Fruit of Gardenia jasminoides Induces Mitochondrial Activation and Non-Shivering Thermogenesis through Regulation of PPARγ

Advanced quality assessment of Sanshishi (Gardenia jasminoides Ellis) and Kampo medicines using a monoclonal antibody against geniposide

Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, a plant widely used in traditional medicine, is known for its array of biological activities. A key bioactive compound, geniposide (GE), an iridoid glycoside, significantly contributes to the medicinal properties of the plant, with potential side effects. Thus, a reliable and efficient method for GE detection is required to ensure the quality of medicinal-grade G. jasminoides Ellis. This study developed such a method by first synthesizing GE-bovine serum albumin conjugates to function as immunizing agents in mice. This led to the production of a monoclonal antibody (mAb 3A6) against GE from the fusion of splenocytes from immunized mice with myeloma cells (P3U1), resulting in a hybridoma that produces mAb 3A6. Thereafter, we developed a mAb 3A6-based indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (icELISA). The icELISA exhibited satisfactory sensitivity (0.391-12.5 μg/ml) and repeatability (coefficients of variation <10%). The accuracy of this method was validated through a spike-recovery assay (recovery of 101-112%). Furthermore, the icELISA was employed to determine the GE content in plant and Kampo medicine samples. The GE content positively correlated with those determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet. The proposed icELISA is rapid, cost-effective, and reliable for high-throughput GE detection in G. jasminoides Ellis, thereby contributing to the improved quality control and standardization of this valuable medicinal plant.

Moderating AKT signaling with baicalein protects against weight loss by preventing muscle atrophy in a cachexia model caused by CT26 colon cancer

Cancer cachexia is a type of energy-wasting syndrome characterized by fatigue, anorexia, muscle weakness, fat loss, and systemic inflammation. Baicalein, a flavonoid with bioactive properties, has demonstrated the ability to mitigate cardiac and skeletal muscle atrophy in different experimental settings. This effect is achieved through the inhibition of muscle proteolysis, suggesting its potential in preserving skeletal muscle homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer cachexia effects of baicalein in the regulation of muscle and fat wasting, both in vivo and in vitro. Baicalein attenuated body weight loss, including skeletal muscle and white adipose tissue (WAT), in CT26-induced cachectic mice. Moreover, baicalein increased muscle fiber thickness and suppressed the muscle-specific ubiquitin-protease system, including F-box only protein 32 and muscle RING-finger protein-1, by activating AKT phosphorylation both in vivo and in vitro. The use of LY294002, a particular inhibitor of AKT, eliminated the observed impact of baicalein on the improvement of muscle atrophy. In conclusion, baicalein inhibits muscle proteolysis and enhances AKT phosphorylation, indicating its potential role in cancer cachexia-associated muscle atrophy.

Capsicum annuum var. abbreviatum Induces a Macrophage M2-Like Phenotype Mediated by Nrf2/HO-1 in LPS-Stimulated Macrophages

Capsicum annuum var. abbreviatum (CAAE), which is in the genus Capsicum L. (Solanaceae), was found to be richer in polyphenols and flavonoids than other prevalent peppers of Capsicum annuum var. angulosum and Capsicum annuum. L. Yet, it is still unclear how CAAE reduces inflammation. In this study, we used the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cell line and bone marrow-derived macrophages to assess its anti-inflammatory activities. Initially, we discovered that CAAE decreased the levels of nitric oxide and inducible nitric oxide synthase. In addition, CAAE decreased the intracellular reactive oxygen species levels and increased the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 and heme oxygenase-1 compared with the phenotype of M2 macrophages. CAAE inhibited the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including extracellular signal-regulated kinases, c-Jun N-terminal kinases, and p38 MAPKs. CAAE also inhibited the translocation of nuclear factor kappa B into nuclear, hence preventing the production of proinflammatory cytokines. Therefore, we suggest that CAAE might have potential as a candidate therapeutic agent for inflammatory diseases.

Antidiabetic Effect of Fermented Mesembryanthemum crystallinum L. in db/db Mice Involves Regulation of PI3K-Akt Pathway

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a serious health issue with increasing incidences worldwide. However, current medications have limitations due to side effects such as decreased appetite, stomach pain, diarrhea, and extreme tiredness. Here, we report the effect of fermented ice plant (FMC) in the T2M mouse model of db/db mice. FMC showed a greater inhibition of lipid accumulation compared to unfermented ice plant extract. Two-week oral administration with FMC inhibited body weight gain, lowered fasting blood glucose, and improved glucose tolerance. Serum parameters related to T2D including insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin, adiponectin, and cholesterols were improved as well. Histological analysis confirmed the protective effect of FMC on pancreas and liver destruction. FMC treatment significantly increased the expression and phosphorylation of IRS-1, PI3K, and AKT. Additionally, AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 were also increased in the liver tissues of db/db mice treated with FMC. Overall, our results indicate the anti-diabetic effect of FMC; therefore, we suggest that FMC may be useful as a therapeutic agent for T2D.

Anmyungambi Decoction Ameliorates Obesity through Activation of Non-Shivering Thermogenesis in Brown and White Adipose Tissues

Obesity is a burden to global health. Non-shivering thermogenesis of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and white adipose tissue (WAT) is a novel strategy for obesity treatment. Anmyungambi (AMGB) decoction is a multi-herb decoction with clinical anti-obesity effects. Here, we show the effects of AMGB decoction using high-fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL6/J mice. All four versions of AMGB decoction (100 mg/kg/day, oral gavage for 28 days) suppressed body weight gain and obesity-related blood parameters in the HFD-fed obese mice. They also inhibited adipogenesis and induced lipolysis in inguinal WAT (iWAT). Especially, the AMGB-4 with 2:1:3:3 composition was the most effective; thus, further studies were performed with the AMGB-4 decoction. The AMGB-4 decoction displayed a dose-dependent body weight gain suppression. Serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, and blood glucose decreased as well. In epididymal WAT, iWAT, and BAT, the AMGB-4 decoction increased lipolysis markers. Additionally, the AMGB-4 decoction-fed mice showed an increased non-shivering thermogenic program in BAT and iWAT. Excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) and suppressed antioxidative factors induced by the HFD feeding were also altered to normal levels by the AMGB-4 decoction treatment. Overall, our study supports the clinical use of AMGB decoction for obesity treatment by studying its mechanisms. AMGB decoction alleviates obesity through the activation of the lipolysis-thermogenesis program and the elimination of pathological ROS in thermogenic adipose tissues.

Comprehensive traditional East Asian medicine treatment strategy for obesity considering the therapeutic effects and adverse events: A protocol for systematic review and network meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Obesity has become a serious global health problem due to its increasing prevalence. Because of several limitations or adverse events associated with conventional western medicine therapies, there has been an increase in demand for alternative therapies such as traditional East Asian medicine (TEAM). This study aims to provide comprehensive evidence-based information assessing the clinical efficacy and safety of TEAM treatment for obesity as the basis for reliable clinical strategies for patients with obesity.

METHODS

Electronic searches of the PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, OASIS, and Korea Citation Index will be performed. Methodological quality will be assessed using the "risk of bias" tool. The primary outcome for efficacy will be weight loss. The secondary outcomes will be response rate, body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure. We will also evaluate the rates of adverse events and mortality for safety assessment. First, we will conduct a conventional pairwise meta-analysis. Next, we will conduct network meta-analysis using the frequentist approach. We shall verify the assumption of network meta-analysis and provide network geometry, P-score, net league table, and intervention-based forest plot. A subgroup analysis will be conducted to ascertain the factors that affect treatment, such as dosage, treatment duration, and severity of obesity.

RESULTS

The results of this study will provide high-quality systematic reviews that can assist decision making in obesity management. Our network meta-analysis results can provide direct and indirect comparison evidence on comparative efficacy and safety.

CONCLUSION

This study will provide fundamental data for prospective research on the application of TEAM in patients with obesity.

PROTOCOL REGISTRY NUMBER OF ONLINE REGISTRY

This study protocol was registered in open Science framework (OSF) (Registration DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/ETWDS).

URL OF THE ONLINE REGISTRY

https://osf.io/etwds.