The Protective Effects of Danggui-Baizhu-Tang on High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice by Activating Thermogenesis

Tetrahydroberberrubine exhibits preventive effect on obesity by activating PGC1α-mediated thermogenesis in white and brown adipose tissue

The escalating prevalence of obesity presents formidable challenges, necessitating the development of effective therapeutic strategies. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the preventive effects on obesity of tetrahydroberberrubine (THBru), a derivative of berberine (BBR) and to unravel its underlying mechanism. Using an obese mouse model induced by a high-fat diet (HFD), THBru was found to markedly ameliorate obesity, as evidenced by reduced body weight, decreased Lee's index, diminished fat mass in epididymal white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT), alongside improved dyslipidemia. Notably, at the same dose, THBru exhibited superior efficacy compared to BBR. RNA-sequencing and gene set enrichment analysis indicated THBru activated thermogenesis, which was further confirmed in WAT, BAT, and 3T3-L1 cells. Bioinformatics analysis of RNA-sequencing data revealed the candidate gene Pgc1α, a key regulator involved in thermogenesis. Moreover, THBru was demonstrated to elevate the expression of PGC1α by stabilizing its mRNA in WAT, BAT and 3T3-L1 cells. Furthermore, PGC1α knockdown blocked the pro-thermogenic and anti-obesity action of THBru both in vivo and in vitro. This study unravels the preventive effects of THBru on obesity through the activation of PGC1α-mediated thermogenesis, thereby delineating its potential therapeutic implications for obesity and associated disorders.

Short-term moderate caloric restriction in a high-fat diet alleviates obesity via AMPK/SIRT1 signaling in white adipocytes and liver

Background

Obesity is a growing problem for public health worldwide. Calorie restriction (CR) is a safety and effective life intervention to defend against obesity. Short-term moderate CR may be a more favorable strategy against this pathology. However, the mechanisms behind the effects of CR remain to be clarified. Increased energy expenditure in the liver and brown adipose tissue could potentially be manipulated to modulate and improve metabolism in obesity. Moreover, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent deacetylase sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) are well-characterized metabolic modulators. We aim to explore the anti-obesity effects of short-term moderate CR by improving energy metabolism via the SIRT1/AMPK pathway in white adipocytes and liver in a mouse model of obesity.

Methods

Male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into two groups receiving either a standard or a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks to induce obesity. The HFD-induced obese mice were further randomized into two groups: HFD group or CR group (received 75% of the food eaten by HFD group). Their energy metabolism, white adipose tissue (WAT) contents, hepatic fat deposition, the expression of AMPK, SIRT1, peroxisome proliferators γ-activated receptor coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in WAT, and hepatic tissues were determined.

Results

After 4 weeks, body weight, total serum cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and insulin levels were significantly lower in the CR group. Moreover, CR ameliorated hepatocyte steatosis, attenuated white adipogenesis, and increased energy expenditure and expressions of SIRT1, PGC-1α, and phosphorylated AMPK in subcutaneous WAT and the hepatic tissues. In addition, CR reduced the protein levels of NF-κB and increased the eNOS expression.

Conclusion

Short-term moderate CR decreases obesity, increases the thermogenesis, and inhibits inflammation in a mouse model of obesity, probably via the activation of the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway in WAT and liver.

In Vitro Anti-Obesity Effect of Shenheling Extract (SHLE) Fermented with Lactobacillus fermentum grx08

Obesity is a common global problem. There are many fat-reducing herbal prescriptions in traditional Chinese medicine that have been proven to be safe and functional during long-term application. Microbial fermentation can improve the efficacy of herbal medicine and improve the unsavory flavor. In this study, Shenheling extract (SHLE) composed of six medicine food homology materials was used as the research object. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Lactobacillusfermentum grx08 fermentation on the antiobesity efficacy and flavor of SHLE. We found that L. fermentum grx08 grew well in SHLE. After 72 h of fermentation, the total polysaccharides, total flavonoids, total polyphenols and total saponins of SHLE decreased, but the lipase inhibitory activity and total antioxidant capacity (FRAP) were significantly increased (p < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the α-glucosidase inhibition rate and DPPH· clearance rate before or after fermentation (p > 0.05). In addition, the fermentation reduces the unpleasant flavors of SHLE such as bitterness and grassy and cassia flavors. This study demonstrates that SHLE fermented by L. fermentum grx08 improved some anti-obesity functions and improved the unpleasant flavor.

A Review of the Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Application, Quality Control, Processing, Toxicology, and Pharmacokinetics of the Dried Rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala

The product investigated herein is the dried rhizome of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. [Asteraceae] (Baizhu), which is also known as Dongbaizhu, Wuzhu, Yuzhu, Zhezhu, and Zhongzhu, among others. It invigorates the spleen, replenishes qi, and removes dampness, diuresis, and hidroschesis, and impacts fetal safety. It is often used for the treatment of diseases such as spleen function deficiency, abdominal distension, diarrhea, sputum, vertigo, edema, fever, and sweating and also aids cessation of minimal vaginal bleeding during pregnancy. In this study, research pertaining to the ethnopharmacology, application, phytochemistry, analytical methods, quality control, processing, pharmacology, toxicology, and pharmacokinetics of Baizhu has been reviewed. Relevant information and data reported for Baizhu were collected from CNKI, VIP, PubMed, Web of Science, scientific databases, Chinese Medicinal Material Encyclopedia, Chinese herbal medicine classics, Chinese medicine dictionary, doctoral and master's theses, and so on. Baizhu demonstrates diuretic, antidiuretic, anti-inflammatory effects and antitumor function and aids regulation of gastrointestinal function, hypoglycemic effect, analgesic action, protection on the liver ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats, inhibition of aromatase, treatment of bone disease, strengthening myocardial contraction ability, detoxification and cholagogic effect, fall hematic fat action, such as the treatment of acute renal injury, and so on. It also can be an anticoagulant, improve the nervous system disease, affect the immune system, and regulate uterine smooth muscle, antioxidation, antiaging, and antibacterial effect. Sesquiterpenoids, triterpenoids, polyacetylenes, phenylpropanoids, coumarins, flavonoids, flavonoid glycosides, steroids, benzoquinones, polysaccharides, and other compounds were isolated from Baizhu. Among them, sesquiterpenoids, polysaccharides, and polyacetylenes are the main components of Baizhu. Baizhu exhibits a wide range of pharmacological effects and constitutes a considerable proportion of the composition of many proprietary crude drugs. It mainly affects the endocrine, nervous, and urinary systems. The presented information suggests that we should focus on the development of new drugs related to Baizhu, including specific components, to achieve a greater therapeutic potential that can be considered to further explore the information related to Baizhu.

Diet-induced obesity leads to alterations in behavior and gut microbiota composition in mice

The high prevalence of obesity and associated metabolic disorders are one of the major public health problems worldwide. Among the main causal factors of obesity, excessive consumption of food rich in sugar and fat stands out due to its high energy density. The regulation of food intake relies on hypothalamic control by the action of several neuropeptides. Excessive consumption of hypercaloric diets has impact in the behavior and in the gut microbiota. In the present study, we used a high-sugar and fat (HSB) diet for 12 weeks to induce obesity in C57BL/6 mice and to investigate its effects on the gut microbiota, hypothalamic peptides, and behavior. We hypothesize that chronic consumption of HSB diet can change the behavior. Additionally, we also hypothesize that changes in gut microbiota can be associated with changes in the transcriptional regulation of hypothalamic peptides and behavior. To evaluate the gut microbiota, we performed the sequencing of 16S rRNA gene, which demonstrate that HSB diet modulates the gut microbiota with an increase in the Firmicutes and Actinobacteria phylum and a decrease of Bacteroidetes phylum. The real time qPCR revealed that HSB-fed mice presented changes in the transcriptional regulation of hypothalamic neuropeptides genes such as Npy, Gal and Galr1. The Marble-burying and Light/dark box tests also showed an alteration in anxiety and impulsive behaviors for the HSB-fed mice. Our data provides evidence that obesity induced by HSB diet consumption is associated with alterations in gut microbiota and behavior, highlighting the multifactorial characteristics of this disease.

Protein Kinase D2 drives chylomicron-mediated lipid transport in the intestine and promotes obesity

Lipids are the most energy-dense components of the diet, and their overconsumption promotes obesity and diabetes. Dietary fat content has been linked to the lipid processing activity by the intestine and its overall capacity to absorb triglycerides (TG). However, the signaling cascades driving intestinal lipid absorption in response to elevated dietary fat are largely unknown. Here, we describe an unexpected role of the protein kinase D2 (PKD2) in lipid homeostasis. We demonstrate that PKD2 activity promotes chylomicron-mediated TG transfer in enterocytes. PKD2 increases chylomicron size to enhance the TG secretion on the basolateral side of the mouse and human enterocytes, which is associated with decreased abundance of APOA4. PKD2 activation in intestine also correlates positively with circulating TG in obese human patients. Importantly, deletion, inactivation, or inhibition of PKD2 ameliorates high-fat diet-induced obesity and diabetes and improves gut microbiota profile in mice. Taken together, our findings suggest that PKD2 represents a key signaling node promoting dietary fat absorption and may serve as an attractive target for the treatment of obesity.

Alisma orientalis Beverage Treats Atherosclerosis by Regulating Gut Microbiota in ApoE-/- Mice

Background

Alisma orientalis beverage (AOB) is a Chinese traditional medicine formulated with a diversity of medicinal plants and used for treating metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis (AS) since time ago. Given the current limited biological research on AOB, the mechanism by which AOB treats AS is unknown. This study investigats the role of AOB-induced gut microbiota regulation in the expansion of AS.

Methods

We established an AS model in male apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE^−/−) mice that are fed with a high-fat diet (HFD), treated with numerous interventions, and evaluated the inflammatory cytokines and serum biochemical indices. The root of the aorta was stained with oil red O, and the proportion of the lesion area was quantified. Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and trimethylamine (TMA) levels in serum were evaluated through liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. Flavin−containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3) liver protein expression was assessed by Western blotting. 16S rDNA sequencing technique was adopted to establish the changes in the microbiota structure.

Results

After 8 weeks of HFD feeding, an inflammatory cytokine, and AS development expression were significantly decreased in mice treated with AOB; the same parameters in the mice treated with the antibiotics cocktail did not change. In the gut microbiota study, mice treated with AOB had a markedly different gut microbiota than the HFD-fed mice. Additionally, AOB also decreased serum TMAO and hepatic FMO3 expression.

Conclusion

The antiatherosclerotic effects of AOB were found associated with changes in the content of gut microbiota and a reduction in TMAO, a gut microbiota metabolite, suggesting that AOB has potential therapeutic value in the treatment of AS.

The Antiobesity Effects of Buginawa in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes and in a Mouse Model of High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity

There has been a remarkable interest in finding lipid inhibitors from natural products to replace synthetic compounds, and a variety of oriental medicinal herbs are reported to have biological activity with regard to lipid inhibition. Buginawa (Bugi) is a novel combined formula that contains twelve medicinal herbs with potential for weight loss induction. We hypothesized that Bugi may have antiobesity effects in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and in a high-fat diet- (HFD-) induced mouse model. In this study, 3T3-L1 cells were treated with varied concentrations of Bugi (62.5, 125, or 250 μg/mL). Bugi treatment inhibited adipocyte differentiation by suppressing adipogenic transcription genes, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ protein (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBPβ). Mice were fed a normal diet or an HFD for 11 weeks, and Bugi was simultaneously administered at 50 or 100 mg/kg. Bugi administration significantly reduced body weight gain and white adipose tissue (WAT) weight and effectively inhibited lipid droplet accumulation in epididymal white adipose tissue (eWAT) and liver tissue. Further, Bugi treatment suppressed mRNA levels of PPARγ, C/EBPα, and SREBP1 in eWAT and liver tissue. Our findings demonstrate that Bugi could be an effective candidate for preventing obesity and related metabolic disorders.