Chrysanthemum morifolium Flower Extract Inhibits Adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 Cells via AMPK/SIRT1 Pathway Activation

SIRT1/SREBPs-mediated regulation of lipid metabolism

Sirtuins, also called silent information regulator 2, are enzymes that rely on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) to function as histone deacetylases. Further investigation is warranted to explore the advantageous impacts of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), a constituent of the sirtuin group, on lipid metabolism, in addition to its well-researched involvement in extending lifespan. The regulation of gene expression has been extensively linked to SIRT1. Sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) is a substrate of SIRT1 that has attracted significant interest due to its role in multiple cellular processes including cell cycle regulation, DNA damage repair, and metabolic functions. Hence, the objective of this analysis was to investigate and elucidate the correlation between SIRT1 and SREBPs, as well as assess the contribution of SIRT1/SREBPs in mitigating lipid metabolism dysfunction. The objective of this research was to investigate whether SIRT1 and SREBPs could be utilized as viable targets for therapeutic intervention in managing complications associated with diabetes.

Phytochemicals, therapeutic benefits and applications of chrysanthemum flower: A review

Chrysanthemum is a flowering plant belonging to a genus of the dicotyledonous herbaceous annual flowering plant of the Asteraceae (Compositae) family. It is a perpetual flowering plant, mostly cultivated for medicinal purposes; generally, used in popular drinks due to its aroma and flavor. It is primarily cultivated in China, Japan, Europe, and United States. These flowers were extensively used in various healthcare systems and for treating various diseases. Chrysanthemum flowers are rich in phenolic compounds and exhibit strong properties including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-allergic, anti-obesity, immune regulation, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective activities. The main aim of the present review was to investigate the nutritional profile, phytochemistry, and biological activities of flowers of different Chrysanthemum species. Also, a critical discussion of the diverse metabolites or bioactive constituents of the Chrysanthemum flowers is highlighted in the present review. Moreover, the flower extracts of Chrysanthemum have been assessed to possess a rich phytochemical profile, including compounds such as cyanidin-3-O-(6″-O-malonyl) glucoside, delphinidin 3-O-(6" -O-malonyl) glucoside-3', rutin, quercetin, isorhamnetin, rutinoside, and others. These profiles exhibit potential health benefits, leading to their utilization in the production of supplementary food products and pharmaceutical drugs within the industry. However, more comprehensive research studies/investigations are still needed to further discover the potential benefits for human and animal utilization.

The effects and underlying mechanisms of medicine and food homologous flowers on the prevention and treatment of related diseases

The theory of medicine and food homology has a long history in China. Numerous traditional Chinese medicinal could be used as both medicine and food. Many flower medicinal materials also belong to the homology of medicine and food, such as Chrysanthemum morifolium, Lonicera japonica, Crocus sativus, and Lonicera macranthoides. They mainly contain flavonoids, organic acids, terpenoids, and other active ingredients, which have a variety of medicinal values, including anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and antioxidant. There are many formulations and functional foods containing these plants in Chinese medicine, which have a variety of nutritional and health effects on the human body. In this review, 10 widely used flowers were selected to review their pharmacological activities, prevention and treatment of related diseases and underlying mechanisms, and discussed the current limitations and future development prospects, hoping to provide references for the research on the development and utilization of natural medical flowers. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: The "homology of medicine and food" flowers have a wide range of uses and are of great research value. In this paper, we introduce 10 "homology of medicine and food" flowers. Their active ingredients, pharmacological activities, and treatments for related diseases are reviewed, and the limitations and development prospects of the "homology of medicine and food" flowers are discussed. It is hoped that this will contribute to the development of the food and pharmacological fields.

The hypolipidemic mechanism of chrysanthemum flavonoids and its main components, luteolin and luteoloside, based on the gene expression profile

In this study, the following four groups of mice with hyperlipidemia were involved: the model control group (MC), the Chrysanthemum flavonoids group (CF), the luteolin group, and the luteoloside group. The whole gene expression profile was detected in the liver tissues of each group. Differential genes significantly enriched in the biological process of gene ontology (GO) items and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) were selected, and 4 differential genes related to lipid metabolism were selected for further real-time quantitative PCR verification. Compared with the MC, 41 differential genes such as Sqle, Gck, and Idi1 were screened in the CF intervention group; 68 differential genes such as Acsl3, Cyp7a1, and Lpin1 were screened in the luteolin intervention group (CF); and 51 differential genes such as Acaca, Cyp7a1, and Lpin1 were screened in the luteoloside group. The mechanism of CF to improve hyperlipidemia is very complex, mainly involving biological processes such as cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism and glycolysis, luteolin mainly involves the synthesis and transport of cholesterol, and luteoloside mainly involves fatty acid metabolism. The functional pathways of CF may not be completely the same as luteolin and luteoloside, and further study is needed on the mechanism of action of other components.

Stard 3 (Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory-Related Lipid Transfer Domain-Containing Protein 3) Play Important Role in Preadipocyte Differentiation

Aim: To evaluate Stard 3’s effects and relative mechanisms in preadipocyto differentiation by vitro study. Materials and Methods: The 3T3-L1 cell were divided into 5 groups as NC, si-Stard 3, ROS agonist, ROS inhibitor and si-Stard 3+ROS agonist groups. The cell of different groups were evaluated by Oil red O staining and Triglyceride. Evaluating ROS production by DHE and NBT assay. Using RT-qPCR and WB methods to evaluate gene and protein expressions. Results: Compared with NC group, Triglyceride, DHE fluorescence intensity and NBT positive rate were significantly down-regulation in si-Stard 3 and ROS inhibitor groups (P < 0.001, respectively), and were significantly up-regulation in ROS agonist group (P < 0.001, respectively); However, with si-Stard 3 transfection and ROS agonist treatment, compared with si-Stard 3 group, Triglyceride, DHE fluorescence intensity and NBT positive rate were significantly increased in si-Stard 3+ROS agonist group (P < 0.001, respectively). With RT-qPCR and WB assay, Compared with NC group, Stard 3 gene and protein expressions of si-Stard 3 and si-Stard 3+ROS agonist group were significantly depressed (P < 0.001, respectively), AMPK, PPARγ, CEBPα and FABP4 gene expressions were significantly differences in si-Stard 3, ROS agonist and ROS inhibitor groups (P < 0.001, respectively) and p-AMPK, PPARγ, CEBPα and FABP4 protein expressions were significantly differences in si-Stard 3, ROS agonist and ROS inhibitor groups (P < 0.001, respectively), with si-Stard 3 transfection and ROS agonist the relative gene and protein expressions were significantly resumed compared with si-Stard 3 group (P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Stard 3 knockdown had effects to suppress 3T3-L1 cells transformation into adipocytes in vitro study.

Protective Properties of the Extract of Chrysanthemum on Patients with Ischemic Stroke

Investigation of the protective effect of chrysanthemum extract in ischemic strokes patients is among the challenging issues with the traditional hospital system in general and smart technology-based hospitals in particular. In this study, we have evaluated the protective effect of chrysanthemum extract on patients with ischemic stroke by detecting the severity of stroke, neuronal indexes, and oxidative stress biomarkers. For this purpose, forty-six patients with ischemic stroke were randomly divided into the control group (n = 30) and chrysanthemum group (n = 30). The control group received standard stroke treatment, and the chrysanthemum group was treated with chrysanthemum extract 400 mg/day (200 mg/day, twice/day) on the basis of standard treatment. The groups were compared the effect of saffron capsules using the National Institute of Health Stoke Scale (NIHSS), serum neuron specific enolase (NSE), S100, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), malondialdehyde (MDA), Su-peroxide dismutase (SOD), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC ) levels, at the time of first day and fourth day after treatment. On the first day after treatment, there was no significant difference in the NIHSS score, serum NSE, S100, BDNF, MDA, SOD, and TAC levels between the chrysanthemum group and the control group (P > 0.05). On the fourth day after treatment, the NIHSS, serum NSE, S100, and MDA levels were significantly reduced in the chrysanthemum group compared to the control group, while the BDNF, SOD, and TAC levels were higher (P < 0.05). In addition, compared to the levels on the first day, the NIHSS, serum NSE, S100, and MDA levels were significantly reduced, and the BDNF, SOD, and TAC levels were increased in the chrysanthemum group on the fourth day (P < 0.05). Chrysanthemum extract has the effects of scavenging oxygen free radicals and antioxidation and has a neuroprotective effect on ischemic stroke patients.

Curcumin represses lipid accumulation through inhibiting ERK1/2-PPAR-γ signaling pathway and triggering apoptosis in porcine subcutaneous preadipocytes

Objective

Excessive lipid accumulation in adipocytes results in prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome. Curcumin (CUR), a naturally phenolic active ingredient, has been shown to have lipid-lowering effects. However, its underlying mechanisms have remained largely unknown. Therefore, the study aims to determine the effect of CUR on cellular lipid accumulation in porcine subcutaneous preadipocytes (PSPA) and to clarify novel mechanisms.

Methods

The PSPA were cultured and treated with or without CUR. Both cell counting Kit-8 and lactate dehydrogenase release assays were used to examine cytotoxicity. Intracellular lipid contents were measured by oil-red-o staining extraction and triglyceride quantification. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-nick end labelling assay. Adipogenic and apoptosis genes were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.

Results

The CUR dose-dependently reduced the proliferation and lipid accumulation of PSPA. Noncytotoxic doses of CUR (10 to 20 μM) significantly inhibited extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation and expression of adipogenic genes peroxisome proliferation-activity receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c, adipocyte protein-2, glucose transporter-4 as well as key lipogenic enzymes fatty acid synthase and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, while ERK1/2 activation significantly reversed CUR-reduced lipid accumulation by increasing PPAR-γ. Furthermore, compared with differentiation induced media treated cells, higher dose of CUR (30 μM) significantly decreased the expression of AKT and B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2), while increased the expression of BCL-2-associated X (BAX) and the BAX/BCL-2 expression ratio, suggesting triggered apoptosis by inactivating AKT and increasing BAX/BCL-2 ratio and Caspase-3 expression. Moreover, AKT activation significantly rescued CUR inhibiting lipid accumulation via repressing apoptosis.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that CUR is capable of suppressing differentiation by inhibiting ERK1/2-PPAR-γ signaling pathway and triggering apoptosis via decreasing AKT and subsequently increasing BAX/BCL-2 ratio and Caspase-3, suggesting that CUR provides an important method for the reduction of porcine body fat, as well as the prevention and treatment of human obesity.

Chrysanthemum morifolium Flower Extract Ameliorates Obesity-Induced Inflammation and Increases the Muscle Mitochondria Content and AMPK/SIRT1 Activities in Obese Rats

Decreased energy expenditure and chronically positive energy balance contribute to the prevalence of obesity and associated metabolic dysfunctions, such as dyslipidemia, hepatic fat accumulation, inflammation, and muscle mitochondrial defects. We investigated the effects of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat flower extract (CE) on obesity-induced inflammation and muscle mitochondria changes. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups and fed either a normal diet, 45% high-fat diet (HF), HF containing 0.2% CE, or 0.4% CE for 13 weeks. CE alleviated HF-increased adipose tissue mass and size, dyslipidemia, hepatic fat deposition, and systematic inflammation, and increased energy expenditure. CE significantly decreased gene expression involved in adipogenesis, pro-inflammation, and the M1 macrophage phenotype, as well as glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) activities in epididymal adipose tissue. Moreover, CE supplementation improved hepatic fat accumulation and modulated gene expression related to fat synthesis and oxidation with an increase in adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity in the liver. Furthermore, CE increased muscle mitochondrial size, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content, and gene expression related to mitochondrial biogenesis and function, including sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), and PGC-1α-target genes, along with AMPK-SIRT1 activities in the skeletal muscle. These results suggest that CE attenuates obesity-associated inflammation by modulating the muscle AMPK-SIRT1 pathway.

Hypolipidemic Effects and Preliminary Mechanism of Chrysanthemum Flavonoids, Its Main Components Luteolin and Luteoloside in Hyperlipidemia Rats

This study aimed to investigate the key constituents and preliminary mechanism for the hypolipidemic activity of chrysanthemum flavonoids. Hyperlipidemia (HPL) rats were divided into five groups: the model control group (MC); Chrysanthemum flavone intervention group (CF); luteolin intervention group; luteoloside intervention group and simvastatin intervention group. The body weight, organ coefficient, serum lipids, antioxidant activity, and lipid metabolism enzymes were detected. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was used to observe the liver and adipose tissue. Chrysanthemum flavonoids, luteolin, and luteoloside can reduce the weight and levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), and LDL-C, and increase the level of HDL-C in the blood and reduce liver steatosis. Indicators of liver function (AST, ALT, and ALP) improved. The antioxidant activity (GSH-Px, CAT, SOD) and enzymes associated with lipid catabolism (FAβO, CYP7A1, and HL) increased, while lipid peroxidation products (MDA) and enzymes associated with lipid synthesis (FAS, HMG-CoA, and DGAT) decreased. Chrysanthemum flavonoids had a better effect on the antioxidant level and lipid metabolism-related enzyme activity. There was no significant difference in the effects of the chrysanthemum flavonoids, luteolin, and Luteoloside on improving blood lipids and hepatic steatosis—mechanisms that may be related to antioxidant levels and regulating enzymes involved in the metabolism of fatty acids, cholesterol, and triglycerides in the liver. However, chrysanthemum flavonoids had a stronger antioxidant and lipid metabolism regulation ability, and the long-term effects may be better.

Therapeutic Properties of Edible Mushrooms and Herbal Teas in Gut Microbiota Modulation

Edible mushrooms are functional foods and valuable but less exploited sources of biologically active compounds. Herbal teas are a range of products widely used due to the therapeutic properties that have been demonstrated by traditional medicine and a supplement in conventional therapies. Their interaction with the human microbiota is an aspect that must be researched, the therapeutic properties depending on the interaction with the microbiota and the consequent fermentative activity. Modulation processes result from the activity of, for example, phenolic acids, which are a major component and which have already demonstrated activity in combating oxidative stress. The aim of this mini-review is to highlight the essential aspects of modulating the microbiota using edible mushrooms and herbal teas. Although the phenolic pattern is different for edible mushrooms and herbal teas, certain non-phenolic compounds (polysaccharides and/or caffeine) are important in alleviating chronic diseases. These specific functional compounds have modulatory properties against oxidative stress, demonstrating health-beneficial effects in vitro and/or In vivo. Moreover, recent advances in improving human health via gut microbiota are presented. Plant-derived miRNAs from mushrooms and herbal teas were highlighted as a potential strategy for new therapeutic effects.