Camphor Tree Seed Kernel Oil Reduces Body Fat Deposition and Improves Blood Lipids in Rats

Enzymatic interesterification improves the lipid composition, physicochemical properties and rheological behavior of Cinnamomum camphora seed kernel oil, Pangasius bocourti stearin and perilla seed oil blends

The study aimed to investigate the effect of enzymatic interesterification on the lipid composition, physicochemical properties and rheological behavior of Cinnamomum camphora seed kernel oil (CCSKO), Pangasius bocourti stearin (PBST) and perilla seed oil (PSO) blends. The results showed that the interesterification process significantly changed the TAG profile of the blends. Lipid products from the enzymatic interesterification (EIE) had significantly lower slide melting point and solid fat content than the non-interesterification (NIE) lipid products. Interesterification process changed the crystal polymorphic forms from β > β' of NIE to β < β' of EIE. The crystal morphology of EIE was smaller and more diffuse compared to the NIE. Moreover, EIE showed improved rheological behavior, which was more suitable for food margarine preparation. The findings have provided a theoretical basis for the potential application of Lipozyme TL IM modified lipid products in the food industry.

Perilla, sunflower, and tea seed oils as potential dietary supplements with anti-obesity effects by modulating the gut microbiota composition in mice fed a high-fat diet

PURPOSE

Obesity has become a serious public health problem with its alarmingly increasing prevalence worldwide, prompting researchers to create and develop several anti-obesity drugs. Here, we aimed to investigate the protective effects of perilla seed oil (PSO), sunflower oil (SFO), and tea seed oil (TSO) against obesity through the modulation of the gut microbiota composition and related metabolic changes in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD).

METHODS

Mice were divided into six equal groups: ND (normal diet); HFD; ORL (HFD supplemented with 20 mg/kg body weight of orlistat); PSO, SFO, and TSO (HFD supplemented with 2 g/kg body weight of PSO, SFO, and TSO, respectively).

RESULTS

Our findings showed that PSO, SFO, and TSO supplementation significantly reduced body weight, organ weight, blood glucose, lipopolysaccharides (LPS), insulin resistance, and improved serum lipid levels (TG, TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C). Meanwhile, the three treatments alleviated oxidative stress and hepatic steatosis and reduced liver lipid accumulation. Relative mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and MCP-1) and lipid synthesis-related genes (PPAR-γ, FAS, and SREBP-1) were down-regulated, while β-oxidation-related genes (PPAR-α, CPT1a, and CPT1b) were up-regulated in the liver tissue of treated mice. Besides, dietary oil supplementation alleviated HFD-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis by promoting gut microbiota richness and diversity, decreasing the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio, and boosting the abundance of some healthy bacteria, like Akkermansia.

CONCLUSIONS

PSO, SFO, and TSO supplementation could alleviate inflammation, oxidative stress, and hepatic steatosis, likely by modulating the gut microbiota composition in HFD-fed mice.

Geographic Pattern of Variations in Chemical Composition and Nutritional Value of Cinnamomum camphora Seed Kernels from China

Cinnamomum camphora (camphor tree) is an important non-conventional edible plant species found in East Asia. Here, a detailed characterization for the chemical composition and nutritional value of C. camphora seed kernels (CCSKs) collected from different regions in China is provided. The results showed that there were significant differences among the CCSK samples in weights (1000 fruits, 1000 seeds and 1000 kernels), proximate composition, minerals, phenolics, flavonoids and amino acid contents. The highest contents of oil (62.08%) and protein (22.17%) were found in the CCSK samples collected from Chongqing and Shanghai, respectively. The highest content of mineral in the CCSK samples was K (4345.05-7186.89 mg/kg), followed by P (2735.86-5385.36 mg/kg), Ca (1412.27-3327.37 mg/kg) and Mg (2028.65-3147.32 mg/kg). The CCSK sample collected from Guizhou had the highest levels of total phenolic and flavonoid contents (TPC and TFC), while that from Chongqing had the lowest levels. In addition, the most abundant fatty acid in the CCSK samples was capric acid (57.37-60.18%), followed by lauric acid (35.23-38.29%). Similarities in the fatty acid composition among the CCSK samples were found. The CCSK sample collected from Guizhou had the highest percentage (36.20%) of essential amino acids to total amino acids, and Chongqing had the lowest value (28.84%). These results indicated that CCSK may be developed as an excellent source of plant-based medium-chain oil, protein, dietary fiber, minerals, phytochemicals and essential amino acids.

Acute Oral Toxicity and Genotoxicity Test and Evaluation of Cinnamomum camphora Seed Kernel Oil

Cinnamomum camphora seed kernel oil (CCSKO) is one of the important natural medium chain triglycerides (MCT) resources, with more than 95.00% of medium chain fatty acids found in the world, and has various physiological effects. However, CCSKO has not been generally recognized as a safe oil or new food resource yet. The acute oral toxicity test and a standard battery of genotoxicity tests (mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test, Ames test, and in vitro mammalian cell TK gene mutation test) of CCSKO as a new edible plant oil were used in the study. The results of the acute oral toxicity test showed that CCSKO was preliminary non-toxic, with an LD₅₀ value higher than 21.5 g/kg body weight. In the mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus test, there was no concentration-response relationship between the dose of CCSKO and micronucleus value in polychromatic erythrocytes compared to the negative control group. No genotoxicity was observed in the Ames test in the presence or absence of S9 at 5000 μg/mL. In vitro mammalian cell TK gene mutation test showed that CCSKO did not induce in vitro mammalian cell TK gene mutation in the presence or absence of S9 at 5000 μg/mL. These results indicated that CCSKO is a non-toxic natural medium-chain oil.

Effects of Torreya grandis Kernel Oil on Lipid Metabolism and Intestinal Flora in C57BL/6J Mice

Background

Recent experimental studies have shown that vegetable oil supplementation ameliorates high-fat diet- (HFD-) induced hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress in mice via modulating hepatic lipid metabolism and the composition of the gut microbiota. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the Torreya grandis kernel oil (TKO) rich in unpolysaturated fatty acid against hyperlipidemia and gain a deep insight into its potential mechanisms.

Methods

Normal mice were randomly divided into three groups: ND (normal diet), LO (normal diet supplement with 4% TKO), and HO (normal diet supplement with 8% TKO). Hyperlipidemia mice were randomly divided into two groups: HFN (normal diet) and HFO (normal diet supplement with 8% TKO). Blood biochemistry and histomorphology were observed; liver RNA-seq, metabolomics, and gut 16S rRNA were analyzed.

Results

Continuous supplementation of TKO in normal mice significantly ameliorated serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and free fatty acid (FFA) accumulation, decreased blood glucose and malondialdehyde (MDA), and enhanced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels. According to GO and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, most differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acid pathways, and significantly changed metabolites (SCMs) might be involved in the metabolism of lipids. High-dose TKO improved gut alpha diversity and beta diversity showing that the microbial community compositions of the five groups were different.

Conclusion

Supplementation of TKO functions in the prevention of hyperlipidemia via regulating hepatic lipid metabolism and enhancing microbiota richness in normal mice. Our study is the first to reveal the mechanism of TKO regulating blood lipid levels by using multiomics and promote further studies on TKO for their biological activity.

Effects of Liquid Phase Nano Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) on Seed Germination and Seedling Growth of Camphor Tree

It is of great significance to popularize and apply nanotechnology in forest plantations for the high-quality development of such areas. Camphor trees have good ecological and environmental benefits and are economic, which makes them worthy of widespread popularization and promotion. In this paper, we successfully synthesized bulk and rod-like TiO₂ powder and used it to study the influence of camphor seed germination and seedling growth. The germination rate, germination potential, germination index activity index of camphorwood seed during germination were measured by TiO₂ solution with different morphology. Meanwhile, the fresh weight, root length and seedling height of seedlings, as well as the activities of CAT, SOD and POD and MDA content in the seedlings were measured in detail. The difference in the promoting effect between bulk and rod TiO₂ powder was compared. The possible reasons are also explained. The results showed that bulk and rod-like TiO₂ solution improved the activities of SOD, POD and CAT, and increased the resilience of camphor seedlings. Moreover, the rod-like TiO₂ solution has a stronger osmotic effect on seed, and has a better effect on promoting seed germination and seedling growth. The study on the influence of nano-TiO₂ concentration also further showed that the treatment of nano-TiO₂ solution with appropriate concentration could effectively promote seed germination and seedling growth, and enhance its adoptability to adversity; but excessive concentration will bring some side effects, which was not conducive to seed germination and seedling growth. In general, the results of this study provide a theoretical basis and technical guidance for the practical application of nanotechnology in camphor seedling and afforestation production.

Medium chain triglycerides improve lipid metabolism in obese rats by increasing the browning of adipose tissue through the sympathetic regulation

This study aimed to determine the mechanism of medium chain triglyceride (MCT) promoting the browning of adipose tissue. High fat diet was fed to the Sprague-Dawley rats to induce obesity,...

Effects of Medium Chain Triglycerides on Lipid Metabolism in High-fat Diet Induced Obese Rats

This study aimed to compare effects of three different medium chain triglycerides (MCT) on lipid metabolism in obese rats. High fat diet was fed to the Sprague–Dawley rats to induce...

Lauric Triglyceride Ameliorates High-Fat-Diet-Induced Obesity in Rats by Reducing Lipogenesis and Increasing Lipolysis and β-Oxidation

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) are found in limited foods. In these medium-chain oil resources, the abundance of lauric acid (LA) is the highest among medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), and its effects on lipid metabolism in obese rats have not been well-studied. This study aimed to determine the anti-obesity effects and mechanisms of lauric triglyceride (LT) in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. LA and glycerin were used to synthesize LT, then LT was used to treat obese rats for 12 weeks. The results showed that LT significantly reduced the body weight, body mass index, and Lee's index in obese rats. The mRNA expression levels of the anorexic neuropeptide POMC in the hypothalamus between the LT group and the other groups were not different, while the gene expression levels of the orexigenic neuropeptides NPY and AGRP decreased significantly in the LT group. Except serum cholesterol, LT improved the serum triglyceride metabolism in the obese rats and reduced adipocyte and hepatic lipid deposition. Moreover, LT inhibited the expression of lipogenesis-related genes and proteins (SREBP-1c, ACC1, and FASN) and increased the expression of lipolysis (ATGL, HSL, and LPL) and β-oxidation (PPARα, CPT-1a, and PCG-1α) related genes and proteins in the white fat and liver. Furthermore, LT increased the mRNA expression of mitochondrial-biosynthesis-related genes (SIRT1, NRF1, and TFAM) in the liver. The results indicated that LT ameliorates diet-induced obesity in rats.

Covalent modification by phenolic extract improves the structural properties and antioxidant activities of the protein isolate from Cinnamomum camphora seed kernel

In this study, protein isolate (PI) and purified phenolic extract (PPE) were prepared from Cinnamomum camphora seed kernel (CCSK). The effects of covalent modification of PI by PPE at different concentrations (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5%, w/w) were investigated with respect to structural properties and antioxidant activities of protein. Fifteen bioactive compounds in PPE were tentatively identified by UPLC-ESI-MSⁿ. With the increase of PPE concentration, the turbidity, covalent binding rate, phenolic content and color intensity of the PI-PPE complexes were gradually increased. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and circular dichroism spectroscopy analysis showed that the secondary and tertiary structures of the complexes were changed and became greater order than PI. Furthermore, the complexes exhibited stronger thermal stability and antioxidant activities than those of PI. These results suggested that the protein-phenolic covalent complexes obtained from CCSK may have great potential to be used in food formulations as functional ingredients.

Effects of medium- and long-chain fatty acids on acetaminophen- or rifampicin-induced hepatocellular injury

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is one of the common adverse effects of drug therapy, which is closely associated with oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation response. Medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) were reported to relieve inflammation and attenuate oxidative stress. However, little has been known about the hepatoprotective effects of MCFA in DILI. In the present study, acetaminophen (AP) and rifampicin (RFP) were used to establish DILI models in LO2 cells, and the cytoprotective effects of MCFA on hepatocellular injury were investigated. Results showed that the optimal condition for the DILI model was treatment with 10 mM AP or 600 µM RFP for 24 hr. LCFA treatment markedly reduced the cell viability and increased the activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase. Meanwhile, LCFA treatment aggravated cell apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. The mRNA and protein expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α) were significantly elevated by LCFA. In contrast, MCFA treatment did not significantly affect cell viability, apoptosis, oxidative, stress and inflammation, and it did not produce the detrimental effects on DILI models. Therefore, we proposed that MCFA may be more safe and suitable than LCFA as nutrition support or the selection of daily dietary oil and fat for the patients with DILI.

Traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of the genus Cinnamomum (Lauraceae): A review

Species of Cinnamomum exhibit excellent economic and medicinal value, and have found use in traditional medicine, are consumed as a spice, as well as being cultivated as landscape plants. Investigations into the pharmacological activities of the genus Cinnamomum revealed that it manifested a wide range of pharmacological properties including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and analgesic, antitumor, anti-diabetic and anti-obesity, immunoregulation, insecticidal and acaricidal, cardiovascular protective, cytoprotective, as well as neuroprotective properties both in vivo and in vitro. In the past five years, approximately 306 chemical constituents have been separated and identified from the genus Cinnamomum, covering 111 terpenes, 44 phenylpropanoids, 51 lignans, 17 flavonoids, 53 aromatic compounds, 17 aliphatic compounds, four coumarins, two steroids. This article highlights the traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of the few studied taxa of Cinnamomum through searching for the pieces of literature both at home and abroad, which would provide a reference for the pharmaceutical research and clinical application of this genus.

Effect of okra fruit powder supplementation on metabolic syndrome and gut microbiota diversity in high fat diet-induced obese mice

This study aimed to explore a novel strategy for dietary okra fruit powder (OFP) consumption on attenuation of non-alcohol fatty liver damage, lipid metabolic disorder and gut microbiota dysbiosis and associated mechanisms in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet and HFD feeds supplemented with or without OFP (2.5%, 5% and 10%, n = 10) for 12 weeks. The results showed that supplementation of OFP caused strong inhibition on HFD-caused high blood glucose, body weight gain and liver fat accumulation, as well as dyslipidemia involved in a dose-dependent modulation of hepatic FAS and CD36 expressions of obese mice. The hepatic LXR-α energy metabolism and PPAR-α pathway were also doubly activated by OFP to alleviate lipogenesis, obesity and metabolic syndrome. Malonaldehyde production was effectively antagonized, and glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activities were elevated by OFP supplementation in HFD-fed mice. OFP also significantly improved colonic SCFAs (acetic acid, propionic acid and butyrate acid) formation, especially for butyrate production via increasing the proportion of selected butyrate-producing bacteria. OFP also dramatically modified the gut microbial species at the family level with suppressing an increase in Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria and F/B ratio, and the decrease in Bacteroidetes caused by HFD. These findings support that dietary OFP consumption is a novel strategy to prevent obesity, metabolic syndrome and gut microbiota imbalance.

Appetite Reducing Herbal Drugs from the Perspective of Avicenna and Aghili in Iranian Traditional Medicine (Persian medicine)

The increasing prevalence of obesity is one of the major problems of today's society. Man needs food to continue living, daily activities, and even the metabolism of food; and appetite plays an important role in receiving foods. Appetite and weight reducing synthetic drugs, which are mostly costly and have significant side effects, are recommended for some patients, and have limited effectiveness in the treatment of obesity. Given the epidemic of obesity and the lack of satisfaction with synthetic drugs these days, people are more likely to use herbal medicines. Complementary medicine has always been considered for the choice of new treatment. This medicine has a long history. Persian Medicine is one of the traditional medicine systems. This study was a qualitative study on the Books of Canon and the Makhzan Al-Aladvia. Saffron has been introduced in both modern medicine and in Iranian medicine to reduce appetite. In the case of Purslane seed and Chio nut, Figs, Sesame seeds, Camphor, and Solomon's seal, and Opium poppy, which have been appetite suppressant in traditional medicine books, in the books and articles of modern medicine, they have not proved to be appetite reducing. Modern medicine has known Gourd as a weight reducing food with the effects on fat but there is no talk about its effects on appetite. According to traditional Iranian medicine, Chio nut causes anorexia due to weakness in the stomach. Therefore, it is not advisable for weight loss. More clinical studies are conducted to prove the effects of appetite suppressant and weight loss effects of these herbal medicines seem logical.

Supplementation of okra seed oil ameliorates ethanol-induced liver injury and modulates gut microbiota dysbiosis in mice

This study assesses the possible effects of dietary okra seed oil (OSO) consumption on attenuation of alcohol-induced liver damage and gut microbiota dysbiosis, and associated mechanisms in mice.

Investigation of constituents from Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl and evaluation of their anti-inflammatory properties in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY RELEVANCE

Cinnamomum camphora (L.) J. Presl has been used for the traditional medicine as a therapeutic agent of inflammation-related diseases, including sprains, rheumatic arthritis, abdominal pain, cough and bronchitis, for a long history. The aim of the present study was to illustrate anti-inflammatory substances of C. camphora and their mechanism of action, and to establish the correlations between chemical constituents and traditional uses of this plant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Chemical constituents were purified by chromatographic methods, and their structures were established based on spectroscopic analysis. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages was adopted for evaluating the anti-inflammatory activity in vitro. The nitric oxide (NO) production assay and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) dual luciferase reporter assay were used to screen anti-inflammatory constituents. The mRNA and protein levels of inflammation-related cytokines and enzymes were determined by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunoblot analysis, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively.

RESULTS

Twenty-five constituents were isolated from the EtOH extract of C. camphora. Eight constituents, covering phenylpropanoid (7), lignans (10 and 22), flavonoids (16-18), coumarin (21), and terpenoid (24) significantly inhibited LPS-stimulated NO production with maximum inhibition rates (MIRs) of ≥ 80%, and thus were verified to be the anti-inflammatory substances of this ethnomedical plant. (+)-Episesaminone (SMO, 22) and 3S-(+)-9-oxonerolidol (NLD, 24) blocked NF-κB activation via inducing IκBα expression. Moreover, SMO and NLD inhibited productions of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and alleviated increased mRNA and protein levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX-2), and matrix metallopeptidase-9 (MMP-9) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages.

CONCLUSIONS

The ethnomedical use of C. camphora for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases was attributed to the combined in vitro anti-inflammatory activities of phenylpropanoid, lignan, flavonoid, coumarin, and terpenoid. SMO and NLD were found to be new molecules with in vitro anti-inflammatory activities, which are achieved by inhibiting NF-κB regulated inflammatory response.

Mutagenesis and characterization of a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain for Cinnamomum camphora seed kernel oil extraction by aqueous enzymatic method

The purpose of the present study was to increase the proteinase activity of the strain NCU116 by combining ultraviolet irradiation and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitroso guanidine treatment, in order to enhance the efficiency of Cinnamomum camphora seed kernel oil (CCSKO) extraction by aqueous enzymatic method (AEM). The mutated strain, designated as NCU116-1, was screened out by the ratio of hydrolytic zone diameter to colony diameter on skim milk plate. The proteinase activity (9116.1 U/ml) of NCU116-1 was increased by 31.9% compared with the parental strain. The extracellular enzymes produced by NCU116-1 included proteinase, pectase, glucoamylase, cellulase and amylase. The proteinase had the maximum activity at 50 °C. Its optimum temperature and pH value were approximately 45 °C and 8.0 respectively. Mn²⁺ was an activator of neutral proteinase. The glucoamylase had the maximum activity at 35 °C, and was activated by Cu²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Mn²⁺. Its optimum temperatures and pH value were 35 °C and 8.0 respectively. The pectinase had the maximum activity at 40 °C, and was activated by Ca²⁺ and Mn²⁺. Its optimum temperatures and pH value were 35-40 °C and 6.0 respectively. The optimum conditions of CCSKO extraction by AEM were also investigated. The results suggested that the best amount of enzyme solution and enzymolysis time were 20% (v/v) and 4 h, respectively. The oil extraction rate was 95.2% under these conditions. Thus, a suitable mutated strain was selected for CCSKO extraction by AEM and the optimum extraction conditions were determined.

Cinnamomum camphora Seed Kernel Oil Ameliorates Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Diet-Induced Obese Rats

Cinnamomum camphora seed kernel oil (CCSKO) was found to reduce body fat deposition and improve blood lipid in both healthy and obese rats. The study was aimed to investigate the antioxidative stress and anti-inflammatory effects of CCSKO in high-fat-diet-induced obese rats. The obese rats were treated with CCSKO, lard, and soybean oil, respectively, for 12 wk. The level of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase, and catalase, and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ, interleukin (IL)-6, and P65 were compared among CCSKO, lard, and soybean oil groups. Our results showed that the level of T-AOC and activities of SOD and catalase were significantly increased and the level of MDA was significantly decreased in CCSKO group. In addition, CCSKO treatment reduced the activities of serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase, and levels of serum TNF-α, IL-6, and P65 through raising the level of PPAR-γ. In conclusion, CCSKO has, for the first time, been found to ameliorate oxidative stress and inflammation in high-fat-diet-induced obese rats.

Medium-chain fatty acid reduces lipid accumulation by regulating expression of lipid-sensing genes in human liver cells with steatosis

Accumulation of lipids in the liver can lead to cell dysfunction and steatosis, an important factor in pathogenesis causing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The mechanisms related to lipid deposition in the liver, however, remain poorly understood. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) on the lipolysis and expression of lipid-sensing genes in human liver cells with steatosis. A cellular steatosis model, which is suitable to experimentally investigate the impact of fat accumulation in the liver, was established in human normal liver cells (LO2 cells) with a mixture of free fatty acids (oleate/palmitate, 2:1) at 200 μm for 24 h incubation. MCFA was found to down-regulate expression of liver X receptor-α, sterol regulatory element binding protein-1, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, CD 36 and lipoprotein lipase in this cellular model, and have positive effects on adipose triglyceride lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase. These results suggest that MCFA may reduce lipid accumulation by regulating key lipid-sensing genes in human liver cells with steatosis.