Puerarin improves hepatic glucose and lipid homeostasis in vitro and in vivo by regulating the AMPK pathway

Exploring the mechanism of Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi in the regulation of obesity

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi is a traditional medicinal and edible homologous plant rich in flavonoids, triterpenes, saponins, polysaccharides and other chemical components. At present, studies have shown that Pueraria lobata radix (PR) has the effect of lowering blood sugar, improving insulin sensitivity and inhibiting obesity. However, the specific mechanism of PR inhibits obesity is still unclear, and there are few researches on the anti-obesity effect of PR through the combination of network pharmacology and experiment.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Pharmacology, molecular docking technology and experimental verification through the network, revealing the PR the material basis of obesity and the potential mechanism.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The present study used network pharmacology techniques to investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of action of PR. Through relevant databases, a total of 6 main chemical components and 257 potential targets were screened. Protein interaction analysis shows that AKT1, AKR1B1, PPARG, MMP9, TNF, TP53, BAD, and BCL2 are core targets. Enrichment analysis shows that the pathway of PR in preventing obesity involves the cancer signaling pathway and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, which may be the main pathways of action. Further molecular docking verification indicates that its core target exhibits good binding activity with 4 compounds: formononectin, purerin, 7,8,4 '- trihydroxide and daidzein. Using the ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) technology to detected and confirmed these main compounds. Cell experiment results revealed that puerarin inhibits cell proliferation and differentiation in a concentration dependent manner, significantly promoting cell apoptosis and affecting cell migration. Animal experiments have shown that puerarin reduces food intake and weight gain in mice. It was found that puerarin can upregulate HDL and downregulate TC, TG, and LDL blood biochemical indicators. Western blot results showed that puerarin significantly inhibited the expression of AKT1, AKR1B1, MMP9, TNF, TP53, BCL2, PPARG, and significantly increased the expression of BAD protein at both cellular and animal levels.

CONCLUSION

The present study established a method for measuring PR content and predicted its active ingredients and their mechanisms of action in the treatment of obesity, providing a theoretical basis for further research.

Flavonoids and Other Polyphenols: Bioactive Molecules from Traditional Medicine Recipes/Medicinal Plants and Their Potential for Phytopharmaceutical and Medical Application

Currently, natural bioactive ingredients and/or raw materials are of significant interest to scientists around the world. Flavonoids and other polyphenols are a major group of phytochemicals that have been researched and noted as bioactive molecules. They offer several pharmacological and medical benefits. This current review aims to (1) illustrate their benefits for human health, such as antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, and UV-protective effects, and also (2) to perform a quality evaluation of traditional medicines for future application. Consequently, keywords were searched on Scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed so as to search for related publications. Then, those publications were carefully checked in order to find current and non-redundant studies that matched the objective of this review. According to this review, researchers worldwide are very interested in discovering the potential of flavonoids and other polyphenols, used in traditional medicines and taken from medicinal plants, in relation to medical and pharmaceutical applications. Many studies focus on the health benefits of flavonoids and other polyphenols have been tested using in silico, in vitro, and in vivo models. However, few studies have been carried out using clinical trials that have trustworthy subject sizes and are in accordance with clinical practice guidelines. Additionally, interesting research directions and perspectives for future studies are highlighted in this work.

Puerarin alleviates atherosclerosis via the inhibition of Prevotella copri and its trimethylamine production

OBJECTIVE

Puerarin (PU) is a natural compound that exhibits limited oral bioavailability but has shown promise in the treatment of atherosclerosis (AS). However, the precise mechanisms underlying its therapeutic effects remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PU and its mechanisms in mitigating AS in both mice and humans.

DESIGN

The impact of PU on AS was examined in ApoE -/- mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and in human patients with carotid artery plaque. To explore the causal link between PU-associated gut microbiota and AS, faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and mono-colonisation of mice with Prevotella copri (P. copri) were employed.

RESULTS

PU alleviated AS by modulating the gut microbiota, as evidenced by alterations in gut microbiota composition and the amelioration of AS following FMT from PU-treated mice into ApoE-/- mice fed HFD. Specifically, PU reduced the abundance of P. copri, which exacerbated AS by producing trimethylamine (TMA). Prolonged mono-colonisation of P. copri undermines the beneficial effects of PU on AS. In clinical, the plaque scores of AS patients were positively correlated with the abundance of P. copri and plasma trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) levels. A 1-week oral intervention with PU effectively decreased P. copri levels and reduced TMAO concentrations in patients with carotid artery plaque.

CONCLUSION

PU may provide therapeutic benefits in combating AS by targeting P. copri and its production of TMA.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ChiCTR1900022488.

Flavonoids in natural products for the therapy of liver diseases: progress and future opportunities

The liver is the largest, important organ and the site for essential biochemical reactions in the human body. It has the function to detoxify toxic substances and synthesize useful biomolecules. Liver diseases related complications represent a significant source of morbidity and mortality worldwide, creating a substantial economic burden. Oxidative stress, excessive inflammation, and dysregulated energy metabolism significantly contributed to liver diseases. Therefore, discovery of novel therapeutic drugs for the treatment of liver diseases are urgently required. For centuries, flavonoids and their preparations which have the beneficial health effects in chronic diseases have been used to treat various human illnesses. Flavonoids mainly include flavones, isoflavones, flavanols, dihydroflavones, dihydroflavonols, anthocyanins and chalcones. The primary objective of this review is to assess the efficacy and safety of flavonoids, mainly from a clinical point of view and considering clinically relevant end-points. We summarized the recent progress in the research of hepatoprotective and molecular mechanisms of different flavonoids bioactive ingredients and also outlined the networks of underlying molecular signaling pathways. Further pharmacology and toxicology research will contribute to the development of natural products in flavonoids and their derivatives as medicines with alluring prospect in the clinical application.

Puerarin: a hepatoprotective drug from bench to bedside

Pueraria is a time-honored food and medicinal plant, which is widely used in China. Puerarin, the main component extracted from pueraria, has a variety of pharmacological characteristics. In recent years, puerarin has received increasing attention for its significant hepatoprotective effects, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, alcohol-related liver disease, and hepatic carcinoma. This paper explores the pharmacological effects of puerarin on various liver diseases through multiple mechanisms, including inflammation factors, oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, apoptosis, and autophagy. Due to its restricted solubility, pharmacokinetic studies revealed that puerarin has a low bioavailability. However, combining puerarin with novel drug delivery systems can improve its bioavailability. Meanwhile, puerarin has very low toxicity and high safety, providing a solid foundation for its further. In addition, this paper discusses puerarin's clinical trials, highlighting its unique advantages. Given its excellent pharmacological effects, puerarin is expected to be a potential drug for the treatment of various liver diseases.

Protective effects of puerarin on metabolic diseases: Emphasis on the therapeutical effects and the underlying molecular mechanisms

Metabolic diseases (MetD) such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, and hyperlipidemia have become global health challenges. As a naturally occurring plant component, puerarin has been verified to possess a wide range of pharmacological effects including lowering blood glucose, improving insulin resistance, and regulating lipid metabolism, which has attracted extensive attention in recent years, and its potential in the treatment of MetD has been highly acclaimed. In addition, puerarin has exhibited antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardiovascular protective effects, which are of great significance in the prevention and treatment of MetD. This article comprehensively summarizes the research progress of puerarin in the treatment of MetD and explores its pharmacological mechanisms, clinical applications, and future perspectives. More importantly, this review provided a list of the involved molecular mechanims in treating MetD of puerarin. Taking into account these conclusions, it may provide a strong foundation for the optimized use of puerarin in the treatment of patients suffering from MetD.

Puerarin alleviates acrolein-induced atherosclerosis by activating the MYH9-mediated SIRT1/Nrf2 cascade to inhibit the activation of inflammasome

Puerarin (Pue) has significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This work was designed to clarify and investigate the potential mechanisms of Pue in atherosclerosis (AS) progression. In vivo, acrolein (Acr) was inhaled through drinking water to construct AS model. In vitro, CCK-8 assay and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay kit were used to detect cell viability. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was determined by commercial kit, the level of inflammatory factors was detected by ELISA, and proteins were determined by western blot. Pue administration could effectively reduce blood lipid level in Acr-fed mice. Pue suppressed oxidative stress, the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, and the process of aortic histological changes. Pue pretreatment decreased MDA in HUVECs and maintained the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Pue upregulated SIRT1/Nrf2 cascade in HUVECs. Pue increased MYH9 and inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome-related proteins, and the inhibition of MYH9 significantly impaired Pue-induced Nrf2 activation. Moreover, HUVEC cytotoxicity and apoptosis are alleviated by Pue, in addition to NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis in HUVECs induced by Acr. MYH9 inhibitors effectively suppressed the pyroptosis induced by Acr and prevented injury to HUVECs. In addition, Pue promoted SIRT1/Nrf2 cascade activation in HUVECs. Pue may alleviate Acr-induced AS by activating the MYH9-mediated SIRT1/Nrf2 cascade to inhibit inflammasome activation.

Yellow leaf green tea modulates the AMPK/ACC/SREBP1c signaling pathway and gut microbiota in high-fat diet-induced mice to alleviate obesity

BACKGROUND

Yellow leaf green tea (YLGT) is a new variety of Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Ktze, which has yellow leaves and the unique qualities of 'three green through three yellow'. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-obesity effect of YLGT in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and to explore the potential mechanisms by regulating the AMPK/ACC/SREBP1c signaling pathways and gut microbiota.

RESULTS

The results showed that YLGT aqueous extract reduced body weight, hepatic inflammation, fat accumulation and hyperlipidemia in HFD-induced C57BL/6J mice, and also accelerated energy metabolism, reduced fat synthesis and suppressed obesity by activating the AMPK/CPT-1α signaling pathway and inhibiting the FAS/ACC/SREBP-1c signaling pathway. Fecal microbiota transplantation experiment further confirmed that the alteration of gut microbiota (e.g. increasing unclassified_Muribaculaceae and decreasing Colidextribacter) might be an important cause of YLGT water extract inhibiting obesity.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, YLGT has a broad application prospect in the treatment of obesity and the development of anti-obesity function beverages. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Metabolomic analysis of the Puerarin hypoglycemic activity via AMPK-mTOR and PPARγ-NF-κB signaling pathways

BACKGROUND

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia, and its increasing prevalence is a global concern. Early diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets are essential for DM prevention and treatment. Pueraria, derived from kudzu root, is used clinically for various symptoms, and its active compound, Puerarin, shows promise in improving insulin resistance and reducing inflammation.

PURPOSE

This study aims to evaluate the protective effects of metformin and Puerarin at different doses in an STZ-induced DM mouse model. The intricate metabolites within the serum of STZ-induced diabetic mice were subjected to thorough investigation, thus elucidating the intricate mechanism through which Puerarin demonstrates notable efficacy in the treatment of diabetes.

METHODS

An STZ-induced DM mouse model is established. Mice are treated with metformin and puerarin at varying doses. Physiological, biochemical, and histomorphological assessments are performed. Metabolomics analysis is carried out on serum samples from control, DM, metformin, and medium-dose Puerarin groups. Western blot and qRT-PCR technologies are used to validate the mechanisms.

RESULTS

The DM mouse model replicates abnormal blood glucose, insulin levels, physiological, biochemical irregularities, as well as liver and pancreas damage. Treatment with metformin and Puerarin restores these abnormalities, reduces organ injury, and modulates AMPK, PPARγ, mTOR, and NF-κB protein and mRNA expression. Puerarin activates the AMPK-mTOR and PPARγ-NF-κB signaling pathways, regulating insulin signaling, glucolipid metabolism, and mitigating inflammatory damage.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates that Puerarin has the potential to treat diabetes by modulating key signaling pathways. The focus was on the finding that Puerarin has been shown to improve insulin signaling, glucolipid metabolism and attenuate inflammatory damage through the modulation of the AMPK-mTOR and PPARγ-NF-κB pathways. The discovery of Puerarin's favorable protective effect and extremely complex mechanism highlights its prospect in the treatment of diabetes and provides theoretical support for its comprehensive development and utilization.

Metal-polyphenol microgels for oral delivery of puerarin to alleviate the onset of diabetes

Puerarin (Pue) is a naturally bioactive compound with many potential functions in regulating blood glucose and lipid metabolism. However, the low bioavailability and rapid elimination in vivo limit the application of Pue in diabetic treatment. Here, we developed a metal-polyphenol-functionalized microgel to effectively deliver Pue in vivo and eventually alleviate the onset of diabetes. Pue was initially encapsulated in alginate beads through electrospray technology, and further immersed in Fe3+ and tannic acid solution from tannic acid (TA)-iron (Fe) coatings (TF). These constructed Pue@SA-TF microgels exhibited uniform spheres with an average size of 367.89 ± 18.74 µm and high encapsulation efficiency of Pue with 61.16 ± 1.39%. In vivo experiments proved that compared with free Pue and microgels without TF coatings, the biological distribution of Pue@SA-TF microgels specifically accumulated in the small intestine, prolonged the retention time of Pue, and achieved a high effectiveness in vivo. Anti-diabetic experimental results showed that Pue@SA-TF microgels significantly improved the levels of blood glucose, blood lipid, and oxidative stress in diabetic mice. Meanwhile, histopathological observations indicated that Pue@SA-TF microgels could significantly alleviate the damage to the liver, kidney, and pancreas in diabetic mice. Our study provided an effective strategy for oral delivery of Pue and achieved high anti-diabetic efficacy.

Natural compounds as obesity pharmacotherapies

Obesity has become a serious global public health problem, affecting over 988 million people worldwide. Nevertheless, current pharmacotherapies have proven inadequate. Natural compounds have garnered significant attention due to their potential antiobesity effects. Over the past three decades, ca. 50 natural compounds have been evaluated for the preventive and/or therapeutic effects on obesity in animals and humans. However, variations in the antiobesity efficacies among these natural compounds have been substantial, owing to differences in experimental designs, including variations in animal models, dosages, treatment durations, and administration methods. The feasibility of employing these natural compounds as pharmacotherapies for obesity remained uncertain. In this review, we systematically summarized the antiobesity efficacy and mechanisms of action of each natural compound in animal models. This comprehensive review furnishes valuable insights for the development of antiobesity medications based on natural compounds.

Danlou Recipe promotes cholesterol efflux in macrophages RAW264.7 and reverses cholesterol transport in mice with hyperlipidemia induced by P407

INTRODUCTION

Liver X Receptor (LXR) agonists could attenuate the development of atherosclerosis but bring excess lipid accumulation in the liver. Danlou Recipe was believed to be a benefit for improving the lipid profile. Thus, it is unclear whether Danlou Recipe could attenuate hyperlipidemia without excess lipid accumulated in the liver of mice. This study aimed to clarify if Danlou Recipe could alleviate the progression of hyperlipidemia in mice without extra lipids accumulated in the liver.

METHODS

Male murine macrophage RAW264.7 cells and murine peritoneal macrophages were used for the in vitro experiments. Cellular cholesterol efflux was determined using the fluorescent cholesterol labeling method. Those genes involved in lipid metabolism were evaluated by qRT-PCR and western blotting respectively. In vivo, a mouse model of hyperlipidemia induced by P407 was used to figure out the effect of Danlou Recipe on reverse cholesterol transport (RCT) and hyperlipidemia. Ethanol extract of Danlou tablet (EEDL) was prepared by extracting the whole powder of Danlou Prescription from ethanol, and the chemical composition was analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC).

RESULTS

EEDL inhibits the formation of RAW264.7 macrophage-derived foam cells, and promotes ABCA1/apoA1 conducted cholesterol efflux in RAW264.7 macrophages and mouse peritoneal macrophages. In the P407-induced hyperlipidemia mouse model, oral administration of EEDL can promote RCT in vivo and improve fatty liver induced by a high-fat diet. Consistent with the findings in vitro, EEDL promotes RCT by upregulating the LXR activities.

CONCLUSION

Our results demonstrate that EEDL has the potential for targeting RCT/LXR in the treatment of lipid metabolism disorders to be developed as a safe and effective therapy.

Chinese herbal medicine and active ingredients for diabetic cardiomyopathy: molecular mechanisms regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress

Background: Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is one of the serious microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus. It is often associated with clinical manifestations such as arrhythmias and heart failure, and significantly reduces the quality of life and years of survival of patients. Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) is the removal of unfolded and misfolded proteins and is an important mechanism for the maintenance of cellular homeostasis. ERS plays an important role in the pathogenesis of DCM by causing cardiomyocyte apoptosis, insulin resistance, calcium imbalance, myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis. Targeting ERS is a new direction in the treatment of DCM. A large number of studies have shown that Chinese herbal medicine and active ingredients can significantly improve the clinical outcome of DCM patients through intervention in ERS and effects on myocardial structure and function, which has become one of the hot research directions. Purpose: The aim of this review is to elucidate and summarize the roles and mechanisms of Chinese herbal medicine and active ingredients that have the potential to modulate endoplasmic reticulum stress, thereby contributing to better management of DCM. Methods: Databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Internet, and Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform were used to search, analyze, and collect literature, in order to review the mechanisms by which phytochemicals inhibit the progression of DCM by targeting the ERS and its key signaling pathways. Keywords used included "diabetic cardiomyopathy" and "endoplasmic reticulum stress." Results: This review found that Chinese herbs and their active ingredients can regulate ERS through IRE1, ATF6, and PERK pathways to reduce cardiomyocyte apoptosis, ameliorate myocardial fibrosis, and attenuate myocardial hypertrophy for the treatment of DCM. Conclusion: A comprehensive source of information on potential ERS inhibitors is provided in this review. The analysis of the literature suggests that Chinese herbal medicine and its active ingredients can be used as potential drug candidates for the treatment of DCM. In short, we cannot ignore the role of traditional Chinese medicine in regulating ERS and treating DCM, and look forward to more research and new drugs to come.

Puerarin protects against acetaminophen-induced oxidative damage in liver through activation of the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway

Puerarin (Pue) is a kind of isoflavone compound extracted from Pueraria lobata, which has significant antioxidant activity. Excessive use of acetaminophen (APAP) can cause oxidative stress in the liver and eventually lead to acute liver injury. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect and the mechanism of puerarin on APAP-induced liver oxidative damage. In in vitro experiments, puerarin significantly increased the cell activity of HepG2 cells, reduced the ROS accumulation, alleviated the oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. In in vivo studies, our results showed that puerarin enhanced antioxidant activity and alleviated histopathological damage. Further studies showed that puerarin decreased the expression of Keap1, promoted the nuclear migration of Nrf2, and up-regulated the expression of GCLC, GCLM, HO-1 and NQO1. This study demonstrated that puerarin can protect APAP-induced liver injury via alleviating oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction by affecting the nuclear migration of Nrf2 via inhibiting Keap1.

Puerarin alleviates depressive-like behaviors in high-fat diet-induced diabetic mice via modulating hippocampal GLP-1R/BDNF/TrkB signaling

OBJECTIVE

Depression is one of the most common complications in patients with diabetes. Our previous study demonstrated puerarin, a dietary isoflavone, improved glucose homeostasis and β-cell regeneration in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced diabetic mice. Here, we aim to evaluate the potential effect of puerarin on diabetes-induced depression.

METHODS

The co-occurrence of diabetes and depression with related biochemical alterations were confirmed in HFD mice and db/db mice, respectively using behavioral analysis, ELISA and western blotting assay. Furthermore, impacts of puerarin on depression-related symptoms and pathological changes were investigated in HFD mice.

RESULTS

The results showed that puerarin effectively alleviated the depression-like behaviors of HFD mice, down-regulated serum levels of corticosterone and IL-1β, while up-regulated the content of 5-hydroxytryptamine. Simultaneously, puerarin increased the number of hippocampal neurons in HFD mice, and suppressed the apoptosis of neurons to protect the hippocampal neuroplasticity. GLP-1R expression in hippocampus of HFD mice was enhanced by puerarin, which subsequently activated AMPK, CREB and BDNF/TrkB signaling to improve neuroplasticity. Importantly, our data indicated that puerarin had an advantage over fluoxetine or metformin in treating diabetes-induced depression.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, puerarin exerts anti-depressant-like effects on HFD diabetic mice, specifically by improving hippocampal neuroplasticity via GLP-1R/BDNF/TrkB signaling. Puerarin as a dietary supplement might be a potential candidate in intervention of diabetes with comorbid depression.

Lipid-Lowering Effects of a Novel Polysaccharide Obtained from Fuzhuan Brick Tea In Vitro

Lipid accumulation causes diseases such as obesity and abnormal lipid metabolism, thus impairing human health. Tea polysaccharide is one of the natural, active substances that can lower lipid levels. In this paper, an oleic-acid-induced HepG2 cell model was established. The lipid-lowering effects of a novel group of Fuzhuan brick tea polysaccharides (FTPs)-obtained from Fuzhuan brick tea-were examined in vitro. The monosaccharide composition of FTP3 was Glc, Gal, Ara, Man, Rha, GalAc, GlcAc, and Xyl with a molar ratio of 23.5:13.2:9.0:5.5:5.4:2.7:1.3:1.0, respectively. A molecular weight of 335.68 kDa was identified for FTP3. HepG2 cells treated with FTP3 achieved a prominent lipid-lowering effect compared with cells treated with oleic acid. Images of the Oil Red O staining treatment showed that FTP3-treated groups had significantly fewer red fat droplets. TC and TG levels were lower in FTP3-treated groups. FTP3 alleviated lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells, activated AMPK, and decreased the SREBP-1C and FAS protein expressions associated with fatty acid synthesis. FTP3 holds promising potential for its lipid-lowering effects.

Reduction of obesity and hepatic adiposity in high-fat diet-induced rats by besunyen slimming tea

Objective

Obesity is a significant risk factor for metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular disorders. As a well-known Chinese tea product, Besunyen Slimming Tea (BST) is believed to effectively reduce body weight (BW) and lipid profile. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the mechanisms and effects of BST on treating obesity and hepatic steatosis using a rat model fed with a high-fat diet (HFD).

Methods

Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to random separation into three categories: Animals were fed (1) a normal diet food (ND); (2) HFD, and (3) HFD + BST (n = 12/category). After successfully establishing the obesity model at week 8, the HFD + BST received BST (0.6 g/0.6 kg) orally, and the ND and HFD received the same amount (2 ml) of distilled water orally.

Results

HFD + BST reduced waist circumference (7.84%, P = 0.015), food intake (14.66%, P = 0.011), final BW (12.73%, P = 0.010), BW gain (964.16%, P < 0.001), and body mass index (8.97%, P = 0.044) compared with the HFD. BST supplementation also decreased hyperlipidemia, inflammation, and insulin resistance in rats with HFD. Furthermore, BST suppressed hepatic lipidosis by decreasing de novo lipogenesis and increasing fatty acid oxidation.

Conclusions

The results of this study offer evidence supporting the potential health benefits of BST in the management of metabolic disorders and obesity.

Targeting PI3K/AKT signaling pathway in obesity

Obesity is a disorder with an increasing prevalence, which impairs the life quality of patients and intensifies societal health care costs. The development of safe and innovative prevention strategies and therapeutic approaches is thus of great importance. The complex pathophysiology of obesity involves multiple signaling pathways that influence energy metabolism in different tissues. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) pathway is critical for the metabolic homeostasis and its function in insulin-sensitive tissues is described in the context of health, obesity and obesity-related complications. The PI3K family participates in the regulation of diverse physiological processes including but not limited to cell growth, survival, differentiation, autophagy, chemotaxis, and metabolism depending on the cellular context. AKT is downstream of PI3K in the insulin signaling pathway, and promotes multiple cellular processes by targeting a plethora of regulatory proteins that control glucose and lipid metabolism. Natural products are essential for prevention and treatment of many human diseases, including obesity. Anti-obesity natural compounds effect multiple pathophysiological mechanisms involved in obesity development. Numerous recent preclinical studies reveal the advances in using plant secondary metabolites to target the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway for obesity management. In this paper the druggability of PI3K as a target for compounds with anti-obesity potential is evaluated. Perspectives on the strategies and limitations for clinical implementation of obesity management using natural compounds modulating the PI3K/AKT pathway are suggested.

Tandem mass tag-based quantitative proteomics analysis reveals the effects of the α-lactalbumin peptides GINY and DQW on lipid deposition and oxidative stress in HepG2 cells

The objective of this study was to investigate the mechanism by which the α-lactalbumin peptides Gly-Ile-Asn-Tyr (GINY) and Asp-Gln-Trp (DQW) ameliorate free fatty acid-induced lipid deposition in HepG2 cells. The results show that GINY and DQW reduced triglyceride, total cholesterol, and free fatty acid levels significantly in free fatty acid-treated HepG2 cells. Based on proteomic analysis, GINY and DQW alleviated lipid deposition and oxidative stress mainly through the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) pathway, fatty acid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and response to oxidative stress. In vitro experiments confirmed that GINY and DQW upregulated the mRNA and protein expression of fatty acid β-oxidation-related and oxidative stress-related genes, and downregulated the mRNA and protein expression of lipogenesis-related genes by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα). Meanwhile, GINY and DQW reduced free fatty acid-induced lipid droplet accumulation and reactive oxygen species generation, and enhanced the mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP levels. Furthermore, GINY and DQW enhanced carnitine palmitoyl-transferase 1a (CPT-1a) and superoxide dismutase activities, and diminished acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase 1 (ACC1) and fatty acid synthase (FASN) activities in a PPARα-dependent manner. Interestingly, GW6471 (a PPARα inhibitor) weakened the effects of GINY and DQW on the PPARα pathway. Hence, our findings suggest that GINY and DQW have the potential to alleviate nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by activating the PPARα pathway.

Chitosan@Puerarin hydrogel for accelerated wound healing in diabetic subjects by miR-29ab1 mediated inflammatory axis suppression

Wound healing is one of the major global health concerns in patients with diabetes. Overactivation of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages is associated with delayed wound healing in diabetes. miR-29ab1 plays a critical role in diabetes-related macrophage inflammation. Hence, inhibition of inflammation and regulation of miR-29 expression have been implicated as new points for skin wound healing. In this study, the traditional Chinese medicine, puerarin, was introduced to construct an injectable and self-healing chitosan@puerarin (C@P) hydrogel. The C@P hydrogel promoted diabetic wound healing and accelerated angiogenesis, which were related to the inhibition of the miR-29 mediated inflammation response. Compared to healthy subjects, miR-29a and miR-29b1 were ectopically increased in the skin wound of the diabetic model, accompanied by upregulated M1-polarization, and elevated levels of IL-1β and TNF-α. Further evaluations by miR-29ab1 knockout mice exhibited superior wound healing and attenuated inflammation. The present results suggested that miR-29ab1 is essential for diabetic wound healing by regulating the inflammatory response. Suppression of miR-29ab1 by the C@P hydrogel has the potential for improving medical approaches for wound repair.

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A chitosan based hydrogel containing puerarin was constructed for promoting diabetic wound healing.

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Chitosan@Puerarin hydrogel accelerated skin repair through inhibiting M1-polarization and reducing IL-1β and TNF-α.

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miR-29 a/b1 was found to be ectopic increased in the skin-wound of diabetic model.

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miR-29 a/b1 was inhibited by Chitosan@Puerarin in diabetic wound healing.

A Review of the Effects of Puerarin on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Metabolic Syndrome: Mechanisms and Opportunities

Chronic diseases, including metabolic syndrome related to sugar and lipid metabolic disorders, are the leading causes of premature death around the world. Novel treatment strategies without undesirable effects are urgently needed. As a natural functional ingredient, puerarin is a promising alternative for the treatment of sugar and lipid metabolic disorders. However, the applications of puerarin are limited due to its poor solubility and short half-life. Various drug delivery systems have been investigated to improve the bioavailability of puerarin. This review summarizes the mechanisms involved in the beneficial action of puerarin: suppressing the release of glucose and FFA; regulating the transport of glucose and fatty acids; acting on the PI3K-Akt and AMPK signaling pathways to decrease the synthesis of glucose and fatty acids; acting on the PPAR signaling pathway to promote β-oxidation; and improving insulin secretion and sensitivity. In addition, the preparation technologies used to improve the bioavailability of puerarin are also summarized in this review, in the hope of helping to promote the application of puerarin.

Chrysin improves diabetic nephropathy by regulating the AMPK-mediated lipid metabolism in HFD/STZ-induced DN mice

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a highly prevalent and severe diabetic complication. It is urgent to explore high efficiency and minor side effects therapy for DN. Chrysin is a natural flavonoid with various biological activities found in honey and propolis, and has considerable potential to improve DN. The study was designed to explore the effects and the specific underlying mechanism of chrysin for DN in high-fat-diet (HFD) and streptozotocin (STZ) induced DN mice. Firstly, the study revealed that chrysin effectively improved obesity, insulin resistance (IR), renal function, and pathological injury in DN mice. Secondly, the study found that chrysin improved the key indices and markers of lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation which are closely related to the development or progression of DN. Moreover, chrysin markedly modulated lipid metabolism by regulating Adenosine 5' monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and essential downstream proteins. Furthermore, AMPK inhibitor (Dorsomorphin) intervention partially suppressed the positive effects of chrysin on all testing indicators, indicating that activated AMPK is crucial for chrysin action on DN. The present study demonstrated that chrysin may improve DN by regulating lipid metabolism, and activated AMPK plays a critical role in the regulation of chrysin. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The study verified the positive effects of chrysin on obesity, insulin resistance, kidney injury, renal function, lipid accumulation, inflammation, and oxidative stress, which are closely related to the development or progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Moreover, we explored that chrysin improves DN by regulating AMPK-mediated lipid metabolism. Furthermore, the AMPK inhibitor was used to confirm that activated AMPK plays a critical role in the effects of chrysin. These results could offer a full explanation and a potential option for adjuvant therapy of DN diabetes with chrysin.

Effect of natural polyphenols in Chinese herbal medicine on obesity and diabetes: Interactions among gut microbiota, metabolism, and immunity

With global prevalence, metabolic diseases, represented by obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), have a huge burden on human health and medical expenses. It is estimated that obese population has doubled in recent 40 years, and population with diabetes will increase 1.5 times in next 25 years, which has inspired the pursuit of economical and effective prevention and treatment methods. Natural polyphenols are emerging as a class of natural bioactive compounds with potential beneficial effects on the alleviation of obesity and T2DM. In this review, we investigated the network interaction mechanism of "gut microbial disturbance, metabolic disorder, and immune imbalance" in both obesity and T2DM and systemically summarized their multiple targets in the treatment of obesity and T2DM, including enrichment of the beneficial gut microbiota (genera Bifidobacterium, Akkermansia, and Lactobacillus) and upregulation of the levels of gut microbiota-derived metabolites [short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)] and bile acids (BAs). Moreover, we explored their effect on host glucolipid metabolism, the AMPK pathway, and immune modulation via the inhibition of pro-inflammatory immune cells (M1-like Mϕs, Th1, and Th17 cells); proliferation, recruitment, differentiation, and function; and related cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17, and MCP-1). We hope to provide evidence to promote the clinical application of natural polyphenols in the management of obesity and T2DM.

Protective effects and mechanism of puerarin targeting PI3K/Akt signal pathway on neurological diseases

Neurological diseases impose a tremendous and increasing burden on global health, and there is currently no curative agent. Puerarin, a natural isoflavone extracted from the dried root of Pueraria montana var. Lobata (Willd.) Sanjappa and Predeep, is an active ingredient with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, and autophagy-regulating effects. It has great potential in the treatment of neurological and other diseases. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signal pathway is a crucial signal transduction mechanism that regulates biological processes such as cell regeneration, apoptosis, and cognitive memory in the central nervous system, and is closely related to the pathogenesis of nervous system diseases. Accumulating evidence suggests that the excellent neuroprotective effect of puerarin may be related to the regulation of the PI3K/Akt signal pathway. Here, we summarized the main biological functions and neuroprotective effects of puerarin via activating PI3K/Akt signal pathway in neurological diseases. This paper illustrates that puerarin, as a neuroprotective agent, can protect nerve cells and delay the progression of neurological diseases through the PI3K/Akt signal pathway.

Medicinal and edible plants in the treatment of dyslipidemia: advances and prospects

Dyslipidemia is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which lead to the high mortality, disability, and medical expenses in the worldwide. Based on the previous researches, the improvement of dyslipidemia could efficiently prevent the occurrence and progress of cardiovascular diseases. Medicinal and edible plants (MEPs) are the characteristics of Chinese medicine, and could be employed for the disease treatment and health care mostly due to their homology of medicine and food. Compared to the lipid-lowering drugs with many adverse effects, such as rhabdomyolysis and impaired liver function, MEPs exhibit the great potential in the treatment of dyslipidemia with high efficiency, good tolerance and commercial value. In this review, we would like to introduce 20 kinds of MEPs with lipid-lowering effect in the following aspects, including the source, function, active component, target and underlying mechanism, which may provide inspiration for the development of new prescription, functional food and complementary therapy for dyslipidemia.

Puerarin ameliorates nonalcoholic fatty liver in rats by regulating hepatic lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become one of the public health problems globally. The occurrence of NAFLD is usually accompanied by a series of chronic metabolic diseases, with a prevalence rate is 25.24% among adults worldwide. Therefore, NAFLD seriously affects the quality of life in patients and causes a large economic burden. It has been reported that puerarin has the function of lowering the serum lipids, but due to the complexity of NAFLD, the specific mechanism of action has not been clarified. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preventive or ameliorating effects of two doses of puerarin (0.11% and 0.22% in diet) on high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFFD)-induced NAFLD in rats. The rats were fed with HFFD-mixed puerarin for 20 weeks. The results showed that puerarin ameliorated the levels of lipids in the serum and liver. Further exploration of the mechanism found that puerarin ameliorated hepatic lipid accumulation in NAFLD rats by reducing the expression of Srebf1, Chrebp, Acaca, Scd1, Fasn, Acacb, Cd36, Fatp5, Degs1, Plin2, and Apob100 and upregulating the expression of Mttp, Cpt1a, and Pnpla2. At the same time, after administration of puerarin, the levels of antioxidant markers (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase) were significantly increased in the serum and liver, and the contents of serum and hepatic inflammatory factors (interleukin-18, interleukins-1β, and tumor necrosis factor α) were clearly decreased. In addition, puerarin could ameliorate the liver function. Overall, puerarin ameliorated HFFD-induced NAFLD by modulating liver lipid accumulation, liver function, oxidative stress, and inflammation.

Jinlida Granules Reduce Obesity in db/db Mice by Activating Beige Adipocytes

Recent studies indicate existence of beige adipocytes in adults. Upon activation, beige adipocytes burn energy for thermogenesis and contribute to regulation of energy balance. In this study, we have analyzed whether Jinlida granules (JLD) could activate beige adipocytes. JLD suspended in 0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) was gavage fed to db/db mice at a daily dose of 3.8 g/kg. After 10 weeks, body weight, biochemical, and histological analyses were performed. In situ hybridization, immunofluorescence, and western blotting were conducted to test beige adipocyte activation in mice. X9 cells were induced with induction medium and maintenance medium containing 400 μg/mL of JLD. After completion of induction, cells were analyzed by Nile red staining, time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western blotting, and immunofluorescence to understand the effect of JLD on the activation of beige adipocytes. A molecular docking method was used to preliminarily identify compounds in JLD, which hold the potential activation effect on uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). JLD treatment significantly improved obesity in db/db mice. Biochemical results showed that JLD reduced blood glucose (GLU), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) levels as well as liver aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in mice. Hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E) showed that JLD reduced hepatocyte ballooning changes in the liver. Immunofluorescence showed that JLD increased the expression of the thermogenic protein, UCP1, in the beige adipose tissue of mice. JLD also increased the expression of UCP1 and inhibited the expression of miR-27a in X9 cells. Molecular docking results showed that epmedin B, epmedin C, icariin, puerarin, and salvianolic acid B had potential activation effects on UCP1. The results suggest that JLD may activate beige adipocytes by inhibiting miR-27a expression, thereby promoting thermogenesis in beige adipocytes. This study provides a new pharmacological basis for the clinical use of JLD.

Ligature induced periodontitis in rats causes gut dysbiosis leading to hepatic injury through SCD1/AMPK signalling pathway

AIMS

Previous studies have demonstrated that chronic periodontitis (CP) is closely associated with the occurrence and development of a variety of systemic diseases. In this study, we successfully constructed a rat CP model through dental silk ligation, and the corresponding inflammatory reactions and fatty lesions were observed in the liver.

MAIN METHODS

Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 6) underwent tooth ligation at the bilateral first molars with silk thread to induce CP and were sacrificed 8 weeks later and compared to non-ligated rats (n = 6). RNA sequencing and 16S rRNA analysis were performed to determine the molecular mechanisms of CP involved in inducing liver disease. Alveolar bone loss, liver enzymes, mandible and liver histopathology, and inflammatory responses were compared between groups.

KEY FINDINGS

RNA sequencing of liver tissue showed that the expression of SCD1 increased significantly in CP rats compared to controls. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the AMPK signalling pathway may be involved in liver steatosis. The intestinal flora of faecal samples of rats were analysed by 16S rRNA sequencing, and the results indicated that the intestinal flora of the CP group was evidently imbalanced. The expression levels of tight junction proteins (ZO-1, occludin, and claudin-1) were significantly reduced in CP rats. Meanwhile, increases in serum IL-1β and lipopolysaccharide in CP rats reflected a systemic inflammatory response.

SIGNIFICANCE

CP may be involved in the occurrence and development of hepatic injury and liver steatosis, and its mechanism may be related to the oral-gut-liver axis and SCD1/AMPK signal activation in the liver.

Plant-Derived Compounds as Promising Therapeutics for Vitiligo

Vitiligo is the most common depigmenting disorder characterized by white patches in the skin. The pathogenetic origin of vitiligo revolves around autoimmune destruction of melanocytes in which, for instance, oxidative stress is responsible for melanocyte molecular, organelle dysfunction and melanocyte specific antigen exposure as well as melanocyte cell death and thus serves as an important contributor for vitiligo progression. In recent years, natural products have shown a wide range of pharmacological bioactivities against many skin diseases, and this review focuses on the effects and mechanisms of natural compounds against vitiligo models. It is showed that some natural compounds such as flavonoids, phenols, glycosides and coumarins have a protective role in melanocytes and thereby arrest the depigmentation, and, additionally, Nrf2/HO-1, MAPK, JAK/STAT, cAMP/PKA, and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways were reported to be implicated in these protective effects. This review discusses the great potential of plant derived natural products as anti-vitiligo agents, as well as the future directions to explore.

Effects of puerarin on chronic inflammation: Focus on the heart, brain, and arteries

Age-associated increases in physical and mental stress, known as allostatic load, could lead to a chronic low-grade inflammation in the heart, brain, and arteries. This low-grade inflammation potentially contributes to adverse structural and functional remodeling, such as intimal medial thickening, endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffening, cardiac hypertrophy and ischemia, and cognitive decline. These cellular and tissue remodeling is the fertile soil for the development of age-associated structural and functional disorders in the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems in the pathogenesis of obesity, type II diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart dysfunction, and cognitive decline. Growing evidence indicates that puerarin, a polyphenol, extracted from Puerara Labota, efficiently alleviates the initiation and progression of obesity, type II diabetes, hypertension, atherosclerosis, cardiac ischemia, cardiac arrythmia, cardiac hypertrophy, ischemic stroke, and cognition decline via suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation. This mini review focuses on recent advances in the effects of puerarin on the oxidative and inflammatory molecular, cellular, tissue events in the heart, brain, and arteries.

Component changes of mulberry leaf tea processed with honey and its application to in vitro and in vivo models of diabetes

Honey is a traditional food additive that can be used to preserve food, increase the flavour of food, and enhance the effect of some functional foods. Mulberry leaf is a popular tea, and it is also an anti-diabetic medicinal material. In the traditional processing of mulberry leaf tea, honey is a commonly used additive. This study used ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) to measure the changes in the contents of 11 components of mulberry leaves before and after processing using honey as an additive. We analysed the absorption and elimination characteristics of mulberry leaves before and after processing in diabetes in vivo models, and then compared the effect of mulberry leaves before and after processing in resisting hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia damage in in vitro models. The results showed that honey, as an additive, not only improves the dissolution of mulberry leaves, but in diabetes models also increases the utilisation of some components. In an in vitro model, honey mulberry leaves could significantly reduce the apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells. This demonstrated that the traditional processing method using honey as an additive could promote the anti-diabetic effect of mulberry tea. So far, this is the first research report on the quality and role of honey as an additive in mulberry leaf processing.Abbreviations: ML: mulberry leaves; HML: honey mulberry leaves; QC: quality control; HQC: high quality control sample; LLOQ: lower limit of quantification; LQC: low-quality control sample; MQC: medium-quality control sample; MRM: multiple reaction monitoring; STZ: streptozotocin.