinese herbal medicines have been widely used for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD owing to their efficacy and low side effects. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during NAFLD, and the impact and potential mechanism of ROS on the pathogenesis of NAFLD are discussed in this review. Furthermore, common foods and herbs that can be used to prevent NAFLD, as well as the structure-activity relationships and potential mechanisms, are discussed.

METHODS

Web of Science, PubMed, CNKI database, Google Scholar, and WanFang database were searched for natural products that have been used to treat or prevent NAFLD in the past five years. The primary search was performed using the following keywords in different combinations in full articles: NAFLD, herb, natural products, medicine, and ROS. More than 400 research papers and review articles were found and analyzed in this review.

RESULTS

By classifying and discussing the literature, we obtained 86 herbaceous plants, 28 of which were derived from food and 58 from Chinese herbal medicines. The mechanism of NAFLD was proposed through experimental studies on thirteen natural compounds (quercetin, hesperidin, rutin, curcumin, resveratrol, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, salvianolic acid B, paeoniflorin, ginsenoside Rg1, ursolic acid, berberine, honokiol, emodin). The occurrence and progression of NAFLD could be prevented by natural antioxidants through several pathways to prevent ROS accumulation and reduce hepatic cell injuries caused by excessive ROS.

CONCLUSION

This review summarizes the natural products and routinely used herbs (prescription) in the prevention and treatment of NAFLD. Firstly, the mechanisms by which natural products improve NAFLD through antioxidant pathways are elucidated. Secondly, the potential of traditional Chinese medicine theory in improving NAFLD is discussed, highlighting the safety of food-medicine homology and the broader clinical potential of multi-component formulations in improving NAFLD. Aiming to provide theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.

Advances in Research on Marine-Derived Lipid-Lowering Active Substances and Their Molecular Mechanisms

Hyperlipidemia (HLP) is a metabolic disorder caused by abnormal lipid metabolism. Recently, the prevalence of HLP caused by poor dietary habits in the population has been increasing year by year. In addition, lipid-lowering drugs currently in clinical use have shown significant improvement in blood lipid levels, but are accompanied by certain side effects. However, bioactive marine substances have been shown to possess a variety of physiological activities such as hypoglycemic, antioxidant, antithrombotic and effects on blood pressure. Therefore, the hypolipidemic efficacy of marine bioactive substances with complex and diverse structures has also attracted attention. This paper focuses on the therapeutic role of marine-derived polysaccharides, unsaturated fatty acids, and bioactive peptides in HLP, and briefly discusses the main mechanisms by which these substances exert their hypolipidemic activity in vivo.

Effects of dietary supplementation with microencapsulated Galla chinensis tannins on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and lipid metabolism of young broiler chickens

This study aimed to investigate the impacts of dietary supplementation with Galla chinensis tannins (GCT) on the growth performance, antioxidant capacity, and lipid metabolism of young broilers. Overall, a total of 216 healthy 1 day-old broilers were randomly allocated to CON group and GCT group, and provided with a basal diet or a basal diet added with 300 mg/kg microencapsulated GCT, respectively, in a 21 days trial. Our findings indicated that dietary GCT addition had no significant effects (p > 0.05) on growth performance. However, GCT supplementation led to a significant reduction in the total cholesterol (TC) concentration in the serum and liver (p < 0.05). Furthermore, GCT supplementation significantly increased the ratios of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and HDL to TC in the serum, in addition to elevating the activities of enzymes related to lipid metabolism in the liver (p < 0.05). Dietary GCT addition also improved the antioxidant capacity of the broilers, as evidenced by a significant decrease in the concentration of malondialdehyde in serum and liver (p < 0.05). Additionally, the GCT group exhibited significantly increased expressions of hepatic genes associated with antioxidant enzymes (HO-1, GPX1, SOD2, SIRT1, CPT-1, and PPARα) (p < 0.05), while the mRNA expression of SREBP-1 was significantly decreased (p < 0.05) compared with the CON group. In conclusion, dietary addition of 300 mg/kg microencapsulated GCT improved the antioxidant status and lipid metabolism of broilers without affecting their growth performance.

Activity and potential mechanisms of action of persimmon tannins according to their structures: A review

One distinguishing feature of the persimmon, that differentiates it from other fruits, is its high proanthocyanidins content, known as persimmon tannin (PT). Despite the poor absorption of PT in the small intestine, results from animal studies demonstrate that PT has many health benefits. Our goal in this review is to summarize the literature that elucidates the relationship between PT structure and activity. In addition, we also summarize the potential mechanisms underlying the health benefits that result from PT consumption; this includes the hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiradiation, antibacterial and antiviral, detoxification effects on snake venom, and the absorption of heavy metals and dyes. Studies show that PT is a structurally distinct proanthocyanidins that exhibits a high degree of polymerization. It is galloylation-rich and possesses unique A-type interflavan linkages in addition to the more common B-type interflavan bonds. Thus, PT is converted into oligomeric proanthocyanidins by depolymerization strategies, including the nucleophilic substitution reaction, acid hydrolysis, and hydrogenolysis. In addition, multiple health benefits exerted by PT mainly involve the inactivation of lipogenic and intracellular inflammatory signaling pathways, activation of the fatty acid oxidation signaling pathway, regulation of gut microbiota, and highly absorptive properties.

Hepatoprotective Effect of Parijoto Fruit Extract (Medinilla speciosa Blume) on Male Mice Fed with High-Fat Diet

This study aims to determine the effectiveness of parijoto fruit extract (Medinilla speciosa Blume) in improving the condition of fatty liver in male balb/c mice (Mus musculus L.) fed with a high-fat diet. Thirty male balb/c mice weighing 20 to 30 g were randomly divided into six groups, i.e: 1) Standard feed and Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sodium or CMC-Na 0.5% (K1); 2) High-fat diet and CMC-Na 0.5% (K2); 3) High-fat diet and simvastatin 0.026 mg/day (K3); 4) High-fat diet and parijoto fruit extract 5.6 mg/20 g BW (P1); 5) High-fat diet and parijoto fruit extract 8.4 mg/20 g BW (P2); 6) High-fat diet and parijoto fruit extract 11.2 mg/20 g BW (P3). Standard feed, high-fat diet, simvastatin, and parijoto fruit extract were administered for 56 days. On the 57th day, the total of 30 mice were terminated and the livers were then removed for H&E staining histopathological slides. Data on the degree of fatty liver on histopathological slides were collected and analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and followed by the Mann-Whitney test. The histopathological analysis showed Medinilla speciosa Blume extract at a dose of 5.6 mg/20 g BW in group P1 prevent the steatosis degree compared to high-fat feed mice in group K2 (p>0.05). Parijoto fruit extract could act as the potential treatment for fatty liver.

Supplemental wheat germ modulates phosphorylation of STAT3 in the gut and NF-κBp65 in the adipose tissue of mice fed a Western diet

Background

Commensal gut bacteria, including Lactobacillus, can produce metabolites that stimulate the release of gut antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) via the signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)3 pathway and prevent obesity-associated leaky gut and chronic inflammation. We have previously reported that wheat germ (WG) selectively increased cecal Lactobacillus in obese mice.

Objectives

This study investigated the effects of WG on gut STAT3 activation and AMPs (Reg3γ and Reg3β) as well as the potential of WG to inhibit nuclear Nf-κB-activation and immune cell infiltration in the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) of mice fed a Western diet (i.e., high-fat and sucrose diet [HFS]).

Methods

Six-wk-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n = 12/group): control (C, 10% fat and sucrose kcal) or HFS (45% fat and 26% sucrose kcal) diet with or without 10% WG (wt/wt) for 12 wk. Assessments include serum metabolic parameters jejunal AMPs genes, inflammatory markers, and phosphorylation of STAT3 as well as VAT NF-κBp65. Independent and interaction effects of HFS and WG were analyzed with a 2-factor ANOVA.

Results

WG significantly improved markers of insulin resistance and upregulated jejunal Il10 and Il22 genes. The HFS + WG group had a 15-fold increase in jejunal pSTAT3 compared with the HFS group. Consequently, WG significantly upregulated jejunal mRNA expression of Reg3γ and Reg3β. The HFS group had a significantly higher VAT NF-κBp65 phosphorylation than the C group, while the HFS + WG group suppressed this to the level of C. Moreover, VAT Il6 and Lbp genes were downregulated in the HFS + WG group compared with HFS. Genes related to macrophage infiltration in the VAT were repressed in the WG-fed mice.

Conclusion

These findings show the potential of WG to influence vital regulatory pathways in the gut and adipose tissue which may reduce the chronic inflammatory burden on these tissues that are important targets in obesity and insulin resistance.

Pluchea indica Leaf Extract Alleviates Dyslipidemia and Hepatic Steatosis by Modifying the Expression of Lipid Metabolism-Related Genes in Rats Fed a High Fat-High Fructose Diet

This study evaluated the effect of Pluchea indica leaf extract (PIE) on dyslipidemia and lipid accumulation in the liver, emphasizing its molecular mechanisms in regulating lipid metabolism in rats fed a high fat-high fructose diet (HFFD). Male rats were fed HFFD (40% lard and 20% fructose) for ten weeks. They were then divided into four groups receiving distilled water, PIE (100 or 300 mg/kg/d), and pioglitazone (10 mg/kg/d) for a further six weeks, during which the HFFD was continued. After the experiment, fasting blood glucose (FBG), oral glucose tolerance (OGT), serum insulin and leptin levels, lipid profiles, and hepatic triglyceride content were measured. Histological examination and expression levels of lipid metabolism-related genes in the liver were measured. HFFD-fed rats indicated a significantly increased FBG, serum leptin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) scores with impaired OGT and dyslipidemia compared to rats fed a normal diet. PIE significantly reduced FBG, serum leptin, and HOMA-IR scores and improved OGT. Additionally, PIE significantly improved dyslipidemia and decreased serum-free fatty acids and liver triglyceride content. Hepatic histological examination showed a marked reduction lipid accumulation in relation to HFFD controls. Interestingly, PIE significantly downregulated the expression of lipid synthesis-related genes and upregulated the expression of fatty-acid oxidation-related genes. In conclusion, PIE alleviates dyslipidemia and hepatic steatosis in HFFD rats plausibly by increasing insulin resistance and modifying the gene expression associated with lipid metabolism. PIE may be used as preventive nutrition for dyslipidemia and hepatic steatosis.

Proanthocyanidins at the gastrointestinal tract: mechanisms involved in their capacity to mitigate obesity-associated metabolic disorders

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is continually increasing worldwide. Obesity is a major public health concern given the multiple associated comorbidities. Finding dietary approaches to prevent/mitigate these conditions is of critical relevance. Proanthocyanidins (PACs), oligomers or polymers of flavan-3-ols that are extensively distributed in nature, represent a major part of total dietary polyphenols. Although current evidence supports the capacity of PACs to mitigate obesity-associated comorbidities, the underlying mechanisms remain speculative due to the complexity of PACs' structure. Given their limited bioavailability, the major site of the biological actions of intact PACs is the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This review discusses the actions of PACs at the GI tract which could underlie their anti-obesity effects. These mechanisms include: i) inhibition of digestive enzymes at the GI lumen, including pancreatic lipase, α-amylase, α-glucosidase; ii) modification of gut microbiota composition; iii) modulation of inflammation- and oxidative stress-triggered signaling pathways, e.g. NF-κB and MAPKs; iv) protection of the GI barrier integrity. Further understanding of the mechanisms and biological activities of PACs at the GI tract can contribute to develop nutritional and pharmacological strategies oriented to mitigate the serious comorbidities of obesity.

Quantitative proteomics analysis based on tandem mass tag labeling coupled with labeling coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry discovers the effect of silibinin on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in mice

In recent years, the beneficial effects of silibinin (SIL) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have attracted widespread attention. We tried to study the intervention effect of SIL on NAFLD, and explore the potential mechanisms and targets of SIL on NAFLD improvement. Thirty-three male C57BL6/J mice were divided into three groups, and, respectively, fed a normal diet (ND), a high-fat diet (HFD) or a HFD given SIL treatment (HFD+SIL). Biochemical indexes and histopathological changes of mice in each group were detected. In addition, quantitative proteomics analysis based on tandem mass tag (TMT) labeling coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and bioinformatics analysis was performed on protein changes in the livers. SIL could reduce the weight of mice, reduce liver lipid deposition, and improve glucose metabolism. Through comparison among the three experimental groups, a total of 30 overlapping proteins were found. These identified proteins were closely linked to liver lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis. Moreover, some drug targets were found, namely perilipin-2, phosphatidate phosphatase LPIN1, farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, and glutathione S-transferase A1. In conclusions, high-fat diet increases the expressions of proteins implicated in lipid synthesis and transport in the liver, which can result in disorders of liver lipid metabolism. SIL can decrease liver lipid deposition and increase insulin sensitivity by regulating the expressions of these proteins. It not only improves the disorder of lipid metabolism in vivo, but also improves the disorder of glucose metabolism.

Dietary Intake of Hydrolyzable Tannins and Condensed Tannins to Regulate Lipid Metabolism

Lipid metabolism disorder is a multifactor issue, which contributes to several serious health consequences, such as obesity, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver etc. Tannins, applied as natural derived plant, are commonly used in the study of lipid metabolism disease with excellent safety and effectiveness, while producing less toxic and side effects. Meanwhile, recognition of the significance of dietary tannins in lipid metabolism disease prevention has increased. As suggested by existing evidence, dietary tannins can reduce lipid accumulation, block adipocyte differentiation, enhance antioxidant capacity, increase the content of short-chain fatty acids, and lower blood lipid levels, thus alleviating lipid metabolism disorder. This study is purposed to sum up and analyze plenty of documents on tannins, so as to provide the information required to assess the lipid metabolism of tannins.

In Vitro and In Vivo Digestion of Persimmon and Derived Products: A Review

The link between nutrition and health has focused on the strategy of diet-based programs to deal with various physiological threats, such as cardiovascular disease, oxidative stress, and diabetes. Therefore, the consumption of fruits and vegetables as a safeguard for human health is increasingly important. Among fruits, the intake of persimmon is of great interest because several studies have associated its consumption with health benefits due to its high content of bioactive compounds, fiber, minerals, and vitamins. However, during digestion, some changes take place in persimmon nutritional compounds that condition their subsequent use by the human body. In vitro studies indicate different rates of recovery and bioaccessibility depending on the bioactive compound and the matrix in which they are found. In vivo studies show that the pharmacological application of persimmon or its functional components, such as proanthocyanidins, can help to prevent hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia. Thus, persimmon and persimmon derived products have the potential to be a fruit recommended for diet therapy. This review aims to compile an updated review of the benefits of persimmon and its derived products, focusing on the in vitro and in vivo digestibility of the main nutrients and bioactive compounds.

Inhibition of advanced glycation endproducts formation by lotus seedpod oligomeric procyanidins through RAGE-MAPK signaling and NF-κB activation in high-AGEs-diet mice

This study investigated the modulatory effects of lotus seedpod oligomeric procyanidins (LSOPC) on the advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs)-induced liver injury via advanced glycation end-product receptors (RAGE)-mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK)-nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathways in a mice model. To examine the antioxidation properties of LSOPC, a model of high-AGEs-diet were established using Sprague Dawley (SD) male mice fed with a normal AIN-93G diet, a high AGEs diet (H), or H plus 0.5 or 0.2% (w/w) LSOPC for 12 weeks. Our results showed that LSOPC inhibited the AGEs formation and alleviated AGEs-induced liver injury by suppressing the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and activation of the MAPK signaling pathway. Additionally, LSOPC inhibited the genes expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Taken together, LSOPC treatment potentially inhibited the AGEs formation and modulated liver injury with long-term dietary AGEs by suppressing RAGE-MAPK-NF-κB pathways.

Effect of different levels of hydrolysable tannin intake on the reproductive hormones and serum biochemical indices in healthy female rats

The present work aimed to find out the effect of different levels of hydrolysable tannin (HT) on serum hormonal profile, biochemical indices, lipid profile, apparent digestibility of nutrients and body weight gain in healthy female rats. Forty five adult healthy female rats of 8 weeks old were randomly divided into five equal groups. Different doses of HT 0, 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2% were administered daily to each rats group on the body weight basis for 6 weeks. The results had shown the reduction trend (p < 0.05) in the blood glucose, serum cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, testosterone, prolactin, ghrelin, total oxidative stress and serum iron levels; while an improvement (p < 0.05) was seen in serum follicle stimulating hormone, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, high density lipoprotein, IgM and total antioxidant capacity. However, no effect (p > 0.05) was noticed in serum IgG, protein, estrogen and calcium levels. A significant reduction (p < 0.05) was seen in the apparent nutrient digestibility and body weight gain. The results had shown improvement in the feed conversion ratio (p < 0.05) but non-significant decrease (p > 0.05) in the feed intake. The findings showed that HT had healthy effects on the serum biochemical indices and reproductive hormonal profile but had a negative impact on the nutrient digestibility. Thus, the study concluded that HT could be used as an herbal medicine for the treatment of leading metabolic and infertility diseases like obesity and polycystic ovarian syndrome in females.

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) Extract Affects Plasma Lipid Metabolism and Hepatic Macrophage Infiltration in Diabetic Rats

Background:

Chronic hyperglycemia is known to be a high-risk factor for progressive chronic liver diseases, such as abnormal lipid metabolism. The activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) has a beneficial effect on dyslipidemia. Polyphenols derived from various plants are involved in AMPK activation.

Objective:

We investigated the effects of polyphenol-containing sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) extract (SE) on plasma lipid metabolism and macrophage infiltration, and measured the expression and phosphorylation of AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) in diabetic rat livers.

Methods:

Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats received 0, 50, or 250 mg/kg of SE orally for 4 weeks. Blood chemistry, total and phosphorylated protein levels of AMPK and ACC, sterol regulatory element- binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) mRNA and protein levels, and macrophage infiltration in the livers were examined.

Results:

Plasma glucose and triacylglycerol levels, which were increased in the untreated diabetic rats, were significantly lower in the 250 mg/kg SE-treated diabetic rats. AMPK and ACC phosphorylation levels were significantly increased in the 250 mg/kg SE-treated diabetic rats compared with those in the untreated rats. There was no difference in the hepatic expression of SREBP-1c between the diabetic rat groups. Macrophage infiltration in the liver was suppressed by 250 mg/kg of SEtreatment.

Conclusion:

These data suggest that SE treatment may affect plasma lipid metabolism and chronic inflammation by upregulating phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC in diabetic rat livers.

The protective mechanisms of macroalgae Laminaria japonica consumption against lipid metabolism disorders in high-fat diet-induced hyperlipidemic rats

Macroalgae Laminaria japonica (MLJ) has been reported to exhibit various biological activities including improving immunity, anti-aging, anti-tumor, anti-atherosclerosis and anti-diabetic, but the protective mechanisms of MLJ consumption against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) associated with hyperlipidemia remain poorly understood. This study demonstrated that MLJ consumption prevented high-fat diet (HFD)-induced NAFLD associated with hyperlipidemia in a rat model, and improved hyperlipidemia-related parameters, e.g. serum and hepatic lipid profiles. Moreover, histological analysis showed that MLJ reduced lipid deposition in adipocytes and hepatocytes compared with the HFD group. Such beneficial effects may be associated with the modulation of the intestinal microbiota, especially some key microbial phylotypes involved in lipid metabolism homeostasis. The underlying protective mechanisms of MLJ consumption against HFD-induced NAFLD associated with hyperlipidemia were also studied by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with quadruple-time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF/MS)-based liver metabolomics coupled with pathway analysis. The metabolic pathway enrichment analysis of the differentially abundant hepatic metabolites indicated that primary bile acid biosynthesis metabolism and cysteine and methionine metabolism were the two main metabolic pathways altered by MLJ consumption when compared with the model group. The analysis of the transcription levels of liver-related genes by RT-qPCR and the expressions of liver-related proteins by immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed that MLJ consumption could regulate the levels of mRNA transcription and protein expression related to hepatic lipid metabolism. In short, this study indicates that MLJ could be developed as functional food supplement for the prevention or treatment of NAFLD associated with hyperlipidemia.

Hydrolysable Tannin Supplementation Alters Digestibility and Utilization of Dietary Protein, Lipid, and Carbohydrate in Grass Carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus)

Tannin, an antinutritional component of plant proteins was fed to grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idellus, 8. 18 ± 0.81 g) for 8 weeks to investigate their tolerance levels. Semi-purified diets (T0, T1, T2, and T3) with varying levels of hydrolysable tannin (0, 0.75, 1.25, and 1.75% respectively) were used. No significant difference was obtained in weight gain, while feed conversion ratio of T0 was significantly lower than T2. Muscle protein content of T0 and T3 were significantly higher than T2, while lipid content of T0 was significantly higher than other groups. Muscle and hepatic glycogen in T0 were significantly lower than other groups. Muscle saturated fatty acids in T3 were significantly higher than T0, and lowest in T1 and T2, while the poly-unsaturated fatty acids in T1 and T2 were higher than T0 and lowest in T3. Significant increases were obtained in trypsin and amylase activities as tannin levels increased, the lipase activity of T0 and T1 was significantly higher than T2 and T3. Activities of hepatic alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase decreased with increasing tannin level. The total protein in serum of T2 was significantly higher than T0 and T1 and lowest in T3, whereas globulin of T2 was significantly higher than T0 and T3 and lowest in T1, while albumin of T1 was significantly higher than other groups. Urea nitrogen of T0 was significantly higher than other groups, triglyceride and total cholesterol significantly increased with tannin level and decreased in T3, significant decreases were obtained in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in T3. mRNA expression of intestinal TOR was significantly upregulated as dietary tannin increased. In hepatopancreas, the expression of glucokinase in T1 was significantly higher than T2, and lowest in T0 and T3, pyruvate kinase in T2 was significantly higher than T0 and T1 and lowest T3. The expression of lipoprotein lipase upregulated as tannin level and downregulated in T3, and fatty acid synthase downregulated as tannin level. In conclusion, grass carp could tolerate 1.75% dietary tannin without influencing growth. However, 1.25% tannin impaired digestion and metabolism of protein, decreased the deposition of lipid and promoted utilization of carbohydrate.

A Comprehensive Review of the Structure Elucidation of Tannins from Terminalia Linn

OBJECTIVES

Tannins with complex structures are important plant resources, which are abundant in the genus Terminalia. Various Terminalia species have been playing an important role in traditional medicine system. A systematic scoping review of Terminalia Linn. research literature for tannins was conducted to summarize the structures of tannins and analysis fragmentation pathway characteristics, which could provide references for the structural analysis of tannins from Terminalia Linn.

METHODS

After an update of the literature search up to September 2018, the terms of Terminalia in all publications were analyzed. Electronic searches were conducted in scifinder and PubMed, and the information from 197 articles in all with regard to the tannin structure study was extracted.

RESULTS

The compounds of 82 tannins from the genus Terminalia were reviewed. According to the structural differences, they can be divided into three categories, hydrolysable tannins, condensed tannins, and complex tannins, respectively. The fragmentation pathways of 46 identified tannins were analyzed, and the fragmentation rules of tannins were speculated according to different types.

CONCLUSION

This review has attracted attention to the active substances in this species such as the tannins summarized in further study. How to improve the extraction and purification technology of tannins from genus Terminalia is an urgent problem to be solved.

Understanding toward the Biophysical Interaction of Polymeric Proanthocyanidins (Persimmon Condensed Tannins) with Biomembranes: Relevance for Biological Effects

Persimmon condensed tannins (PT) are highly polymerized (mDP = 26) and highly galloylated (72%) proanthocyanidins. Its pleiotropic effects in oxidation resistance, neuroprotection, hypolipidemia, and cardio-protection both in vitro and in vivo were widely reported. Because large proanthocyanidins are unlikely to be absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, it is believed that the interaction of PT with biological membranes may play a crucial role in its biological activities. In the present study, the capacities of PT adsorbing to membrane, partitioning into membrane, and its influence on the membrane fluidity were investigated by fluorescence quenching, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and fluorescence anisotropy measurements in a biomembrane-mimetic system composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC), 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (POPE), sphingomyelin (SPM), and cholesterol (CHOL). Besides, the effects of PT on the morphology and integrity of the cell membrane were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fluorescence staining in the 3T3-L1 cell model. The results suggested that PT could affect cell membrane rafts domains, destroy the cell membrane morphology, and regulate cell membrane fluidity, which might contribute to its biological effects.

First demonstration of protective effects of purified mushroom polysaccharide-peptides against fatty liver injury and the mechanisms involved

Fatty liver (FLD) disease is a consequence of metabolic syndrome, which is a health problem worldwide with a phenomenal rise in prevalence. In this study, two hepatoprotective polysaccharide-peptides were extracted from the mushroom Auricularia polytricha followed by chromatographic fractionation of the extract on the ion exchanger DEAE-cellulose and gel filtration on Sephadex-200 to yield two purified fractions: APPI and APPII. The monosaccharide compositions, FT-IR, N-terminal sequences, internal peptide sequences and molecular weights of the two fractions were determined. Furthermore, their hepatoprotective effect on human hepatoma HepG2 cells in vitro and in an animal model of fatty liver disease was evidenced by the findings that APPI and APPII diminished lipid deposit in cells, blood and the liver, increased cellular antioxidant activity and viability, and protected the liver against injury. The mechanistic study revealed that APPI and APPII activated the adiponectin pathway, up-regulated expression of genes controlling free fatty acid (FFA) oxidation, such as AMPK, CPTl, ACOX1 and PPARα genes, enhanced lipid metabolism, preserved hepatic function, promoted the antioxidant defense system and reduced lipid peroxidation. Hence the bioactive compounds of A. polytricha could serve as therapeutic agents in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

Lonicera caerulea Berry Polyphenols Activate SIRT1, Enhancing Inhibition of Raw264.7 Macrophage Foam Cell Formation and Promoting Cholesterol Efflux

Lonicera caerulea berry polyphenols (LCBP) are known to reduce cholesterol accumulation. Currently, it is unknown whether LCBP can activate Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) to regulate the formation of RAW264.7 macrophage foam cells. In this study, the effect of LCBP on lipid accumulation in macrophages was evaluated. Fluorescently labeled ox-LDL and 25-NBD cholesterol were used to detect the ox-LDL uptake and cholesterol outflow rate from macrophages. Gene silencing was performed using siRNA to detect changes in the expression of the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 (SREBP2), and SIRT1 proteins using Western blotting, and changes in the expression of miR-33 were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that treatment with 80 μg/mL LCBP significantly inhibited the accumulation of lipids in RAW264.7 macrophages induced by ox-LDL and reduced intracellular cholesterol levels by activating SIRT1 to enhance the expression of ABCA1, a cholesterol efflux gene, but not independent effect. Of the three key LCBP components investigated, chlorogenic acid was found to activate SIRT1 and regulate the expression of the cholesterol-related factors ABCA1, SREBP2, and miR-33; cyanidin-3-glucoside and catechins were effective to a lesser extent. Our results suggest a novel hypolipidemic mechanism of LCBP.

Tannic acid, a novel histone acetyltransferase inhibitor, prevents non-alcoholic fatty liver disease both in vivo and in vitro model

Objective

We examined the potential of tannic acid (TA) as a novel histone acetyltransferase inhibitor (HATi) and demonstrated that TA prevents non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by inhibiting HAT activity.

Methods

The anti-HAT activity of TA was examined using HAT activity assays. An in vitro NAFLD model was generated by treating HepG2 cells with oleic and palmitic acids. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a control diet (CD) or Western diet (WD) with or without supplementation with either 1% or 3% TA (w/w) for 12 weeks. Finally, the possibility of interacting p300 and TA was simulated.

Results

TA suppressed HAT activity both in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly, TA abrogated occupancy of p300 on the sterol regulatory element in the fatty acid synthase and ATP-citrate lyase promoters, eventually inducing hypoacetylation of H3K9 and H3K36. Furthermore, TA decreased acetylation at lysine residues 9 and 36 of histone H3 protein and that of total proteins. Consequently, TA decreased the mRNA expression of lipogenesis-related genes and attenuated lipid accumulation in vivo. We observed that NAFLD features, including body weight, liver mass, fat mass, and lipid profile in serum, were improved by TA supplementation in vivo. Finally, we demonstrated the possibility that TA directly binds to p300 through docking simulation between ligand and protein.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that TA, a novel HATi, has potential application for the prevention of NAFLD.

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Tannic acid is a general inhibitor of histone acetyltransferase.

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Tannic acid decreases transcriptional activity of the lipogenesis-related genes through its HATi activity.

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Tannic acid ameliorates non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in the western diet-fed mice through its HATi activity.

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Tannic acid binds to EP300, possibly reducing its activity through inducing conformational change of EP300.

Hawthorn Polyphenol Extract Inhibits UVB-Induced Skin Photoaging by Regulating MMP Expression and Type I Procollagen Production in Mice

Ultraviolet (UV) B radiation can cause skin aging by increasing matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) production and collagen degradation, leading to the formation of wrinkles. This study investigated whether hawthorn polyphenol extract (HPE) protects against UVB-induced skin photoaging using HaCaT human keratinocytes, normal human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs), and mice. Analysis of the phenol composition of HPE by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry showed that chlorogenic acid (13.5%), procyanidin B2 (19.2%), and epicatechin (18.8%) collectively accounted for 51.4% of total phenol content and represent the active ingredients of hawthorn fruit. A cell viability assay revealed that HPE treatment promoted cell proliferation in HaCaT cells and HDFs. On the other hand, MMP-1 and type I procollagen production was decreased and increased, respectively, in UVB-exposed cells treated with HPE as compared with those without treatment, as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin and eosin and Weigert staining of dermal tissue specimens from mice demonstrated that HPE also reversed UVB-induced epidermal thickening and dermal damage. The increase in production of reactive oxygen species and decrease in antioxidant enzyme activity as well as the increase in nuclear factor-κB activation and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation induced by UVB irradiation were reversed by HPE (100 or 300 mg/kg body weight), which also suppressed MMP expression and stimulated the production of type I procollagen in the dorsal skin of UVB-irradiated mice. These results suggest that HPE is a natural product that can prevent UVB radiation-induced skin photoaging.

Inhibitory Effect of Persimmon Tannin on Pancreatic Lipase and the Underlying Mechanism in Vitro

Pancreatic lipase (PL) is a critical enzyme associated with hyperlipidemia and obesity. A previous study of ours suggested that persimmon tannin (PT) was the main component accounting for the antihyperlipidemic effects of persimmon fruits, but the underlying mechanisms were unclear. In this present study, the inhibitory effect of PT on PL was studied and the possible mechanisms were evaluated by fluorescence spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD) spectra, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and molecular docking. PT had a high affinity to PL and inhibited the activity of PL with the half maximal inhibitory concertation (IC₅₀) value of 0.44 mg/mL in a noncompetitive way. Furthermore, molecular docking revealed that the hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking was mainly responsible for the interaction. The strong inhibition of PT on PL in the gastrointestinal tract might be one mechanism for its lipid-lowering effect.

Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based proteomics for the investigation of the effect of Hugan Qingzhi on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Hugan Qingzhi tablet (HQT), a traditional Chinese medicine formula has been adopted for preventing and treating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

AIM

In order to explore the anti-NAFLD mechanisms of HQT, iTRAQ-based proteomic was employed to investigate the expression profiles of proteins in NAFLD rats induced by high-fat diet after HQT treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The NAFLD rat model was administrated with high-fat diet (HFD) for 12weeks. HQT was administrated in a daily basis to the HFD groups. Biochemical markers, liver histology, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress/antioxidant biomarkers were assayed to evaluate HQT effects in HFD-induced NAFLD rats. Furthermore, the combined strategy of iTRAQ labeling with strong cation exchange-non-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (SCX-non-LC-MS/MS) analysis were employed to explore the mechanisms of HQT's protective effect against NAFLD in rats. Western blotting was performed to verify the proteomic results.

RESULTS

The histopathologic characteristics and biochemical data showed that HQT exhibited protective effects on HFD-induced NAFLD rats. After being analyzed by the combined strategy of iTRAQ with LC-MS/MS and subsequent investigation, we identified 275 differentially expressed proteins in the HFD group, compared to the control; 207 altered proteins in the HQT high dose + HFD group, compared to the HFD group; and 316 altered proteins in the HQT high dose + HFD group, compared to the control. Based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genomes (KEGG) pathway mapping, the conclusion has reached that several pathways including microbial metabolism in diverse environments, fatty acid metabolism, inflammatory response, oxidative stress, bile secretion, and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway were closely related to the effects of HQT in HFD-induced NAFLD in rats. Furthermore, several differentially expressed proteins, including phytanoyl-CoA 2-hydroxylase (PHYH), acyl-CoA synthetase 1 long chain (ACSL1), hemopexin, Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (ORM1), fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), soluble sulphotransferase 2a1 (Sult2a1), and argininosuccinate synthase 1 (ASS1) were verified by the western blotting analysis and these results were consistent with the data obtained from the proteomics analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results not only confirm that Hugan Qingzhi exhibits a significant protective effect in HFD-induced NAFLD rats but also provide a better understanding for the treatments of NAFLD.

Wild Lonicera caerulea berry polyphenol extract reduces cholesterol accumulation and enhances antioxidant capacity in vitro and in vivo

The hypocholesterolemic effect of Lonicera caerulea berry extract rich in polyphenols (LCBP) on high cholesterol-induced hypercholesterolemia and lipoprotein metabolite changes was examined in Caco-2 cells and rats. Cyanidin-3-glucoside, catechin, and chlorogenic acid are the major phenolic components of LCBP. The cholesterol-reducing effect and antioxidant capacity of these components were compared in Caco-2 cells. LCBP (80 μg/mL) and cyanidin-3-glucoside, catechin, and chlorogenic acid (50 μM) were found to be effective (p < 0.05). Rats were fed a high cholesterol diet (HCD) with or without LCBP supplementation (75, 150, and 300 mg/kg body weight intragastrically once daily) for 12 weeks. Compared with the HCD control group, LCBP supplementation at 150 and 300 mg/kg decreased the levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C, but increased that of HDL-C. LCBP treatment promoted greater neutral and acidic sterol excretion (p < 0.05) and improved the antioxidant capacity of the colon tissue, colon contents, and blood. Moreover, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) levels were decreased in serum (p < 0.05). NPC1L1, ACAT2, and MTP mRNA and protein expression were reduced and ABCG5/8 expression was increased (p < 0.05) after LCBP treatment. Our results suggest that LCBP could be used as a functional food for the prevention and treatment of diseases related to excessive cholesterol accumulation.

β-Cryptoxanthin ameliorates metabolic risk factors by regulating NF-κB and Nrf2 pathways in insulin resistance induced by high-fat diet in rodents

The aim of this experiment was to determine the effects of β-cryptoxanthin (BCX) on the cardiometabolic health risk factors and NF-κB and Nrf2 pathway in insulin resistance induced by high-fat diet (HFD) in rodents. Twenty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated into four groups: (1) Control, rats fed a standard diet for 12 weeks; (2) BCX, rats fed a standard diet and supplemented with BCX (2.5 mg/kg BW) for 12 weeks; (3) HFD, rats fed a HFD for 12 weeks, (4) HFD + BCX, rats fed a HFD and supplemented with BCX for 12 weeks. BCX reduced cardio-metabolic health markers and decreased inflammatory markers (P < 0.001). Rats fed a HFD had the lower total antioxidant capacity and antioxidant enzymes activities and higher MDA concentration than control rats (P < 0.001 for all). Comparing with the HFD group, BCX in combination with HFD inhibited liver NF-κB and TNF-α expression by 22% and 14% and enhanced liver Nrf2, HO-1, PPAR-α, and p-IRS-1 by 1.43, 1.41, 3.53, and 1.33 fold, respectively (P < 0.001). Furthermore, in adipose tissue, BCX up-regulated Nrf2, HO-1, PPAR-α, and p-IRS-1 expression, whereas, down-regulated NF-κB and TNF-α expression. In conclusion, BCX decreased visceral fat and cardiometabolic health risk factors through modulating expressions of nuclear transcription factors.

Evolution of the antioxidant capacity and phenolic contents of persimmon during fermentation

The changes in antioxidant capacity and phenolics of persimmon during alcoholic fermentation, acetification, and short aging were investigated. An increase in the antioxidant activity was observed when persimmon was transformed from puree to vinegar. The total content of phenolics remained stable, in contrast to the concentration of condensed tannin, which significantly (p < 0.05) increased during alcoholic and acetic fermentations, although followed by a decrease after aging. The phenolic compounds were characterized and quantitated. Gallic acid was the main phenolic compound, and its content increased by 14.4% during alcoholic fermentation and reduced by 53.5% during acetic fermentation. Additionally, the flavan-3-ol compounds increased during alcoholic fermentation and acetification. Vanillyl alcohol, (-)-epigallocatechin, and p-coumaric acid were not observed in persimmon puree but detected in persimmon wine and vinegar. These results indicate that alcoholic and acetic fermentation can improve the antioxidant capacity of persimmon fruit.

Hot-Water Extracts from Roots of Vitis thunbergii var. taiwaniana and Identified ε-Viniferin Improve Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Induced Mice

In this study, hot-water extracts (HW) from roots of Vitis thunbergii var. taiwaniana (VTT-R) were shown to lower levels of lipid accumulation significantly (P < 0.01 or 0.001) compared to the control in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The VTT-R-HW (40 mg/kg) interventions concurrent with a high-fat (HF) diet in C57BL/6 mice over a 5 eek period were shown to reduce body weights significantly (P < 0.05) compared to those of mice fed a HF diet under the same food-intake regimen. The (+)-ε-viniferin isolated from VTT-R-HW was shown to reduce the size of lipid deposits significantly compared to the control (P < 0.05 or 0.001) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and dose-dependent 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitions showed that the 50% inhibitory concentration was calculated to be 96 μM. The two-stage (+)-ε-viniferin interventions (10 mg/kg, day 1 to day 38; 25 mg/kg, day 39 to day 58) were shown to lower mice body weights significantly (P < 0.05 or 0.001), the weight ratio of mesenteric fat, blood glucose, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein compared to that of the HF group under the same food-intake regimen but without concurrent VTT-R-HW interventions. It might be possible to use VTT-R-HW or (+)-ε-viniferin as an ingredient in the development of functional foods for weight management, and this will need to be investigated further.

[Effect of Hugan Qingzhi tablets on AMPK pathway activation and NF-κB-p65 protein expression in the liver of rats with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of Hugan Qingzhi tablets on lipid metabolism and inflammation in rats fed on high-fat diet and explore the underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, namely HFD group (with high-fat diet and distilled water), control group (with normal diet and distilled water), fenofibrate group (with high-fat diet and treatment with 0.1 g<kg fenofibrate suspension), and low-, moderate- and high-dose Hugan Qingzhi tablet groups (with high-fat diet and treatment with 0.54, 1.08, and 2.16 g<kg Hugan Qingzhi suspension). After daily corresponding treatments for 12 weeks, the histological changes in the liver were observed with HE staining. The serum levels of triglyceride (TG), cholesterol (CHOL), alanine transaminase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and the levels of TG and CHOL in the hepatic tissue were assayed. The proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6 and CRP were detected with enzyme-linked immunoassay, and p-AMPK, SREBP-1c, FASN and NF-αB-p65 expression levels in the liver were determined with qRT-PCR or Western blotting.

RESULTS

At high and moderate doses, Hugan Qingzhi effectively decreased the levels of ALT, AST, TG and CHOL levels in the serum, lowered the hepatic levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and CRP, enhanced p-AMPK, and reduced the expression of SREBP-1c, FASN and Ac-NF-αB-p65 in the liver of rats fed on high-fat diet.

CONCLUSION

Hugan Qingzhi tablets alleviates hyperlipidemia and inflammation in rats fed with high-fat diet possibly by activating AMPK pathway and suppress NF-αB activity to arrest the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Effect of chickpea husk dietary supplementation on blood and cecal parameters in rats

Chickpea husk was functionally evaluated for antioxidant status, blood parameters, cecal fermentation and microbial profiles in rats. Fifteen male rats (5 weeks of age) were divided into three groups; they were individually housed and fed one of the following diets for 3 weeks: purified diet containing 5% cellulose (Cellulose), an identical diet in which cellulose was replaced by corn starch (Starch) or by chickpea husk (Chick). Rats were sacrificed to obtain blood and cecal digesta samples. Chickpea husk contained high polyphenolic content and significant superoxide dismutase and 2,2-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activities. In a feeding experiment, Chick showed lowered cholesterol levels and improved antioxidant activity represented by reduced thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in blood. Chick showed increased cecal levels of total short chain fatty acids and butyrate, leading to a lower pH. Chick presented with lowered cecal indole and skatole concentrations, as did Cellulose. Cecal bacterial changes were notable in Chick, evidenced by differences in denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis banding patterns. However, representative bacteria quantified by real-time PCR assay did not support this bacterial change. These results indicate that chickpea husk feeding can improve the antioxidative status of rats through its polyphenolic components and modulate the hindgut environment by its fibrous components.

Evaluation of hypocholesterolemic effect of oleuropein in cholesterol-fed rats

Oleuropein, which is the major compound of olive leaves, has been reported to exert several pharmacological properties, including anti-cancer, antidiabetic and anti-atherosclerotic activities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of oleuropein on adiponectin level in high cholesterol diet (HCD) induced obesity in rat and the molecular mechanism underlying its activation. Our results showed that orally administered oleuropein (50 mg/kg) by gavage for 8 weeks decreased the body weight, adipose tissue mass and triglyceride and attenuated steatosis in liver. Moreover, the effect of oleuropein on adiponectin, an important hormone with fatty-acid oxidation properties, was evaluated and our data illustrated that oleuropein supplementation increased serum adiponectin concentration. The effects of oleuropein on protein expression related to lipogenic genes were investigated and our results showed that its administration significantly inhibited peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and fatty-acid synthase (FAS). In addition, oleuropein stimulated the HCD-induced inhibition of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in epididymal adipose tissues. These results suggest that oleuropein exerts anti-obesity effects in HCD rats by activating AMPK and suppressing PPAR γ (Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ) expression in adipose tissues. These data provide that oleuropein has important implications for preventing obesity.

Regulation of AMP-activated protein kinase by natural and synthetic activators

The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a sensor of cellular energy status that is almost universally expressed in eukaryotic cells. While it appears to have evolved in single-celled eukaryotes to regulate energy balance in a cell-autonomous manner, during the evolution of multicellular animals its role has become adapted so that it also regulates energy balance at the whole body level, by responding to hormones that act primarily on the hypothalamus. AMPK monitors energy balance at the cellular level by sensing the ratios of AMP/ATP and ADP/ATP, and recent structural analyses of the AMPK heterotrimer that have provided insight into the complex mechanisms for these effects will be discussed. Given the central importance of energy balance in diseases that are major causes of morbidity or death in humans, such as type 2 diabetes, cancer and inflammatory disorders, there has been a major drive to develop pharmacological activators of AMPK. Many such activators have been described, and the various mechanisms by which these activate AMPK will be discussed. A particularly large class of AMPK activators are natural products of plants derived from traditional herbal medicines. While the mechanism by which most of these activate AMPK has not yet been addressed, I will argue that many of them may be defensive compounds produced by plants to deter infection by pathogens or grazing by insects or herbivores, and that many of them will turn out to be inhibitors of mitochondrial function.

Vitis thunbergii var. taiwaniana Extracts and Purified Compounds Ameliorate Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

The increasing prevalence of obesity continues to gain more attention worldwide. In this study, diet-induced obese mice were used to evaluate the antiobesity effects of extracts, fractions, and purified compounds from Vitis thunbergii var. taiwaniana (VTT). The C57BL/6J mice were fed a 5-week high-fat diet (HF) concurrently with ethanol extracts (Et-ext, 80 mg/kg) from roots (R), stems (S), and leaves (L) by oral gavage daily. Only R-Et-ext interventions showed significant weight reduction in mice compared with those in the HF group; however, mouse plasma contents of total cholesterols (TC), total triglycerides (TG) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) of all three Et-ext intervened groups showed significant reductions compared with those in the HF group. Furthermore, intervention with the ethyl acetate-partitioned fraction (EA-fra, 60 mg/kg) from R-Et-ext but not the n-butanol-partitioned fraction or water fraction from R-Et-ext showed significant weight reduction in mice compared with those in the HF group. The same molecular weights of three resveratrol tetramers, (+)-hopeaphenol, (+)-vitisin A, and (-)-vitisin B, were isolated from the EA-fra of VTT-R. The (+)-vitisin A and fenofibrate (25 mg/kg) but not the (+)-hopeaphenol and (-)-vitisin B interventions showed significant weight reduction in mice compared with those in the HF group. The total feed intake among the HF groups with or without interventions showed no significant differences. The mouse plasma contents of TC, TG, LDL, free fatty acid, and plasma lipase activity of the three resveratrol tetramer-intervened groups showed reductions in the mice compared with those in the HF group. It was proposed that the lipase inhibitory activities of VTT extracts and purified resveratrol tetramers might contribute in part to the antiobesity effect, and these results suggested that VTT may be developed as functional food for achieving antiobesity objectives and requires further investigation.

A-type ECG and EGCG dimers disturb the structure of 3T3-L1 cell membrane and strongly inhibit its differentiation by targeting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ with miR-27 involved mechanism

The effects of four proanthocyanidin dimers including epicatechin-(4β→8, 2β→O→7)-epicatechin (A-type EC dimer), epicatechin-(4β→8)-epicatechin (B-type EC dimer), epicatechin-3-gallate-(4β→8, 2β→O→7)-epicatechin-3-gallate (A-type ECG dimer) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate-(4β→8, 2β→O→7)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (A-type EGCG dimer) on 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cell differentiation and the underlying mechanisms were explored and compared. The results showed that A-type ECG dimer and A-type EGCG dimer significantly reduced the intracellular lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells by targeting miR-27a and miR-27b as well as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in the early stage of differentiation, while A-type EC dimer and B-type EC dimer showed little effect. In addition, our results revealed that the inhibitory effects of proanthocyanidin dimers on 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation were highly structure-dependent and the effects were associated with the dimer-membrane interactions. The presence of galloyl moieties and A-type linkage within the structure of proanthocyanidins might be crucial for their inhibitory effect on adipogenesis. The strong disturbing effects of A-type ECG and A type EGCG dimers on the fluidity, hydrophobicity and permeability of membrane of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cell were at least, in part, responsible for their distinct inhibitory effects on adipocyte hyperplasia.