Synergistic activation of AMPK by AdipoR1/2 agonist and inhibitor of EDPs-EBP interaction recover NAFLD through enhancing mitochondrial function in mice

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), especially nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), is a common hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. However, there are no effective therapy to treat this devastating disease. Accumulating evidence suggests that the generation of elastin-derived peptides (EDPs) and the inhibition of adiponectin receptors (AdipoR)1/2 plays essential roles in hepatic lipid metabolism and liver fibrosis. We recently reported that the AdipoR1/2 dual agonist JT003 significantly degraded the extracellular matrix (ECM) and ameliorated liver fibrosis. However, the degradation of the ECM lead to the generation of EDPs, which could further alter liver homeostasis negatively. Thus, in this study, we successfully combined AdipoR1/2 agonist JT003 with V14, which acted as an inhibitor of EDPs-EBP interaction to overcome the defect of ECM degradation. We found that combination of JT003 and V14 possessed excellent synergistic benefits on ameliorating NASH and liver fibrosis than either alone since they compensate the shortage of each other. These effects are induced by the enhancement of the mitochondrial antioxidant capacity, mitophagy, and mitochondrial biogenesis via AMPK pathway. Furthermore, specific suppression of AMPK could block the effects of the combination of JT003 and V14 on reduced oxidative stress, increased mitophagy and mitochondrial biogenesis. These positive results suggested that this administration of combination of AdipoR1/2 dual agonist and inhibitor of EDPs-EBP interaction can be recommended alternatively for an effective and promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of NAFLD and NASH related fibrosis.

Valerenic Acid Promotes Adipocyte Differentiation, Adiponectin Production, and Glucose Uptake via Its PPARγ Ligand Activity

Although valerenic acid (VA) is an important marker compound for quantitative assessment of Valeriana officinalis products, little is known about its potential effects on adipocytes. We investigated the effects of VA on adipocyte differentiation, adiponectin production, and glucose uptake using 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The results showed that VA promoted adipocyte differentiation and increased the gene expression of adipogenesis and glucose uptake-related proteins, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), cytosine-cytosine-adenosine-adenosine-thymidine enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), adiponectin, and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4). Additionally, cell cultures treated with VA had elevated adiponectin secretion and glucose uptake. The PPARγ luciferase assay indicated VA as a partial agonist of PPARγ, while the analysis using its antagonist, GW9662, and a docking simulation between PPARγ and VA revealed the binding site of VA as likely adjacent to the Ω loop pocket of PPARγ. Taken together, these results demonstrate that VA acts as a PPARγ partial agonist to promote adipocyte differentiation, adiponectin production, and glucose uptake.

WSF-7 Inhibits Obesity-Mediated PPARγ Phosphorylation and Improves Insulin Sensitivity in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), the molecular target for antidiabetic thiazolidinediones (TZDs), is a master regulator of preadipocyte differentiation and lipid metabolism. The adverse side effects of TZDs, arising from their potent agonistic activity, can be minimized by PPARγ partial agonists or PPARγ non-agonists without loss of insulin sensitization. In this study, we reported that WSF-7, a synthetic chemical derived from natural monoterpene α-pinene, is a partial PPARγ agonist. We found that WSF-7 binds directly to PPARγ. Activation of PPARγ by WSF-7 promotes adipogenesis, adiponectin oligomerization and insulin-induced glucose uptake. WSF-7 also inhibits obesity-mediated PPARγ phosphorylation at serine (Ser)273 and improves insulin sensitivity of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our study suggested that WSF-7 activates PPARγ transcription by a mechanism different from that of rosiglitazone or luteolin. Therefore, WSF-7 might be a potential therapeutic drug to treat type 2 diabetes.

Kamiohnoyneosides A and B, two new polyacetylene glycosides from flowers of edible Chrysanthemum "Kamiohno"

Two new polyacetylene glycosides, kamiohnoyneosides A and B, were isolated from the flowers of edible Chrysanthemum "Kamiohno", along with a known polyacetylene glycoside and two known monoterpene glycosides. The structures of new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. Kamiohnoyneoside A and three known compounds moderately inhibited formation of N^ε-(carboxymethyl)lysine, one of the representative advanced glycation endproducts.

The Effect of Methanolic Valeriana officinalis Root Extract on Adipocyte Differentiation and Adiponectin Production in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Adipose tissue is an endocrine organ and its endocrine function is closely associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Valeriana officinalis (Valerian) exerts some physiological effects; however, its influence on adipocytes remains unclear. We investigated the effect of methanolic Valerian root extract (Vale) on 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Vale (1, 10, and 100 μg/mL) dose-dependently promoted adipocyte differentiation with increasing lipid accumulation. In addition, Vale significantly increased the mRNA levels in genes associated with adipocyte differentiation, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α , and adipocyte protein 2, in dose-dependent manner. Vale also significantly enhanced mRNA and protein levels in adiponectin. A PPARγ antagonist assay and a PPARγ binding assay revealed that Vale-induced increased adipocyte differentiation and adiponectin production were partly associated with direct binding to PPARγ. Valerenic acid, a characteristic component in Valerian, also demonstrated the ability to induce adipocyte differentiation and adiponectin secretion, suggesting that it is one of the functional components in Vale.

Antilipotoxicity Activity of Osmanthus fragrans and Chrysanthemum morifolium Flower Extracts in Hepatocytes and Renal Glomerular Mesangial Cells

The excess influx of free fatty acids (FFAs) into nonadipose tissues, such as those of liver and kidney, induces lipotoxicity leading to hepatic steatosis and renal dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of methanolic flower extracts of Osmanthus fragrans (OF) and Chrysanthemum morifolium (CM) against FFA-induced lipotoxicity in hepatocytes (human HepG2 cells) and renal glomerular mesangial cells (mouse SV40-Mes13 cells). The results showed that OF and CM significantly suppressed FFA-induced intracellular triacylglycerol accumulation via partially inhibiting the gene expression of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) in HepG2 cells. Both extracts inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by FFA-stimulated HepG2 cells. OF and CM also suppressed the mRNA expression of interleukin- (IL-) 1β, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α, and transforming growth factor- (TGF-) β by HepG2 cells treated with conditioned medium derived from lipopolysaccharide-treated THP-1 monocytes. Furthermore, OF and CM effectively inhibited oleate-induced cellular lipid accumulation, TGF-β secretion, and overexpression of fibronectin in mesangial cells. In conclusion, OF and CM possess hepatoprotective activity by inhibiting hepatic fat load and inflammation and renal protection by preventing FFA-induced mesangial extracellular matrix formation.

Identification of polycystic ovary syndrome potential drug targets based on pathobiological similarity in the protein-protein interaction network

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrinological disorders in reproductive aged women. PCOS and Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) are closely linked in multiple levels and possess high pathobiological similarity. Here, we put forward a new computational approach based on the pathobiological similarity to identify PCOS potential drug target modules (PPDT-Modules) and PCOS potential drug targets in the protein-protein interaction network (PPIN). From the systems level and biological background, 1 PPDT-Module and 22 PCOS potential drug targets were identified, 21 of which were verified by literatures to be associated with the pathogenesis of PCOS. 42 drugs targeting to 13 PCOS potential drug targets were investigated experimentally or clinically for PCOS. Evaluated by independent datasets, the whole PPDT-Module and 22 PCOS potential drug targets could not only reveal the drug response, but also distinguish the statuses between normal and disease. Our identified PPDT-Module and PCOS potential drug targets would shed light on the treatment of PCOS. And our approach would provide valuable insights to research on the pathogenesis and drug response of other diseases.