A bibliometric analysis of research on herbal medicine for obesity over the past 20 years

Lemon basil seed-derived peptide: Hydrolysis, purification, and its role as a pancreatic lipase inhibitor that reduces adipogenesis by downregulating SREBP-1c and PPAR-γ in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

The purpose of this study is to assess the bioactive peptides derived from the defatted lemon basil seeds hydrolysate (DLSH) for their ability to inhibit pancreatic lipase, decrease intracellular lipid accumulation, and reduce adipogenesis. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize trypsin hydrolysis conditions for maximizing lipase inhibitory activity (LI). A hydrolysis time of 387.06 min, a temperature of 49.03°C, and an enzyme concentration of 1.61% w/v, resulted in the highest LI with an IC50 of 368.07 μg/mL. The ultrafiltration of the protein hydrolysate revealed that the fraction below 0.65kDa exhibited the greatest LI potential. Further purification via RP-HPLC identified the Gly-Arg-Ser-Pro-Asp-Thr-His-Ser-Gly (GRSPDTHSG) peptide in the HPLC fraction F1 using mass spectrometry. The peptide was synthesized and demonstrated LI with an IC50 of 0.255 mM through a non-competitive mechanism, with a constant (Ki) of 0.61 mM. Docking studies revealed its binding site with the pancreatic lipase-colipase complex. Additionally, GRSPDTHSG inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells in a dose-dependent manner without cytotoxic effects. Western blot analysis indicated downregulation of PPAR-γ and SREBP-1c levels under GRSPDTHSG treatment, while an increase in AMPK-α phosphorylation was observed, suggesting a role in regulating cellular lipid metabolism. Overall, GRSPDTHSG demonstrates potential in attenuating lipid absorption and adipogenesis, suggesting a prospective application in functional foods and nutraceuticals.

Rosae multiflorae fructus regulates the lipogenesis in high-fat diet-induced NAFLD mice model

PURPOSE

Exercise helps modify the lipid profile in the body, partly through its impact on sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ). Individual differences in response to exercise and genetic variations may influence the response to PA. Therefore, this study explored Rosae multiflorae fructus (RMF) as a supplement candidate that improves exercise capacity and controls non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) by suppressing lipogenesis and controlling lipid peroxidation.

METHODS

RMF is a natural herbal medicine used in Dongui Bogam. RMF has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-allergic effects. However, the effects of RMF on NAFLD have not yet been investigated. In this study, we examined the effects of RMF in a mouse model of high-fat diet-induced NAFLD. Mouse livers were isolated and analyzed using H&E staining and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

RMF downregulated lipid peroxidation markers, such as CYP2E1, in the livers of mice with high-fat diet-induced NAFLD. Additionally, the RMF significantly reduced the lipid accumulation-related protein expression of CD36, SREBP-1, and PPAR-γ.

CONCLUSION

RMF exerts anti-lipid peroxidation and anti-lipogenic effects in a high-fat diet-induced NAFLD mouse model.

Uncovering the anti-obesity constituents in Ginkgo biloba extract and deciphering their synergistic effects

Obesity has been recognized as a key risk factor for multiple metabolic disorders, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and many types of cancer. Herbal medicines have been frequently used for preventing and treating obesity in many countries, but in most cases, the key anti-obesity constituents in herbs and their anti-obesity mechanisms are poorly understood. This study demonstrated a case study for uncovering the anti-obesity constituents in an anti-obesity herbal medicine (Ginkgo biloba extract) and deciphering their synergistic effects via targeting human pancreatic lipase (hPL). Following screening the anti-hPL effects of eighty herbal medicines, Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE50) was found with the most potent anti-hPL activity. Global chemical profiling of herbal constituents coupling with hPL inhibition assay revealed that the bioflavonoids and several flavonoids in GBE50 were key anti-hPL constituents. Among all tested thirty-eight constituents, sciadopitysin, bilobetin, quercetin, isoginkgetin, and ginkgetin showed potent anti-hPL effects (IC50 values <2.5 μM). Inhibition kinetic analyses suggested that sciadopitysin, bilobetin, quercetin, isoginkgetin, and ginkgetin acted as non-competitive inhibitors of hPL, with the Ki values were <2 μM. Docking simulations revealed that four bioflavonoids (sciadopitysin, bilobetin, isoginkgetin, and ginkgetin) could tightly bind on hPL at cavity 2, which it is different from the binding cavity of quercetin on hPL. Further investigations demonstrated that the combinations of quercetin and one bioflavonoid-type hPL inhibitor (sciadopitysin or bilobetin) showed synergistic anti-hPL effects, suggesting that the multi-components in GBE50 may generate more potent anti-hPL effect. Collectively, our findings uncovered the anti-obesity constituents in GBE50, and explored their anti-hPL mechanisms as well as synergistic effects at molecular levels, which will be very helpful for further understanding the anti-obesity mechanisms of Ginkgo biloba.

Biofuels and Nanocatalysts: Python Boosting Visualization of Similarities

Among the most relevant themes of modernity, using renewable resources to produce biofuels attracts several countries' attention, constituting a vital part of the global geopolitical chessboard since humanity's energy needs will grow faster and faster. Fortunately, advances in personal computing associated with free and open-source software production facilitate this work of prospecting and understanding complex scenarios. Thus, for the development of this work, the keywords "biofuel" and "nanocatalyst" were delivered to the Scopus database, which returned 1071 scientific articles. The titles and abstracts of these papers were saved in Research Information Systems (RIS) format and submitted to automatic analysis via the Visualization of Similarities Method implemented in VOSviewer 1.6.18 software. Then, the data extracted from the VOSviewer were processed by software written in Python, which allowed the use of the network data generated by the Visualization of Similarities Method. Thus, it was possible to establish the relationships for the pair between the nodes of all clusters classified by Link Strength Between Items or Terms (LSBI) or by year. Indeed, other associations should arouse particular interest in the readers. However, here, the option was for a numerical criterion. However, all data are freely available, and stakeholders can infer other specific connections directly. Therefore, this innovative approach allowed inferring that the most recent pairs of terms associate the need to produce biofuels from microorganisms' oils besides cerium oxide nanoparticles to improve the performance of fuel mixtures by reducing the emission of hydrocarbons (HC) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx).

Comparative Effectiveness of East Asian Traditional Medicine for Childhood Simple Obesity: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis

Childhood obesity leads to various comorbidities and usually persists into adulthood, increasing socioeconomic burden. In the absence of a clearly effective treatment, East Asian traditional medicine (EATM) therapies have been widely used. We aimed to analyze the comparative effectiveness and safety of EATM techniques for children with simple obesity through network meta-analysis (NMA). Twelve databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effect of EATMs on childhood simple obesity. Individual EATMs were ranked based on the surface under the cumulative ranking curve. The risk of bias in the individual studies and publication bias in the NMA were evaluated. Thirty-three RCTs were included. Acupuncture, chuna, chuna plus acupressure, cupping plus acupressure, herbal medicine (HM), and HM plus acupuncture significantly reduced BMI compared with lifestyle management. Based on the treatment ranking, cupping plus acupressure was optimal for BMI reduction compared with a non-medical management, followed by chuna and HM. The quality of evidence for individual findings was usually moderate to low, and no serious adverse events of EATM were reported. Cupping plus acupressure might have a large beneficial effect, and chuna or HM probably have a moderate beneficial effect on reducing BMI in children with simple obesity.

The impact of heat on kidney health: A PRISMA-compliant bibliometric analysis

BACKGROUND

Exposure to excessive heat can impact kidney health. Climate change is projected to aggravate this impact. An analysis of articles published between 1958 and 2021 was conducted to explore the progress of the research on this issue.

METHODS

This study included a bibliometric analysis wherein Web of Science was used to generate a list of all published articles related to the impact of heat on kidney health. Basic information about the articles, such as titles, authors' names, keywords, and citations, were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 226 published articles related to the impact of heat on kidney health were identified as of November 20, 2021. Most of these articles (93%) were published within the last decade. The United States was the most prominent country in terms of research productivity and collaboration. Researchers from the United States were well represented among the top 20 contributors of published articles on the study issue. The productivity of the top 20 authors varied between 6 and 32 articles each. A total of 25 common words used by the authors were identified. The most frequently used keywords were chronic kidney disease, heat stress, acute kidney injury, Mesoamerican nephropathy, and climate change. Keyword analysis revealed 3 distinct major research clusters in the existing scientific research on the impact of heat on kidney health: chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology, heat stress and renal physiology, and the effect of climate change on kidney health.

CONCLUSIONS

Research on heat-related kidney injury has witnessed rapid development in recent decades, motivated by the emergence of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology and climate change. Developing countries in hot regions must increase their productivity in this research area through international collaboration and partnerships.