Anti-obesity effects of chikusetsusaponins isolated from Panax japonicus rhizomes

Potential Role of Phytochemicals as Glucagon-like Peptide 1 Receptor (GLP-1R) Agonists in the Treatment of Diabetes Mellitus

Currently, there is no known cure for diabetes. Different pharmaceutical therapies have been approved for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), some are in clinical trials and they have been classified according to their route or mechanism of action. Insulin types, sulfonylureas, biguanides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, thiazolidinediones, meglitinides, sodium-glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors, and incretin-dependent therapies (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists: GLP-1R, and dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitors: DPP-4). Although some of the currently available drugs are effective in the management of T2DM, the side effects resulting from prolonged use of these drugs remain a serious challenge. GLP-1R agonists are currently the preferred medications to include when oral metformin alone is insufficient to manage T2DM. Medicinal plants now play prominent roles in the management of various diseases globally because they are readily available and affordable as well as having limited and transient side effects. Recently, studies have reported the ability of phytochemicals to activate glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R), acting as an agonist just like the GLP-1R agonist with beneficial effects in the management of T2DM. Consequently, we propose that careful exploration of phytochemicals for the development of novel therapeutic candidates as GLP-1R agonists will be a welcome breakthrough in the management of T2DM and the co-morbidities associated with T2DM.

Total saponins from Panax japonicus regulated the intestinal microbiota to alleviate lipid metabolism disorders in aging mice

Total saponins from Panax japonicus (TSPJ) have many beneficial physiological activities, particularly in alleviating the damages of aging and abnormal lipid metabolism. This work used mice models to investigate if TSPJ reduced obesity and regulated metabolic functions via the intestinal microbiota, the disturbance of which has been shown to cause aging-related diseases. The results showed that TSPJ significantly reduced the weight and blood lipid level of aging mice. Further analyses showed that TSPJ significantly inhibited adipogenesis, changed the composition of the intestinal flora, and protected the integrity of the intestinal barrier. It was inferred from the accumulated experimental data that TSPJ helped to combat obesity in aging mice by regulating the intestinal microbiota and promoting microbial metabolism.

Novel glycosidase from Paenibacillus lactis 154 hydrolyzing the 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester bond of oleanane-type saponins

Oleanane-type ginsenosides are a class of compounds with remarkable pharmacological activities. However, the lack of effective preparation methods for specific rare ginsenosides has hindered the exploration of their pharmacological properties. In this study, a novel glycoside hydrolase PlGH3 was cloned from Paenibacillus lactis 154 and heterologous expressed in Escherichia coli. Sequence analysis revealed that PlGH3 consists of 749 amino acids with a molecular weight of 89.5 kDa, exhibiting the characteristic features of the glycoside hydrolase 3 family. The enzymatic characterization results of PlGH3 showed that the optimal reaction pH and temperature was 8 and 50 °C by using p-nitrophenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside as a substrate, respectively. The Km and kcat values towards ginsenoside Ro were 79.59 ± 3.42 µM and 18.52 s-1, respectively. PlGH3 exhibits a highly specific activity on hydrolyzing the 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester bond of oleanane-type saponins. The mechanism of hydrolysis specificity was then presumably elucidated through molecular docking. Eventually, four kinds of rare oleanane-type ginsenosides (calenduloside E, pseudoginsenoside RP1, zingibroside R1, and tarasaponin VI) were successfully prepared by biotransforming total saponins extracted from Panax japonicus. This study contributes to understanding the mechanism of enzymatic hydrolysis of the GH3 family and provides a practical route for the preparation of rare oleanane-type ginsenosides through biotransformation. KEY POINTS: • The glucose at C-28 in oleanane-type saponins can be directionally hydrolyzed. • Mechanisms to interpret PlGH3 substrate specificity by molecular docking. • Case of preparation of low-sugar alternative saponins by directed hydrolysis.

Suspension cell cultures of Panax vietnamensis as a biotechnological source of ginsenosides: growth, cytology, and ginsenoside profile assessment

Introduction

Panax vietnamensis is a valuable medicinal plant and a source of a broad spectrum of biologically active ginsenosides of different structural groups. Overexploitation and low adaptability to planation cultivation have made this species vulnerable to human pressure and prompted the development of cell cultivation in vitro as a sustainable alternative to harvesting wild plants for their bioactive components. Despite high interest in biotechnological production, little is known about the main factors affecting cell growth and ginsenoside biosynthesis of this species under in vitro conditions. In this study, the potential of cell cultures of P. vietnamensis as a biotechnological source of ginsenosides was was assessed.

Methods

Six suspension cell lines that were developed from different sections of a single rhizome through a multi-step culture optimization process and maintained for over 3 years on media with different mineral salt base and varying contents of auxins and cytokinins. These cell lines were evaluated for productivity parameters and cytological characteristics. Ginsenoside profiles were assessed using a combination of the reversed-phase ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-Orbitrap-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Orbitrap-MS/MS) and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-time of flight-mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF-MS).

Results

All lines demonstrated good growth with a specific growth rate of 0.1-0.2 day-1, economic coefficient of 0.31-0.70, productivity on dry weight (DW) of 0.30-0.83 gDW (L·day)-1, and maximum biomass accumulation varying from 10 to 22 gDW L-1. Ginsenosides of the protopanaxadiol (Rb1, Rb2/Rb3, malonyl-Rb1, and malonyl-Rb2/Rb3), oleanolic acid (R0 and chikusetsusaponin IV), and ocotillol (vinaginsenoside R1) groups and their isomers were identified in cell biomass extracts. Chikusetsusaponin IV was identified in P. vietnamensis cell culture for the first time.

Discussion

These results suggest that suspension cell cultures of Vietnamese ginseng have a high potential for the biotechnological production of biomass containing ginsenosides, particularly of the oleanolic acid and ocotillol groups.

Anti-Obesity Drug Delivery Systems: Recent Progress and Challenges

Obesity has reached an epidemic proportion in the last thirty years, and it is recognized as a major health issue in modern society now with the possibility of serious social and economic consequences. By the year 2030, nearly 60% of the global population may be obese or overweight, which emphasizes a need for novel obesity treatments. Various traditional approaches, such as pharmacotherapy and bariatric surgery, have been utilized in clinical settings to treat obesity. However, these methods frequently show the possibility of side effects while remaining ineffective. There is, therefore, an urgent need for alternative obesity treatments with improved efficacy and specificity. Polymeric materials and chemical strategies are employed in emerging drug delivery systems (DDSs) to enhance therapy effectiveness and specificity by stabilizing and controlling the release of active molecules such as natural ingredients. Designing DDSs is currently a top priority research objective with an eye towards creating obesity treatment approaches. In reality, the most recent trends in the literature demonstrate that there are not enough in-depth reviews that emphasize the current knowledge based on the creation and design of DDSs for obesity treatment. It is also observed in the existing literature that a complex interplay of different physical and chemical parameters must be considered carefully to determine the effectiveness of the DDSs, including microneedles, for obesity treatment. Additionally, it is observed that these properties depend on how the DDS is synthesized. Although many studies are at the animal-study stage, the use of more advanced DDS techniques would significantly enhance the development of safe and efficient treatment approaches for obese people in the future. Considering these, this review provides an overview of the current anti-obesity treatment approaches as well as the conventional anti-obesity therapeutics. The article aims to conduct an in-depth discussion on the current trends in obesity treatment approaches. Filling in this knowledge gap will lead to a greater understanding of the safest ways to manage obesity.

Panax japonicus C.A. Meyer: a comprehensive review on botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and authentication

BACKGROUND

Panax japonicus C.A. Meyer (Zhujieshen) is widely used in traditional medicine as a tonic hemostatic and anti-inflammatory agent in China, Japan, and Korea. Furthermore, it is used as an important substitute for ginseng roots by minority ethnic groups in China. The purpose of this review is to summarize the latest research on Zhujieshen in recent years, aiming at providing a systematic overview of the current knowledge, and perspectives for future research and exploitation.

MAIN BODY

This review examines the research advances in botanical profile, phytochemicals, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and authentication of Zhujieshen. Various compounds have been reported as active components, mainly including saponins, volatile oils, and polysaccharides. Pharmacological investigations have demonstrated that Zhujieshen is an important herb with significant bioactivities, such as anti-inflammatory, hepato-protective, cardio-protective, neuro-protective, anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-thrombotic and immunomodulatory activities.

CONCLUSION

Currently, research on Zhujieshen is in the preliminary stages, and further research is required to understand the active compounds present and mechanisms of action. We hope that this comprehensive review of Zhujieshen will serve as a background for future research and exploitation.

Methodologies for Assessing Pancreatic Lipase Catalytic Activity: A Review

Obesity is a disease of epidemic proportions with a concerning increasing trend. Regarded as one of the main sources of energy, lipids can also represent a big part of an unnecessary intake of calories and be, therefore, directly related to the problem of obesity. Pancreatic lipase is an enzyme that is essential in the absorption and digestion of dietary fats and has been explored as an alternative for the reduction of fat absorption and consequent weigh loss.Literature describes a great variability of methodologies and experimental conditions used in research to evaluate the in vitro inhibitory activity of compounds against pancreatic lipase. However, in an attempt to choose the best approach, it is necessary to know all the reaction conditions and understand how these can affect the enzymatic assay.The objective of this review is to understand and summarize the methodologies and respective experimental conditions that are mainly used to evaluate pancreatic lipase catalytic activity.156 studies were included in this work and a detailed description of the most commonly used UV/Vis spectrophotometric and fluorimetric instrumental techniques are presented, including a discussion regarding the differences found in the parameters used in both techniques, namely enzyme, substrate, buffer solutions, kinetics conditions, temperature and pH.This works shows that both UV/Vis spectrophotometry and fluorimetry are useful instrumental techniques for the evaluation of pancreatic lipase catalytic activity, presenting several advantages and limitations, which make the choice of parameters and experimental conditions a crucial decision to obtain the most reliable results.

The Hypoglycemic and Hypocholesterolemic Activity of Dioscorea deltoidea, Tribulus terrestris and Panax japonicus Cell Culture Biomass in Rats with High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity

Obesity, and its consequences for human health, is a huge and complicated problem that has no simple solution. The constant search for natural and safe compounds with systemic action that can be used for obesity prophylactics and treatment is hampered by the limited availability and variable quality of biomass of wild medicinal plants. Plant cell biotechnology is an alternative approach for the sustainable production of vegetative biomass or individual phytochemicals with high therapeutic potential. In this study, the suspension cell biomass of the medicinal plants, Dioscorea deltoidea Wall., Tribulus terrestris L., and Panax japonicus (T. Nees) C.A. Mey, produced in 20 L and 630 L bioreactors, were tested for therapeutic effects in rat models with alimentary-induced obesity. Three-month intake of water infusions of dry cell biomass (100 mg/g body weight) against the background of a hypercaloric diet reduced weight gain and the proportion of fat mass in the obese animals. In addition, cell biomass preparation reduced the intracellular dehydration and balanced the amounts of intra- and extracellular fluids in the body as determined by bioimpedance spectroscopy. A significant decrease in the glucose and cholesterol levels in the blood was also observed as a result of cell biomass administration for all species. Hypocholesterolemic activity reduced in the line P. japonicus > D. deltoidea > T. terrestris/liraglutide > intact group > control group. By the sum of parameters tested, the cell culture of D. deltoidea was considered the most effective in mitigating diet-induced obesity, with positive effects sometimes exceeding those of the reference drug liraglutide. A safety assessment of D. deltoidea cell phytopreparation showed no toxic effect on the reproductive function of the animals and their offspring. These results support the potential application of the biotechnologically produced cell biomass of medicinal plant species as safe and effective natural remedies for the treatment of obesity and related complications, particularly for the long-term treatment and during pregnancy and lactation periods when conventional treatment is often contraindicated.

Integrated transcriptome and proteome analyses reveal candidate genes for ginsenoside biosynthesis in Panax japonicus C. A. Meyer

Panax japonicus C. A. Meyer is a plant of the Araliaceae family, and its rhizomes can be used as dietary supplements. It is extremely rich in bioactive components ginsenosides with benefits to human health. However, the underlying mechanisms of ginsenosides biosynthesis in Panax japonicus remains poorly understood. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of the metabolites, transcriptome, and proteome was conducted to investigate ginsenoside metabolism of Panax japonicus. Here, three types of ginsenosides were found to exhibited tissue-specific distribution using the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method. Next, differentially expressed gene analysis revealed that transcript levels of ginsenosides biosynthetic genes have significant differences between differential samples. In addition, correlation analysis showed that the ginsenosides content was closely related to the expression level of 29 cytochrome P450s and 92 Uridine diphosphate-glycosyltransferases. Finally, phylogenetic analysis was performed for the target proteins to conduct preliminary studies on their functions and classification. This study provides insight into the dynamic changes and biosynthetic pathway of ginsenosides and offers valuable information on the metabolic regulation of Panax japonicus.

Phytochemical Analysis, Anti-inflammatory, and Anticancer Activities of the Halophyte Herb Bassia indica

Bassia indica (Wight) A.J. Scott, family Amaranthaceae, is a halophyte herb growing in extreme environments and hence deemed as a potential economic source of bioactive chemicals with functional properties. In our study, 25 compounds were obtained from B. indica. We aimed to assess the inhibitory effect of the methanol extract of B. indica and its isolated compounds on COX-2 and cytotoxicity activity against MCF-7, OVK-18, HepG2, and HCT116 tumor cells. Among the isolates, the triterpene oleanane saponin (23) displayed promising anti-inflammatory activity with an IC50 = 3.05 ± 0.15 μg/mL. Additionally, N- trans-feruloyl tyramine (11) exhibited significant cytotoxicity to OVK-18 with IC50 = 1.74 ± 1.56 μg/mL, whereas 6,7-dihydroxy coumarin (7) exhibited potent inhibition against the MCF-7 cell line with IC50 = 1.47 ± 0.22 μg/mL. Interestingly, compounds 1 and 25 exhibited remarkable cytotoxicity against HepG2 and HCT116 cells with IC50 < 0.1 μg/mL, while compounds 2, 4, 5, 6, and 9 exerted potent cytotoxicity against HepG2. Finally, B. indica is a potential source of candidate compounds for the development of anti-inflammatory and antitumor therapies.

Characteristics of Selected Silphium Species as Alternative Plants for Cultivation and Industry with Particular Emphasis on Research Conducted in Poland: A Review

This article reviews the available research results of selected species of the genus Silphium L. (Asteraceae) as alternative plants for crops and industry. Silphium species have valuable qualities across a wide range of uses, which is very important in considering plant resources as a green alternative to a sustainable future. Species of the genus Silphium are tall perennials found in fields, prairies, open forests, and groves in the central and eastern parts of the United States and Canada. Various tribes of Native North American used Silphium for medicinal purposes. The cup plant Silphium perfoliatum L. is the most popular species of the genus Silphium due to its attractive ornamental, honey−giving, healing, and forage qualities. As the literature review shows, species of the genus Silphium are characterized by a high production potential in terms of yields and contain significant amounts of nutrients, i.e., carbohydrates, proteins, and L-ascorbic acid, as well as minerals and biologically active substances, e.g., terpenoids and essential oils, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and oleanosides. In addition, the research confirmed the possibility of using Silphium for fodder, as honeybee forage, phytoremediation plants, for reclamation of degraded land, as plants for energy purposes (biomass, biogas), and as plants that provide components with antimicrobial activity. This review largely takes into account many years of research experience conducted in Poland.

Effect of Phytopreparations Based on Bioreactor-Grown Cell Biomass of Dioscorea deltoidea, Tribulus terrestris and Panax japonicus on Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

In the present study, we explored the therapeutic potential of bioreactor-grown cell cultures of the medicinal plant species Dioscorea deltoidea, Tribulus terrestris and Panax japonicus to treat carbohydrate metabolism disorders (CMDs) in laboratory rats. In the adrenaline model of hyperglycemia, aqueous suspensions of cell biomass pre-administered at a dose of 100 mg dry biomass/kg significantly reduced glucose level in animal blood 1–2.5 h (D. deltoidea and T. terrestris) or 1 h (P. japonicus) after adrenaline hydrochloride administration. In a streptozotocin-induced model of type 2 diabetes mellitus, the cell biomass of D. deltoidea and T. terrestris acted towards normalization of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, as evidenced by a significant reduction of daily diuresis (by 39–57%), blood-glucose level (by 46–51%), blood content in urine (by 78–80%) and total cholesterol (25–36%) compared to animals without treatment. Bioactive secondary metabolites identified in the cell cultures and potentially responsible for their actions were deltoside, 25(S)-protodioscin and protodioscin in D. deltoidea; furostanol-type steroidal glycosides and quinic acid derivatives in T. terrestris; and ginsenosides and malonyl-ginsenosides in P. japonicus. These results evidenced for high potential of bioreactor-grown cell suspensions of these species for prevention and treatment of CMD, which requires further investigation.

Pancreatic lipase inhibitors: The road voyaged and successes

Human pancreatic lipase (triacylglycerol acyl hydrolase EC3.1.1.3) is the most widely studied member of the human lipase superfamily related to carboxyl esterase. It is secreted from the acinar cell of pancreas and has strong preference for triacylglycerides over cholesterol esters, phospholipids, and galactolipids. Apart from the hydrolysis of triacylglycerides, pancreatic lipase may cause the hydrolysis of retinyl esters in vivo. So, it is very much evidenced that pancreatic lipase with its cofactor colipase has prominent role in efficient digestion of dietary fat. Hence, the modulation of human pancreatic lipase may represent a new insight in the discovery of a number of therapeutics that can inhibit the absorption of fat in body and can be used in obesity and other related metabolic disorders. Even, the only Food and drug administration (FDA) approved antiobesity drug, orlistat, is also an inhibitor of pancreatic lipase. This review summarizes studies about structure, mechanistic approach of pancreatic lipase enzyme while emphasizing on the various synthetic pancreatic lipase inhibitors with their structure activity relationship (SAR).

Panax japonicus and chikusetsusaponins: A review of diverse biological activities and pharmacology mechanism

Panax japonicus, which in the Tujia dialect is known as “Baisan Qi” and “Zhujieshen”, is a classic “qi” drug of Tujia ethnomedicine and it has unique effects on disease caused by “qi” stagnation and blood stasis. This paper serves as the basis of further scientific research and development of Panax japonicus. The pharmacology effects of molecular pharmacology were discussed and summarized. P. japonicus plays an important role on several diseases, such as rheumatic arthritis, cancer, cardiovascular agents, and this review provides new insights into P. japonicus as promising agents to substitute ginseng and notoginseng.

Traditional uses, chemical diversity and biological activities of Panax L. (Araliaceae): A review

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Panax L. (Araliaceae) is globally-recognized plant resource suitable for the globalization of traditional Chinese medicines. It has traditionally been used as tonic agents in various ethnomedicinal systems of East Asia, especially in China. It is often used to regulate bodily functions and considered as adjuvant therapy for tumor, resuscitation of traumatic hemorrhagic shock, etc. AIM OF THIS REVIEW: This review systematically summarized the information on distributions, botanical characteristics, traditional uses, chemical components and biological activities of the genus Panax, in order to explore and exploit the therapeutic potential of this plant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The available information about genus Panax was collected via the online search on Web of Science, Google Scholar, PubMed, Baidu Scholar, Science Direct, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Springer search. The keywords used include Panax, saponin, secondary metabolites, chemical components, biological activity, pharmacology, traditional medicinal uses, safety and other related words. The Plant List (www.theplantlist.org) and Catalogue of Life: 2019 Annual Checklist (www.catalogueoflife.org/col/) databases were used to provide the scientific names, subspecies classification and distribution information of Panax.

RESULTS

Panax is widely assessed concerning its phytochemistry and biological activities. To date, at least 748 chemical compounds from genus Panax were isolated, including saponins, flavonoids, polysaccharides, steroids and phenols. Among them, triterpenoid saponins and polysaccharides were the representative active ingredients of Panax plants, which have been widely investigated. Modern pharmacological studies showed that these compounds exhibited a wide range of biological activities in vitro and in vivo including antineoplastic, anti-inflammatory, hepatorenal protective, neuroprotective, immunoregulatory, cardioprotective and antidiabetic activities. Many studies also confirmed that the mechanisms of organ-protective were closely related to molecular signaling pathways, the expression of related proteins and antioxidant reactions. To sum up, genus Panax has high medicinal and social value, deserving further investigation.

CONCLUSIONS

The genus Panax is very promising to be fully utilized in the development of nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products. However, there is a lack of in-depth studies on ethnomedicinal uses of Panax plants. In addition, further studies of single chemical component should be performed based on the diversity of chemical structure, significant biological activities and clinical application. If the bioactive molecules and multicomponent interactions are discovered, it will be of great significance to the clinical application of Panax plants. It is an urgent requirement to carry out detailed phytochemical, pharmacology and clinical research on Panax classical prescriptions for the establishment of modern medication guidelines. Exploring the molecular basis of herbal synergistic actions may provide a new understanding of the complex disease mechanisms and accelerate the process of pharmaceutical development.

Current Evidence to Propose Different Food Supplements for Weight Loss: A Comprehensive Review

The use of food supplements for weight loss purposes has rapidly gained popularity as the prevalence of obesity increases. Navigating through the vast, often low quality, literature available is challenging, as is providing informed advice to those asking for it. Herein, we provide a comprehensive literature revision focusing on most currently marketed dietary supplements claimed to favor weight loss, classifying them by their purported mechanism of action. We conclude by proposing a combination of supplements most supported by current evidence, that leverages all mechanisms of action possibly leading to a synergistic effect and greater weight loss in the foreseen absence of adverse events. Further studies will be needed to confirm the weight loss and metabolic improvement that may be obtained through the use of the proposed combination.

Effects of total saponins from Panacis majoris Rhizoma and its degradation products on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Panacis majoris Rhizoma, which is a member of herbal medicine, is known for many years to remove blood stasis, promote blood circulation, and enrich the blood. The active ingredients of this plant are mainly attributed to saponins.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The total saponins from Panacis majoris Rhizoma (TSPJ), and the degradation products of TSPJ (DTSPJ), were designed in this study to compare the protective effects on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, and the aim of this approach is to discover more effective agents for the treatment of ischemic heart diseases. We analyzed the main constituents of TSPJ and DTSPJ, aiming to make clear which saponins played important roles in this protective effect, and also investigated the possible mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

DTSPJ was prepared by the method of alkaline hydrolysis. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to analyze the main chemical constituents of TSPJ and DTSPJ, which were isolated by chromatographic techniques and identified by comparison with the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) data in reported literature. Male Wistar rats were randomized to sham-operated group, ischemia-reperfusion group, three TSPJ (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) groups, three DTSPJ (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) groups, and isosorbide dinitrate tablet (5.0 mg/kg) group. The rats in all groups were intragastrically administrated once per day for three successive days. The establishment of the model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury was used the following method: firstly, the left coronary artery of experimental rat was ligated for 30 min and then reperfused for 120 min. Then the myocardial infarct size, hemorheological and biochemical parameters, whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, platelet adhesion rate, platelet aggregation and histopathology changes were assessed.

RESULTS

Five C₃,C₂₈-bidesmosidic oleanane-type saponins and ginsenoside Rd were the main constituents of TSPJ, and their total content in TSPJ was 79.2 %. The main constituents of DTSPJ were five C₃-monodesmosidic oleanane-type saponins and ginsenoside Rd, and their total content in DTSPJ was 72.6 %. The HPLC analysis revealed that the five C₃,C₂₈-bidesmosidic oleanane-type saponins in TSPJ were completely turned into five C₃-monodesmosidic oleanane-type saponins in DTSPJ through the method of alkaline hydrolysis, but ginsenoside Rd remained unchanged. Both TSPJ and DTSPJ could significantly reduced myocardial infarct size, and improved heart function, and lowered the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase isoenzymes (CK-MB), and malonyldialdehyde (MDA) content, as well as the levels of whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, platelet adhesion rate, and platelet aggregation; on the contrary, both the level of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were notablely increased. The results of histopathological examination further supported the cardioprotective effects of TSPJ and DTSPJ.

CONCLUSION

Both TSPJ and DTSPJ can guard cardiomyocytes against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. The underlying mechanisms may be closely related to its enhancing anti-oxidative properties, modifying blood viscosity, and inhibiting platelet aggregation and platelet adhesion. As a whole, the protection of DTSPJ against myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury was a little stronger than those of TSPJ. The results display the prospect of DTSPJ as a drug candidate for treating ischemic heart disease.

A review of saponin intervention in metabolic syndrome suggests further study on intestinal microbiota

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a series of symptoms including insulin resistance, obesity, dyslipidemia, elevated fasting blood glucose levels, and hepatic steatosis. As a key criterion in MetS, the onset of insulin resistance is related to abnormal levels of circulating free fatty acids and adipokines. It has been discovered in recent years that metabolites and pathogen-associated molecular patterns of intestinal/gut microbiota are also important factors that cause insulin resistance and MetS. Saponins are the main components of many botanicals and traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), such as ginseng, platycodon, licorice, and alfalfa. They have poor bioavailability, but can be transformed into secondary glycosides and aglycones by intestinal microbiota, further being absorbed. Based on in vivo and in vitro data, we found that saponins and their secondary metabolites have a preventive effect on MetS, and the effective targets are distributed in the intestine and other organs in human body. Intestinal targets involve pancreatic lipase, dietary cholesterol, and intestinal microbiota. Other targets include central appetite, nuclear receptors such as PPAR and LXR, AMPK signaling pathway and adipokines levels, etc. In view of the poor bioavailability of saponins, it is inferred that targets for prototype-saponins to interfere with MetS is mainly located in the intestine, and the activation of other targets may be related to secondary glycosides and aglycones transformed from saponins by intestinal flora. We suggest that the role of intestinal microbiota in saponin intervention in MetS should be further investigated.

Clinical effects of slim-diet, with lifestyle modification for childhood obesity in community-based healthcare program: A case series

RATIONALE

Although there are several reports on the effect of herbal medicine on weight loss in adults, evidence supporting its efficacy and safety in obese pediatrics is insufficient. Herein, we clinically investigated the preliminary experience of community-based healthcare program in cases of childhood obesity treated with an herbal complex, Slim-diet (SD), along with lifestyle modification.

PATIENT CONCERNS

Seventeen subjects with childhood obesity participated in a community-based healthcare program, which consisted of twice-a-week play type physical activity and dietary counseling program with simultaneous twice-a-day administration of SD for 4 weeks.

DIAGNOSES

The data of 13 obese pediatrics (body mass index [BMI] ≥ the 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex) in their 3rd to 6th grade who finally completed at least 6 visits out of a total of 8 visits of the program including baseline and endpoint assessments were analyzed.

INTERVENTIONS

Participants received 20 g of SD daily. Simultaneously, play-type physical activity program with an exercise therapist and dietary counseling with a dietitian for lifestyle modification were conducted at every visit. Body composition, blood chemistry, the Korean Youth Physical Activity Questionnaire (KYPAQ) score, and the preference for salt density and sugar content were assessed at baseline and endpoint.

OUTCOMES

After SD administration, body mass index decreased from 26.74 ± 2.11 kg/m to 26.50 ± 2.20 kg/m (P < .05) with statistically significant increases in height, weight, and skeletal muscle mass. The results of blood chemistry and the KYPAQ score showed no significant change. The preferences for salt density were improved in 8, maintained in 2, and worsened in 3 participants and those for sugar content were improved in 6 and maintained in 7 participants with no worsening.

LESSONS

In the present study, we showed the clinical effects of SD with lifestyle modification in patients with childhood obesity who participated in community-based healthcare program. Further clinical studies investigating the effects of SD are required.

Antioxidant compounds of Petasites japonicus and their preventive effects in chronic diseases: a review

Petasites japonicus (P. japonicus) is a plant of the Asteraceae family. Its roots and stems have been used for the treatment or the prophylaxis of migraine and tension headache as a traditional Chinese medicine in Japan and Korea. Sesquiterpenoids, lignans, and flavonoids are components of P. japonicus. Regarding the biological activity of P. japonicus, its anti-allergic effect has been researched extensively using IgE antigen-stimulated degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells or passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction in experimental animal models. The study of the antioxidant activity of P. japonicus was initiated approximately 15 years ago using in vitro assays. In addition, its in vivo effect has also been examined in animal models with induced oxidative injury. Moreover, recently, many types of antioxidant compounds have been rapidly and simultaneously identified using the liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry technique. The number of reports on the other functions of this plant, such as its neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects, has been increasing. In this review, I summarized the studies of functional foods derived from P. japonicus, which may provide a basis for the development of potential functional foods. Finally, I discuss the future research avenues in this field.

New insights into potential nutritional effects of dietary saponins in protecting against the development of obesity

Excessive energy intake, poor physical exercise and genetics/epigenetics are instrumental for the development of obesity. Because of rapidly emerging evidences related to off-target effects and toxicity of anti-obesity drugs, there is a need to search for more effective and targeted drugs for treatment of obesity. Substantial studies have found the nutritional effects of dietary saponins (bio-detergents) in terms of decreasing the synthesis of lipids, suppressing adipogenesis, inhibiting intestinal absorption of lipids, and promoting fecal excretion of bile acids and triglycerides. Dietary saponin have been approved as potent pancreatic lipase inhibitors, disaccharidase enzyme inhibitors, antagonistic to in vitro lipogenesis and in vivo appetite suppressants, antioxidants, immune-regulators, prevent fatty liver formation, protects epithelial vasculature and regulate body weight. Many dietary saponins, such as sibutramine, morgoside, sessiloside, soysaponin B, and diosgenin, have treatment potential against the development of obesity. Excellent scientific achievements have been developed for a better understanding the mechanism of saponins in preventing obesity.

Targeting obesity with plant-derived pancreatic lipase inhibitors: A comprehensive review

The prevalence of obesity is alarmingly increasing in the last few decades and leading to many serious public health concerns worldwide. The dysregulated lipid homeostasis due to various genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors is considered one of the critical putative pathways mediating obesity. Nonetheless, the scientific advancements unleashing the molecular dynamics of lipid metabolism have provided deeper insights on the emerging roles of lipid hydrolysing enzymes, including pancreatic lipase. It is hypothesized that inhibiting pancreatic lipase would prevent the breakdown of triglyceride and delays the absorption of fatty acids into the systemic circulation and adipocytes. Whilst, orlistat is the only conventional pancreatic lipase enzyme inhibitor available in clinics, identifying the safe clinical alternatives from plants to inhibit pancreatic lipase has been considered a significant advancement. Consequently, plants which have shown significant potential to combat obesity are now revisited for its abilities to inhibit pancreatic lipase. In this regard, our review surveyed the potential of medicinal plants and its phytoconstituents to inhibit pancreatic lipase and to elicit anti-obesity effects. Thus, the review collate and critically appraise the potential of medicinal plants and phyto-molecules inhibiting pancreatic lipase enzyme and consequently modulating triglyceride absorption in gut, and discuss its implications in the development of novel therapeutic strategies to combat obesity.

Dietary fermented products using koji mold and sweet potato-shochu distillery by-product promotes hepatic and serum cholesterol levels and modulates gut microbiota in mice fed a high-cholesterol diet

It has been reported that fermented products (FPs) prepared from sweet potato-shochu distillery by-product suppressed weight gain and decreased serum cholesterol levels in mice under normal dietary conditions. Furthermore, from the information gained from the above data regarding health benefits of the FPs, the aim of this study was evaluating the effects of dietary FPs on lipid accumulation and gut microbiota in mice with or without cholesterol-load in the diet. C57BL/6N mice were fed normal (CO) diet, CO with 10% FPs (CO + FPs) diet, cholesterol loaded (HC) diet, or HC with 10% FPs (HC + FPs) diet for 8 weeks. The mice were then euthanized, and blood samples, tissue samples, and feces were collected. The adipose tissue weight and liver triglyceride levels in the HC + FPs diet groups were significantly reduced compared to that in the HC diet groups. However, FPs significantly increased the serum non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, the ratio of non-HDL-C to HDL-C and hepatic total cholesterol levels in mice fed cholesterol-loaded diet compared with that of the HC diet group. Since dietary FPs significantly decreased the protein expression levels of cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase 1 in the HC + FPs diet groups, the cholesterol accumulation in FPs group may be explained by insufficient catabolism from cholesterol to bile acid. In addition, the dietary FPs tended to increase Clostridium cluster IV and XIVa, which are butyrate-producing bacteria. Related to the result, n-butyrate was significantly increased in the CO + FPs and the HC + FPs diet groups compared to their respective control groups. These findings suggested that dietary FPs modulated the lipid pool and gut microbiota.

Determination of major components from Radix Achyranthes bidentate using ultra high performance liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry and an evaluation of their anti-osteoporosis effect in vitro

Ecdysterone and saponins are the most characteristic components of Radix Achyranthes bidentate, which acts on the human body to promote collagen synthesis and stimulates cell growth. However, the relationship between these components and the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells is unknown. We developed a rapid ultra high performance liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry method for direct determination of one ecdysterone and four saponins in crude and salt-processed Radix Achyranthes bidentate. The method was interrogated in terms of linearity, intra- and inter-day precision, repeatability, stability and recovery. The method was linear within the concentration ranges of 0.003-336 μg/mL for β-ecdysterone, 0.0035-130 μg/mL for 25S-inokosterone, 0.004-423 μg/mL for ginsenoside Ro, 0.0036-66 μg/mL for chikusetsusaponin IV and 0.0044-111 μg/mL for chikusetsusaponin IVa. The intra- and inter-day precisions were all within 2.7%. The standard addition method determined recovery rates for each component (98.7-102.5%). The method was successfully applied to simultaneously quantify five components in ten batches of crude and salt-processed Radix Achyranthes bidentate. Subsequently, the examination of these extracts on the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells were carried out. Finally, the relationships between the contents of five components and their anti-osteoporosis effect were investigated by using canonical correlation analysis.

Potential Anti-obesity and Lipid Lowering Natural Products: A Review

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, with more than 1 billion adults overweight - at least 300 million of them clinically obese. In Ayurveda, obesity is called ‘medoroga’. The detailed features and treatments of the disease have been described in an old Ayurvedic text, Charak and Sushrut Samhita. There are some native plants that are commonly used for the treatment of obesity in Ayurveda. Unfortunately, only few medications are available in the market, with side effects and unacceptable efficacy. With the current view that botanical drugs can be developed faster and more cheaply than conventional single entity pharmaceuticals, the review mainly focuses on the rationality of their use with appropriate literature data support.

Water Extract of Pleurotus eryngii var. ferulae Prevents High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity by Inhibiting Pancreatic Lipase

Pleurotus eryngii var. ferulae (PEF) is traditionally used in the prevention and treatment of lifestyle-related diseases. In this study, we investigated the ability of PEF extract to prevent obesity and metabolic diseases and explored the underlying mechanism. Mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) containing PEF extract for 12 weeks, and their body weight, adipose tissue and liver weights, and lipid profiles and blood glucose levels, were monitored. Fecal triglyceride (TG) levels were also measured and olive oil-loading tests were performed. Furthermore, the effect of PEF extract on pancreatic lipase (PL) activity was examined in vitro. Treatment with PEF extract for 12 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in the HFD-induced increases in body weight, white adipose tissue weight, liver weights, and lipid profiles, and improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. To assess the mechanism underlying the effect of PEF extract on obesity and diabetes, we investigated its role in inhibiting lipid absorption. Consumption of an HFD containing PEF extract significantly increased the TG level in feces compared with the controls, suggesting inhibition of TG absorption in the digestive tract. Furthermore, PEF extract suppressed the increase in serum TG levels resulting from oral administration of a lipid emulsion to mice, confirming inhibition of TG absorption. Moreover, PEF extract inhibited PL activity in vitro. Our combined results indicate that the anti-obesity and antidiabetic effect of PEF extract in mice fed an HFD may be caused by inhibition of lipid absorption as a result of reduced PL activity.

A liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry approach for study the tissue distributions of five components of crude and salt-processed Radix Achyranthes in rats

This study developed a robust and reliable approach using liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry for the simultaneous determination of five saponins in rat tissues: β-ecdysterone, chikusetsusaponin IV, ginsenoside Ro, 25S-inokosterone and chikusetsusaponin IVa. This is the first report on a comparative tissue distribution study of crude and salt-processed Radix Achyranthes in rats. After one-step protein precipitation by acetonitrile, the tissue samples were sent to LC-MS/MS for multiple reaction monitoring. The retention times of the five saponins and internal standard were 1.77, 3.14, 3.01, 1.83, 3.26 and 4.77 min. The standard curves showed good linear regression (r²  > 0.9991) in the range of 10.3-1562.5 ng/mL. The intra- and inter-day accuracy and precision were within 15% of the nominal concentration. The recoveries of the five saponins were 92.0-99.9%. Finally, this approach was successfully applied to tissue distribution analysis of the five saponins after oral administration of crude and salt-processed Radix Achyranthes in rats. The largest concentration of the five saponins was observed in kidney after salt-processing, which indicated that processing could enhance the bioavailability.

In vitro α-amylase, α-glucosidase, lipase inhibitory and cytotoxic activities of tuber extracts of Kedrostis africana (L.) Cogn

Kedrostis africana, is a tuberous plant commonly used by traditional healers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa for the management of obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiobesity and cytotoxic effects of Kedrostis africana extracts in vitro The α-amylase, α-glucosidase and lipase inhibitory activities of aqueous and ethanol extracts of Kedrostis africana tuber were investigated while the cytotoxic effects of these extracts were analyzed using Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide (PI) dual staining in combination with Molecular Devices ImageXpress Micro XLS Widefield microscope for high content analysis on human cervical (HeLa) cell line. The ethanol extract exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect on pancreatic lipase (IC₅₀ = 381.86 μg/ml) and on α-glucosidase (IC₅₀ = 157.99 μg/mL) while the aqueous extract has strongest α-amylase (IC₅₀ = 439.45 μg/ml). Both tuber extracts were found nontoxic at tested concentrations on HeLa cell lines as confirmed by the Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide dual staining respectively. This study revealed that both the aqueous and ethanol tuber extract of K. africana exerts a certain degree of inhibitory effect on α-amylase, α-glucosidase and lipase and were also nontoxic to HeLa cell line at tested concentrations.

Natural products for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: Pharmacology and mechanisms

Epidemiological studies have implied that diabetes mellitus (DM) will become an epidemic accompany with metabolic and endocrine disorders worldwide. Most of DM patients are affected by type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with insulin resistance and insulin secretion defect. Generally, the strategies to treat T2DM are diet control, moderate exercise, hypoglycemic and lipid-lowing agents. Despite the therapeutic benefits for the treatment of T2DM, most of the drugs can produce some undesirable side effects. Considering the pathogenesis of T2DM, natural products (NPs) have become the important resources of bioactive agents for anti-T2DM drug discovery. Recently, more and more natural components have been elucidated to possess anti-T2DM properties, and many efforts have been carried out to elucidate the possible mechanisms. The aim of this paper was to overview the activities and underlying mechanisms of NPs against T2DM. Developments of anti-T2DM agents will be greatly promoted with the increasing comprehensions of NPs for their multiple regulating effects on various targets and signal pathways.

Extraction and in vitro screening of potential acetylcholinesterase inhibitors from the leaves of Panax japonicus

Ultrafiltration liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UFLC-MS) is an efficient method that can be applied to rapidly screen and identify ligands for acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from the leaves of Panax japonicus. Using this method, we identified 5 major compounds, chikusetsusaponins V, Ib, IV, IVa, and IVa ethyl ester, as potent AChE inhibitors, which were assessed for anti-Alzheimer disease activity using the PC12 cell model. A continuous online method, which consisted of microwave-assisted extraction, a solvent concentration tank, and centrifugal partition chromatography (MAE-SCT-CPC), was newly developed for scaled up production of these compounds with high purity and efficiency. The bioactivities of the compounds separated were assessed by the PC12 cell model. This novel approach of using UFLC-MS coupled with MAE-SCT-CPC and a PC12 cell model could be applied to efficiently screen, extract, and separate AChE inhibitors from complex samples, and could serve as an important platform for the large-scale production of functional food and nutraceutical ingredients.

Medicinal plants for the treatment of obesity: ethnopharmacological approach and chemical and biological studies

Obesity is a global epidemic that has shown a steady increase in morbimortality indicators; it is considered a social problem and entails serious health risks. One of the alternatives in the treatment of obesity is the traditional use of medicinal plants, which supports the research and development of obesity phytotherapy. In this article, we provide information about ethnopharmacological species used to treat obesity, through an electronic search of the periodical databases Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed and Scielo, considering the period 1996-2015 and using the descriptors "plants for obesity", "ethnopharmacology for obesity" and "anti-obesity plants" in both Portuguese and English. We analyzed and organized data on 76 plant species, cataloged per the taxonomy, geographic distribution, botanical aspects, popular use, and chemical and biological studies of the listed plants. The anti-obesity effect of the cataloged species was reported, describing actions on the delay of fat absorption, suppression of enzymatic activities, mediation of lipid levels and increase of lipolytic effects, attributed mainly to phenolic compounds. Given these findings, ethnopharmacological approaches are relevant scientific tools in the selection of plant species for studies that demonstrate anti-obesity action. Deeper botanical, chemical, pre-clinical and clinical studies are particularly necessary for species that present phenolic compounds in their chemical structure.

Indole Derivatives Isolated from Brown Alga Sargassum thunbergii Inhibit Adipogenesis through AMPK Activation in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes

Seaweed, a popular and abundant food ingredient mainly consumed in Asian countries, is a good source of bioactive compounds with anti-obesity effects. However, the anti-obesity effects of Sargassum thunbergii have not yet been established. In this study, we isolated six indole derivatives (STCs)-indole-2-carboxaldehyde (STC-1), indole-3-carboxaldehyde (STC-2), indole-4-carboxaldehyde (STC-3), indole-5-carboxaldehyde (STC-4), indole-6-carboxaldehyde (STC-5), and indole-7-carboxaldehyde (STC-6)-from S. thunbergii and evaluated their inhibitory effects on adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. We found that STC-1 and STC-5 resulted in non-toxic inhibition of the differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and thus selected these compounds for further study. STC-1 and STC-5 significantly inhibited lipid accumulation and downregulated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) in a dose-dependent manner. The specific mechanism mediating the effects of STC-1 and STC-5 was shown to be AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. Our results demonstrated the inhibitory effect of STC-1 and STC-5 on adipogenesis through the activation of the AMPK signal pathway. Together, these findings suggested that STC-1 and STC-5 may be effective candidates for the prevention of obesity or obesity-related diseases.

Natural Products with Anti-obesity Effects and Different Mechanisms of Action

Obesity, a primary influence on health condition, causes numerous comorbidities and complications and, therefore, pharmacotherapy is considered a strategy for its treatment. However, the adverse effects of most chemical drugs targeting weight loss complicate their approval by regulatory authorities. Recently, interest has increased in the development of ingredients from natural sources with fewer adverse effects for preventing and ameliorating obesity. This review provides an overview of current anti-obesity drugs and natural products with anti-obesity properties as well as their mechanisms of action, which include interfering with nutrient absorption, decreasing adipogenesis, increasing energy expenditure (thermogenesis), appetite suppression, modifying intestinal microbiota composition, and increasing fecal fat excretion.

Potential lipase inhibitors from Chinese medicinal herbs

CONTEXT

Obesity has become a major health concern, and it places both personal and economic burdens on the world's population. Traditional Chinese medicinal herbs are rich source of lead compounds and are possible drug candidates, which may be used to treat this condition.

OBJECTIVE

This study screened potent pancreatic lipase inhibitors found in traditional Chinese medicinal herbs for ability to treat obesity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A porcine pancreatic lipase inhibition assay was established, and the inhibitory activity of 35 traditional Chinese medicinal herbs was evaluated at a concentration of 200 μg/mL. Two elutions of herbal extracts with strong lipase inhibitory activity were further fractionated by preparative high-performance liquid chromatography into 22 sub-fractions each, and these sub-fractions were tested for anti-lipase activity. Sub-fractions, which exhibited strong lipase inhibitory activity, were continuously fractionated into individual compounds. Two active compounds with potent anti-lipase activity were finally isolated and identified from two traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, respectively.

RESULTS

Among 35 traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, the 95% ethanol elutions of Panax notoginseng (Burk.) F.H. Chen (Araliaceae) and Magnolia officinalis Rehd. et Wils (Magnoliaceae) showed strong anti-lipase activity. Two compounds, including 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 and honokiol were identified using bioactivity-guided isolation with IC₅₀=33.7 and 59.4 μg/mL, respectively.

CONCLUSION

20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 and honokiol might be suitable candidates for the treatment of obesity.

Influence of a Protein Concentrate from Amaranthus cruentus Seeds on Lipid Metabolism

It is widely known that elevated cholesterol and triglycerides levels favor the development of heart disease. In this paper we studied the effect of a protein concentrate from Amaranthus cruentus (Ac) on the lipid content in serum and liver tissue of male Wistar rats. The animals were separated into two groups, each group with 16 rats. The control diet had casein as protein source (CD), and the experimental one had Ac protein concentrate (PCAcD). The diets contained 1% cholesterol. Parameters of oxidative stress in liver with CD and PCAcD were also evaluated. No significant differences were observed in serum total cholesterol, whereas LDL decreased and HDL increased (P < 0.001), and the amount of triglycerides decreased in PCAcD as compared to CD. In liver, a decrease of total cholesterol and triglycerides (P < 0.001) was observed in the experimental group in relation to control. Fatty acid synthase (FAS) activity decreased significantly in the experimental group. The mRNA of HMG-CoA reductase did not change, and mRNA of FAS decreased in rat liver fed with PCAcD compared with CD. The excretion of total lipids in feces increased with PCAcD compared to CD (P < 0.001). The activity of reactive substances to thiobarbituric acid in liver showed no significant differences between the control and experimental diets. However, total glutathione and reduced glutathione increased in PCAcD compared to CD (P < 0.001). It can be concluded that PCAcD has a hypotriglyceridemic effect, affects the metabolism of liver lipids, and increases parameters of antioxidant protection in male Wistar rats.

Effects of Saponins on Lipid Metabolism: A Review of Potential Health Benefits in the Treatment of Obesity

Obesity is one of the greatest public health problems. This complex condition has reached epidemic proportions in many parts of the world, and it constitutes a risk factor for several chronic disorders, such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. In the last few decades, several studies dealt with the potential effects of natural products as new safe and effective tools for body weight control. Saponins are naturally-occurring surface-active glycosides, mainly produced by plants, whose structure consists of a sugar moiety linked to a hydrophobic aglycone (a steroid or a triterpene). Many pharmacological properties have been reported for these compounds, such as anti-inflammatory, immunostimulant, hypocholesterolemic, hypoglycemic, antifungal and cytotoxic activities. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of recent studies about the anti-obesity therapeutic potential of saponins isolated from medicinal plants. Results on the in vitro and in vivo activity of this class of phytochemicals are here presented and discussed. The most interesting findings about their possible mechanism of action and their potential health benefits in the treatment of obesity are reported, as well.

Saponin-enriched sea cucumber extracts exhibit an antiobesity effect through inhibition of pancreatic lipase activity and upregulation of LXR-β signaling

CONTEXT

Sea cucumbers have been consumed as tonic, food, and nutrition supplements for many years.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to investigate the antiobesity and lipid-lowering effects of sea cucumber extracts in in vitro and in vivo models and elucidate the mechanism of action of the extracts on obesity and dyslipidemia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The 60% ethanol extracts from the body walls of 10 different sea cucumbers were investigated for the inhibition of pancreatic lipase (PL) activity in vitro. The optimal active extract (SC-3) was further chemically analyzed by LC-MS and UV. And 0.1% and 0.2% of SC-3 was mixed with a high-fat diet to treat C57/BL6 mice for 6 weeks or 2 weeks as preventive and therapeutic study. The body weight, serum, and liver lipid profile in the mice were investigated.

RESULTS

The crude extract of Pearsonothuria graeffei Semper (Holothuriidae) inhibited the PL activity by 36.44% of control at 0.5 μg/mL. SC-3 and echinoside A inhibited PL with an IC50 value at 2.86 μg/mL and 0.76 μM. 0.1% of SC-3 reduced the body weight (23.0 ± 0.62 versus 26.3 ± 0.76 g), the serum TC (2.46 ± 0.04 versus 2.83 ± 0.12 mmol/L), TG (0.19 ± 0.08 versus 0.40 ± 0.03 mmo/L), and LDL-c (0.48 ± 0.02 versus 0.51 ± 0.02 mmol/L), and liver TC (1.19 ± 0.17 versus 1.85 ± 0.13 mmol/mg) and TG (6.18 ± 0.92 versus 10.87 ± 0.97 mmol/mg) contents of the obese C57BL/six mice on a high-fat diet.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Sea cucumber may be used for developing antiobesity and antihyperlipidemia drugs.

RNA-seq Transcriptome Analysis of Panax japonicus, and Its Comparison with Other Panax Species to Identify Potential Genes Involved in the Saponins Biosynthesis

The Panax genus has been a source of natural medicine, benefitting human health over the ages, among which the Panax japonicus represents an important species. Our understanding of several key pathways and enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of ginsenosides, a pharmacologically active class of metabolites and a major chemical constituents of the rhizome extracts from the Panax species, are limited. Limited genomic information, and lack of studies on comparative transcriptomics across the Panax species have restricted our understanding of the biosynthetic mechanisms of these and many other important classes of phytochemicals. Herein, we describe Illumina based RNA sequencing analysis to characterize the transcriptome and expression profiles of genes expressed in the five tissues of P. japonicus, and its comparison with other Panax species. RNA sequencing and de novo transcriptome assembly for P. japonicus resulted in a total of 135,235 unigenes with 78,794 (58.24%) unigenes being annotated using NCBI-nr database. Transcriptome profiling, and gene ontology enrichment analysis for five tissues of P. japonicus showed that although overall processes were evenly conserved across all tissues. However, each tissue was characterized by several unique unigenes with the leaves showing the most unique unigenes among the tissues studied. A comparative analysis of the P. japonicus transcriptome assembly with publically available transcripts from other Panax species, namely, P. ginseng, P. notoginseng, and P. quinquefolius also displayed high sequence similarity across all Panax species, with P. japonicus showing highest similarity with P. ginseng. Annotation of P. japonicus transcriptome resulted in the identification of putative genes encoding all enzymes from the triterpene backbone biosynthetic pathways, and identified 24 and 48 unigenes annotated as cytochrome P450 (CYP) and glycosyltransferases (GT), respectively. These CYPs and GTs annotated unigenes were conserved across all Panax species and co-expressed with other the transcripts involved in the triterpenoid backbone biosynthesis pathways. Unigenes identified in this study represent strong candidates for being involved in the triterpenoid saponins biosynthesis, and can serve as a basis for future validation studies.

A review on possible therapeutic targets to contain obesity: The role of phytochemicals

The prevalence and severity of obesity has increased markedly in recent decades making it a global public health concern. Since obesity is a potential risk factor in the development of hypertension, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, infertility, etc., it is no more viewed as a cosmetic issue. Currently, only a few FDA-approved anti-obesity drugs like Orlistat, Lorcaserin and Phentermine-topiramate are available in the market, but they have considerable side effects. On the other hand, bariatric surgery as an alternative is associated with high risk and expensive. In view of these there is a growing trend towards natural product-based drug intervention as one of the crucial strategies for management of obesity and related ailments. In Asian traditional medicine and Ayurvedic literature a good number of plant species have been used and quoted for possible lipid-lowering and anti-obesity effects; however, many of them have not been evaluated rigorously for a definite recommendation and also lack adequate scientific validation. This review explores and updates on various plant species, their used parts, bioactive components and focuses multiple targets/pathways to contain obesity which may pave the way to develop novel and effective drugs. We also summarised different drugs in use to treat obesity and their current status. Nature is future promise of our wellbeing.

Inhibitory effects of Chikusetsusaponin IVa on lipopolysaccharide-induced pro-inflammatory responses in THP-1 cells

This study investigated anti-inflammatory effects and possible mechanisms of Chikusetsusaponin IVa (Chi IVa), one of the main bioactive components in saponins from Panacis japonica (SPJ), which is used in traditional Tujia and Hmong Chinese medicine. To this end, changes in the inflammatory profiles of lipopolysacchride (LPS)-stimulated phrobol 12-myristate 13-acetate(PMA)-differented THP-1 macrophages were evaluated following Chi IVa treatment. The results showed that Chi IVa markedly decreased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) at both the mRNA and protein level, which proved to be dose-dependent. Further studies revealed that Chi IVa strongly suppressed NF-κB activation and downregulated the phosphorylation of ERK, p38, and JNK. Our present study demonstrates that Chi IVa suppresses the production of iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells likely by inhibiting NF-κB activation and ERK, JNK, and p38 signal pathway phosphorylation.

Effect of polycan, a β-glucan originating from Aureobasidium, on a high-fat diet-induced hyperlipemic hamster model

The aim of the present study was to analyze the effect of polycan, a β-glucan originating from Aureobasidium, on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipemia and hepatic damage. A total of 30 hamsters were divided into 6 groups based on their body weight following acclimatization: control, sham, simvastatin (SIMVA) and 3 Polycan groups. In the polycan groups, Polycan, at three concentrations (31.25, 62.5 and 125 mg/kg), was administered orally once a day for 56 days, in addition to the HFD. On the day of sacrifice, changes in the body weight, food consumption, liver weight and serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride and total cholesterol (T-CHOL) were observed, as well as changes to the liver and aorta (thoracic and abdominal) histopathology and histomorphometry. The results from the polycan groups were compared with a SIMVA 10 mg/kg oral treatment group, in addition to the sham and vehicle control groups. After the HFD-induced hyperlipidemic hamsters were administered Polycan, there was no significant change in their body weight and food consumption when compared with the hamsters in the vehicle control group. However, the serum levels of AST, ALT, triglyceride, T-CHOL and LDL were significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner when compared with the vehicle control group (P<0.05). Furthermore, the levels of liver steatosis and arteriosclerosis in the abdominal and thoracic aorta were significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01). In the SIMVA-treated group, body weight (P<0.05), the serum level of lipids (triglyceride, T-CHOL and LDL; P<0.01) and the level of arteriosclerosis (P<0.01) were significantly reduced when compared with the vehicle control group. However, liver weight and the serum levels of AST, ALT, and liver steatosis increased when compared with the vehicle control group. Based on these results, it was concluded that polycan exerts a favorable effect in decreasing HFD-induced hyperlipemia and associated atherosclerosis, with relatively good protective effects on liver damage.

Current trends and future prospects of lipstatin: a lipase inhibitor and pro-drug for obesity

A review of the implications and causes of obesity, the status of antiobesity drugs, the mechanism of inhibition of pancreatic lipases, the biosynthesis of lipstatin and the present status of lipstatin production.