The appetite regulatory effect of guggulsterones in rats: a repertoire of plasma hormones and neurotransmitters

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interaction of Rosuvastatin calcium with guggulipid extract in rats

Background & objectives

Rosuvastatin calcium (RC) is a potent and competitive synthetic inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase used for the treatment of dyslipidemia. Guggulipid obtained from Commiphora mukul is used in the treatment of a wide variety of diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, rheumatism, and obesity. The present study evaluates the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions between RC and the standardized guggulipid extract in rats.

Materials and methods

The guggulipid extract was standardized for the presence of guggulsterones. The pharmacokinetic interaction was determined after a single dose administration of RC alone or in combination with the guggulipid extract or after multiple-dose administration of RC alone or RC along with the guggulipid extract for 14 days. To determine the pharmacodynamic interaction, RC and guggulipid extract were administered to hyperlipidemic rats for 14 days. The level of significance was determined using unpaired student’s t-test, one way ANOVA, the post-ANOVA Tukey test.

Results

Standardization of guggulipid extract showed it contains 7.5%w/w of guggulsterones. Guggulipid extract increased the bioavailability of RC in both single-dose and multiple-dose studies. Guggulipid extract reduced the rate of absorption (Ka) of RC but showed an increase in maximum serum concentration (Cmax). An in-vitro study using isolated rat intestine revealed that guggulipid extract decreased the rate of absorption of RC in the intestinal lumen. The hypolipidemic activity of RC was augmented by the guggulipid extract in hyperlipidemic rats.

Interpretation & conclusion

Therefore it is concluded that guggulipid extract increases the bioavailability of RC by delaying its Ka and augments its hypolipidemic action. However, it is recommended that a combination of RC with guggulipid extract should be used only after an adverse effect(s) of this combination are determined.

Use of dietary phytochemicals for inhibition of trimethylamine N-oxide formation

Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) has been reported as a risk factor for atherosclerosis development, as well as for other cardiovascular disease (CVD) pathologies. The objective of this review is to provide a useful summary on the use of phytochemicals as TMAO-reducing agents. This review discusses the main mechanisms by which TMAO promotes CVD, including the modulation of lipid and bile acid metabolism, and the promotion of endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Current knowledge on the available strategies to reduce TMAO formation are discussed, highlighting the effect and potential of phytochemicals. Overall, phytochemicals (i.e., phenolic compounds or glucosinolates) reduce TMAO formation by modulating gut microbiota composition and/or function, inhibiting host's capacity to metabolize TMA to TMAO, or a combination of both. Perspectives for design of future studies involving phytochemicals as TMAO-reducing agents are discussed. Overall, the information provided by this review outlines the current state of the art of the role of phytochemicals as TMAO reducing agents, providing valuable insight to further advance in this field of study.

Commiphora myrrha Resin Alcoholic Extract Ameliorates High Fat Diet Induced Obesity via Regulation of UCP1 and Adiponectin Proteins Expression in Rats

This study was performed to evaluate anti-obesity potential of Commiphora myrrha resin ethanolic extract (CME) with the respect to expression of leptin, adiponectin and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in rats. Control rats fed basal diet. Second group fed basal diet and administered CME (500 mg/kg bw) orally for 14 weeks. Third group fed high fat diet (HFD) for 14 weeks. Fourth group fed HFD and administered CME as second group. Fifth group fed HFD for 8 weeks then fed basal diet and administered CME as third group for another 6 weeks. Phytochemical analysis of CME identified the presence of germacrene B, 1,4-benzoquinone, benzofuran, hexadecanoic acid, 9,12-octadecnoic acid methyl ester, reynosin, 11, 14-eicosadienoic acid, isochiapin B, bisabolene epixod, elemene and 1-heptatriacotanol. High fat diet significantly increased food intake, body weight, hyperglycemia, serum levels of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, low density lipoprotein and ketone bodies, AST and AST activities, concentration of malondialdehyde and histopathological changes in hepatic tissues. However, it significantly reduced serum levels of high density lipoprotein, leptin and adiponectin, activity of hepatic glutathione reductase (GR) and brown adipose tissue UCP1 protein expression. In contrast, CME ameliorated HFD increased body weight, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, ketonemia, hepatic tissues lipid peroxidation, restored hepatic tissue architecture and enhanced protein expression of leptin, adiponectin and UCP1 and activity of hepatic GR. This study indicated that CME ameliorated HFD induced hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia through normalization of HFD reduced leptin, adiponectin and UCP1 proteins production and antioxidant activity.

Guggulsterone Activates Adipocyte Beiging through Direct Effects on 3T3-L1 Adipocytes and Indirect Effects Mediated through RAW264.7 Macrophages

Background: Plant-derived phytochemicals have been of emerging interest as anti-obesity compounds due to their apparent effects on promoting reduced lipid accumulation in adipocytes. Despite such promising evidence, little is known about the potential mechanisms behind their anti-obesity effects. The aim of this study is to establish potential anti-obesity effects of the phytochemical guggulsterone (GS). Methods: Mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with GS, derived from the guggul plant native in northern India, to investigate its effects on mitochondrial biogenesis and adipocyte “beiging.” Further, to explore the relationship between macrophages and adipocytes, 3T3-L1s were treated with conditioned media from GS-treated RAW264.7 macrophages. Markers of mitochondrial biogenesis and beiging were measured by western blot. Results: GS treatment in adipocytes resulted in increased mitochondrial density, biogenesis (PGC1α and PPARγ), and increased markers of a beige adipocyte phenotype (UCP1, TBX1, and β-3AR). This upregulation in mitochondrial expression was accompanied by increases oxygen consumption. In GS-treated macrophages, markers of M2 polarization were elevated (e.g., arginase and IL-10), along with increased catecholamine release into the media. Lastly, 3T3-L1 adipocytes treated with conditioned media from macrophages induced a 167.8% increase in UCP1 expression, suggestive of a role of macrophages in eliciting an anti-adipogenic response to GS. Conclusions: Results from this study provide the first mechanistic understanding of the anti-obesity effects of GS and suggests a role for both direct GS-signaling and indirect stimulation of M2 macrophage polarization in this model.

Comparative Anti-hyperlipidaemic activity of Navīna (fresh) and Purāṇa (old) Guggulu

OBJECTIVE

Guggulu (Commiphora wightii [Arn.] Bhandari) is a well-known anti-hyperlipidaemic drug. Guggulsterones are active components of this drug which are responsible for this effect. The activity of Guggulu may depend upon its nature, fresh samples are recommended for their bṛhmaṇa (body mass increasing) effect; while lekhana (scarificant) effect is attributed to the old one. The comparative Anti-hyperlipidaemic activity of fresh and old samples has not been reported till date.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Freshly collected and one year old samples of Guggulu were processed in gomūtra. Patients who satisfied inclusion criteria of Hyperlipidaemia were randomly distributed into two groups and the drug was administrated in a dose of 1 g with luke warm water twice a day for eight weeks.

RESULTS

Significant improvement was found in the symptoms of Medoroga and Lipid profile with treatment in both the groups. Fresh sample of Guggulu proved to have a better effect in lowering serum cholesterol (5.76%), triglyceride (17.17%), and very low density lipoprotein VLDL (18.36%) levels while old sample of Guggulu provided mild effect in lowering serum triglyceride (13.64%), VLDL (11.07%) and non-significant increase in serum HDL-cholesterol (0.94%). Old sample of Guggulu also provided significant decreases in body weight (7.69%) and BMI (7.82%).

CONCLUSIONS

Old Guggulu showed better effect on body weight, BMI and cardinal symptoms along with significant lipid lowering effect whereas fresh Guggulu showed better result on lipid profile.