Combination of β-glucan and Morus alba L. Leaf Extract Promotes Metabolic Benefits in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet

Morus alba: a comprehensive phytochemical and pharmacological review

Morus alba is a fast-growing shrub or medium-sized tree with a straight, cylindrical trunk. Medicinally, whole plants, leaves, fruits, branches, and roots have been employed. Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were used to search for relevant material on the phytochemical components and pharmacologic and mechanism of action of the Morus alba. This was reviewed to assess important updates about Morus alba. The fruits of Morus alba have traditionally been used as an analgesic, anthelmintic, antibacterial, anti-rheumatic, diuretic, hypotensive, hypoglycemia, purgative, restorative, sedative tonic, and blood stimulant. Various plant parts were used as a cooling, sedating, diuretic, tonic, and astringent agent to treat nerve disorders. The plant contained tannins, steroids, phytosterols, sitosterol, glycosides, alkaloids, carbohydrates, proteins, and amino acids, as well as saponins, triterpenes, phenolics, flavonoids, benzofuran derivatives, anthocyanins, anthraquinones, glycosides, vitamins, and minerals. Previous pharmacological research identified antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunological, analgesic, antipyretic, antioxidant, anti-cancer, antidiabetic, gastrointestinal, respiratory, cardiovascular, hypolipidemic, anti-obesity, dermatological, neurological, muscular, and protecting effects. This study looked at Morus alba's traditional uses, chemical components, and pharmacological effects.

Whole grain benefit: synergistic effect of oat phenolic compounds and β-glucan on hyperlipidemia via gut microbiota in high-fat-diet mice

Increasing evidence has confirmed that whole grain oats are effective in regulating hyperlipidemia. However, which specific ingredient is crucial remains unclear. This study focused on which whole grain components, oat phenolic compounds (OPC) or oat β-glucan (OBG), can regulate lipid metabolism and gut microbiota. The experiment unveiled that OPC and/or OBG not only reduced the body weight and fasting blood glucose (FBG) but also regulated serum and hepatic lipid levels in high-fat-diet (HFD) fed mice. There was no significant difference in the regulatory effects of OPC and OBG (p > 0.05). The combination of OPC and OBG (OPC + OBG) significantly decreased the body weight (p < 0.01) and reduced the blood glucose (p < 0.01) and lipid profile levels (p < 0.01). The real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) study revealed that OPC + OBG significantly altered mRNA expression related to lipid metabolism. Histopathological analysis showed that OPC + OBG improved liver lipid deposition as well as liver oxidative stress (p < 0.05). In addition, OPC + OBG combination regulated the gut microbiota community phenotype and increased probiotics. OPC + OBG significantly increased the abundance of Bacteroidetes and reduced the abundance of Firmicutes (p < 0.05) compared with the OPC and OBG fed mice. In conclusion, OPC + OBG has a synergistic effect in alleviating hyperlipidemia via lipid metabolism and gut microbiota composition. This finding also provided a potential justification for the advantages of whole grains in preventing hyperlipidemia.

The anti-obesity effect of mulberry leaf (Mori Folium) extracts was increased by bioconversion with Pectinex

Mulberry leaf (Mori Folium) extract (MLE) is known to have anti-obesity effects. In this study, the enhanced effects of MLE after bioconversion treatment using Pectinex (BMLE) on obesity were explored, and the underlying mechanisms were investigated using the active components, neochlorogenic acid (5-CQA) and cryptochlorogenic acid (4-CQA), whose amounts were increased by bioconversion of MLE. Both MLE and BMLE inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes without cytotoxicity and suppressed the expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα). In addition, MLE and BMLE decreased high-fat diet-induced adipose tissue mass expansion. Notably, BMLE significantly increased antiadipogenic and anti-obesity effects compared to MLE in vitro and in vivo. The active ingredients increased by bioconversion, 5-CQA and 4-CQA, inhibited the protein levels of C/EBPα and the mRNA levels of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1 (Scd1). These findings provide new insights into the therapeutic possibility of using bioconversion of MLE, by which upregulation of 5-CQA and 4-CQA potently inhibits adipogenesis.

Hydroxytyrosol improves strenuous exercise-associated cardiac pathological changes via modulation of mitochondrial homeostasis

Strenuous exercise is reported to provoke deleterious consequences including cardiac impairments, while the detailed mechanisms and effective interventions remain limited. The current study aims to explore the profitable effects of hydroxytyrosol (HT), one of the most abundant polyphenols derived from olive oil, on strenuous exercise-induced pathological changes in the heart and its underlying mechanisms. Sprague-Dawley male rats at the age of 8-week-old were supplemented with 25 mg kg^-1 day^-1 of HT 45 min before the beginning of strenuous exercise for a total of 8 weeks. HT treatment obviously improved the heart weight and morphology with lowered serum cardiac hypertrophy markers as well as cardiac oxidative stress. Moreover, the down-regulated mitochondrial biogenesis pathway, impaired mitochondrial complex activity, dysregulated expression of mitochondrial dynamics-related proteins and activated apoptotic pathway induced by Exe were all improved by HT. In vitro, 10 μM HT effectively reduced the reactive oxygen species level, promoted mitochondrial biogenesis, and inhibited apoptosis and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy in an angiotensin II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model. In addition, knockdown of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha, the key regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis, partially abolished the benefits of HT. Our results demonstrate that the disturbance of mitochondrial homeostasis plays a substantial role in strenuous exercise-induced pathological cardiac hypertrophy, and HT presents as an effective intervention strategy targeting mitochondrial homeostasis for cardiac health.

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf polysaccharide ameliorates insulin resistance- and adipose deposition-associated gut microbiota and lipid metabolites in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Dietary supplements are currently being used to ameliorate metabolic alterations via maintaining gut microflora balance. Mulberry leaf is known as medicine homologous food for its glucose- and lipid-modulating properties. However, the effects of mulberry leaf polysaccharide (MP) on metabolic dysbiosis and gut microbiota are still poorly understood. After extraction and characterization, the beneficial effects of water-soluble MP were evaluated in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. MP treatment could reduce adipose tissue, improve insulin resistance, and alleviate the pathological lesions in colon. Investigation of the underlying mechanism showed that MP modulated gut microbial community by 16S rRNA analysis and reversed the elevation of lipid indexes by plasma lipidomics analysis. Correlation analysis indicated that the abundance of seven key bacterial species and six lipids were closely associated with the metabolic traits, respectively. Overall, MP could ameliorate metabolic disorders, and modify the gut microbiota and lipids. This would greatly facilitate the utilization of MP as a functional food.

The Hypolipidemic Effect of Dalbergia odorifera T. C. Chen Leaf Extract on Hyperlipidemic Rats and Its Mechanism Investigation Based on Network Pharmacology

Objective

The aim of this study was to explore the hypolipidemic effect and mechanism of Dalbergia odorifera T. C. Chen leaf extract.

Methods

The hypolipidemic effect of D. odorifera leaf extract was investigated using a hyperlipidemic rat model. Then, its mechanism was predicted using network pharmacology methods and verified using western blotting.

Results

Compared with the levels in the model group, the serum levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) decreased significantly, whereas the serum level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased dramatically after treatment with the extract. The degrees of hepatocyte steatosis and inflammatory infiltration were markedly attenuated in vivo. Then, its hyperlipidemic mechanism was predicted using network pharmacology-based analysis. Thirty-five key targets, including sterol regulatory element-binding protein cleavage-activating protein (SCAP), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-2 (SREBP-2), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), and ten signaling pathways, were associated with hyperlipidemia. Finally, it was verified that the extract downregulated the protein levels of SCAP, SREBP-2, and HMGCR, and upregulated protein levels of LDLR.

Conclusion

These findings provided additional evidence of the hypolipidemic effect of D. odorifera leaf extract.

β-glucan, "the knight of health sector": critical insights on physiochemical heterogeneities, action mechanisms and health implications

β-glucans, the class of biological response modifier has unceasing attention, not only for its immune stimulating but also for its role as prebiotics, modulator of physiological events etc. and is widely used in the treatment of cancer, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, cardiovascular diseases etc. However, β-glucan with different physiochemical properties is found to have discrete clinical functions and thus careful selection of the types of β-glucan plays pivotal role in providing significant and expected clinical outcome. Herein this review, we presented the factors responsible for diverse functional properties of β-glucan, their distinct mode of actions in regulating human health etc. Further, clinical aspects of different β-glucans toward the management of wound care, metabolic dysbiosis, fatty liver disorders and endurance training associated energy metabolism were compiled and exhibited in detail.

The Ameliorative Effects of Fucoidan in Thioacetaide-Induced Liver Injury in Mice

Liver disorders have been recognized as one major health concern. Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide extracted from the brown seaweed Fucus serratus, has previously been reported as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. However, the discovery and validation of its hepatoprotective properties and elucidation of its mechanisms of action are still unknown. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effect and possible modes of action of a treatment of fucoidan against thioacetamide (TAA)-induced liver injury in male C57BL/6 mice by serum biochemical and histological analyses. The mouse model for liver damage was developed by the administration of TAA thrice a week for six weeks. The mice with TAA-induced liver injury were orally administered fucoidan once a day for 42 days. The treated mice showed significantly higher body weights; food intakes; hepatic antioxidative enzymes (catalase, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD)); and a lower serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Additionally, a reduced hepatic IL-6 level and a decreased expression of inflammatory-related genes, such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA was observed. These results demonstrated that fucoidan had a hepatoprotective effect on liver injury through the suppression of the inflammatory responses and acting as an antioxidant. In addition, here, we validated the use of fucoidan against liver disorders with supporting molecular data.

Supplementation with beta-1,3-glucan improves productivity, immunity and antioxidative status in transition Holstein cows

Dairy cows undergo dramatic physiological changes during the transition from late pregnancy to early lactation, which make them vulnerable to metabolic stress and immune dysfunction. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a commercial beta-1,3-glucan product (Aleta™, containing 50% beta-1,3-glucan) on productivity, immunity and antioxidative status in transition cows. Fifty-four multiparous Holstein cows received a control diet or a diet supplemented with 5 or 10 g of beta-1,3-glucan per cow per day from 21 days before expected calving to 21 days after parturition. Blood samples were collected at day -21, 1, and 21 relative to calving. Colostrum and milk were collected at day 1 and 21 after calving, respectively. Data showed that supplementation with beta-1,3-glucan had no effect on milk composition, but increased milk production. Beta-1,3-glucan treatment also improved the milk quality, as shown by reduced milk somatic cell count and increased immunoglobulin levels in colostrum. Notably, beta-1,3-glucan markedly reduced serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and C-reactive protein, while elevated serum immunoglobulin levels, indicating its immunity enhancement in transition cows. Moreover, beta-1,3-glucan addition reduced the serum malondialdehyde level and enhanced the activities of serum superoxide dismutase and catalase, which enhanced the antioxidative capacity in transition cows. In summary, supplementation with beta-1,3-glucan improves productivity, immunity and antioxidative status in transition dairy cows.

Isolation and purification of acidic polysaccharides from Agaricus blazei Murill and evaluation of their lipid-lowering mechanism

Polysaccharides are important active constituents of Agaricus blazei Morrill. In the present study, WABM-A was isolated from WABM using DEAE-cellulose, and subsequently purified using sepharose CL-6B to obtain the acidic polysaccharide WABM-A-b. WABM-A-b is mainly composed of Glc dextran, with a molecular weight of 10 KDa and β-1,6-D-Glcp as its main chain. The results of in vivo experiments show that in comparison with the MG, WABM-A significantly reduced the serum levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C, increased the serum levels of HDL-C (P < 0.01), and upregulated the liver expression of PPARγ, LXRα, ABCA1, and ABCG1 in rats with hyperlipidemia (P < 0.05). The results of in vitro experiments show that in comparison with the MG group, WABM-A-b-H significantly reduced the levels of TC and TG in HepG2 cells induced by oleic acid (P < 0.01), and significantly upregulated the protein expression of PPARγ, LXRα, ABCA1, and ABCG1 (P < 0.05). The present study demonstrates that WABM-A-b is an acidic glucan with lipid-lowering activity. The lipid-lowering mechanism of WABM-A-b is via the activation of the PPARγ/LXRα/ABCA1/ABCG1 cholesterol metabolism pathway. This is the first time that the hypolipidemic effect of Agaricus blazei Morrill acidic polysaccharides has been reported.

Dietary supplementation of Morus nigra L. leaves decrease fat mass partially through elevating leptin-stimulated lipolysis in pig model

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Mulberry leaves are the dry leaves of Morus nigra L. trees, which are widely cultivated in central and southern China. Mulberry has a long history of medicinal use, such as anti-stress, lowering blood glucose and anti-obesity.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Explore the effects of mulberry leaves on fat deposition as well as the underlying mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Total of 48 fattening pigs weighing about 70 kg were randomly allotted to normal diet or die supplemented with 5% (w/w) mulberry leave powder. Changes of fat mass, indicated by backfat thickness was measured with Piggyback tester, blood triglyceride and cholesterol were tested using commercial biochemical kits, serum hormones were estimated by ELISA, and leptin-related signaling activity were assessed using western-blot.

RESULTS

Supplementation with Mulberry leaf feed (MF) significantly reduced serum triglyceride and free cholesterol concentrations and increased the ratio of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), while serum glucose and free fatty acids remained unchanged. Dietary MF resulted in a significant reduction in the size of adipocytes and backfat thickness (P < 0.05). Accordingly, hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in backfat was significantly up-regulated and fatty acid synthase (FAS) was down-regulated by MF supplementation (both P < 0.05). Furthermore, MF supplementation significantly elevated circulating leptin and adiponectin without influencing serum insulin and glucocorticoid. Moreover, significantly higher leptin receptor (Leptin-R) and phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) were detected in MF-supplemented pigs, suggesting an enhanced leptin signaling induced by MF in the subcutaneous fat.

CONCLUSIONS

Mulberry leaves have obvious anti-obesity effects, providing a theoretical basis for the development of mulberry leaves as a drug against obesity.

Herba Houttuyniae Extract Benefits Hyperlipidemic Mice via Activation of the AMPK/PGC-1α/Nrf2 Cascade

Hyperlipidemia is associated with metabolic disorders, but the detailed mechanisms and related interventions remain largely unclear. As a functional food in Asian diets, Herba houttuyniae has been reported to have beneficial effects on health. The present research was to investigate the protective effects of Herba houttuyniae aqueous extract (HAE) on hyperlipidemia-induced liver and heart impairments and its potential mechanisms. Male C57BL/6J mice were administered with 200 or 400 mg/kg/day HAE for 9 days, followed by intraperitoneal injection with 0.5 g/kg poloxamer 407 to induce acute hyperlipidemia. HAE treatment significantly attenuated excessive serum lipids and tissue damage markers, prevented hepatic lipid deposition, improved cardiac remodeling, and ameliorated hepatic and cardiac oxidative stress induced by hyperlipidemia. More importantly, NF-E2 related factor (Nrf2)-mediated antioxidant and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α)-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis pathways as well as mitochondrial complex activities were downregulated in the hyperlipidemic mouse livers and hearts, which may be attributable to the loss of adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity: all of these changes were reversed by HAE supplementation. Our findings link the AMPK/PGC-1α/Nrf2 cascade to hyperlipidemia-induced liver and heart impairments and demonstrate the protective effect of HAE as an AMPK activator in the prevention of hyperlipidemia-related diseases.

Effects of unaltered and bioconverted mulberry leaf extracts on cellular glucose uptake and antidiabetic action in animals

Background

Mulberry is a Korean medicinal herb that shows effective prevention and treatment of obesity and diabetes. Bioconversion is the process of producing active ingredients from natural products using microorganisms or enzymes.

Methods

In this study, we prepared bioconverted mulberry leaf extract (BMLE) with Viscozyme L, which we tested in insulin-sensitive cells (i.e., skeletal muscle cells and adipocytes) and insulin-secreting pancreatic β-cells, as well as obese diabetic mice induced by co-administration of streptozotocin (100 mg/kg, IP) and nicotinamide (240 mg/kg, IP) and feeding high-fat diet, as compared to unaltered mulberry leaf extract (MLE).

Results

BMLE increased the glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes and 3 T3-L1 adipocytes and increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in HIT-T15 pancreatic β-cells. The fasting blood glucose levels in diabetic mice treated with BMLE or MLE (300 and 600 mg/kg, PO, 7 weeks) were significantly lower than those of the vehicle-treated group. At the same concentration, BMLE-treated mice showed better glucose tolerance than MLE-treated mice. Moreover, the blood concentration of glycated hemoglobin (HbA_1C) in mice treated with BMLE was lower than that in the MLE group at the same concentration. Plasma insulin levels in mice treated with BMLE or MLE tended to increase compared to the vehicle-treated group. Treatment with BMLE yielded significant improvements in insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity.

Conclusion

These results indicate that in the management of diabetic condition, BMLE is superior to unaltered MLE due to at least, in part, high concentrations of maker compounds (trans-caffeic acid and syringaldehyde) in BMLE.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12906-019-2460-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Nutraceutical and Medicinal Potential of the Morus Species in Metabolic Dysfunctions

Many populations use medicinal plants as a therapeutic treatment, due to their lower cost and greater access. Among the plant species used for medicinal purposes are those of the genus Morus. The most known species are Morus alba, rubra, and nigra. This review aims to collect data from the literature, predominantly from cell and animal studies, which presents a possible nutraceutical and medicinal potential of the species Morus for use in metabolic dysfunctions. The fruits and leaves of mulberry are used for therapeutic purposes. For scientific confirmation of these effects, they were studied for laxative properties, antibacterial activity, anti-atherogenic activity, and hepatoprotective function. Furthermore, the genus Morus is recognized for the treatment and prevention of diabetes mellitus, through its hypoglycemic action. It may also provide health benefits through immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-nociceptive effects. It has been found that the Morus species have phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and anthocyanins that act as important antioxidants and promote beneficial effects on human health. These phytochemical compounds differ among species. Blackberry (Morus nigra) are rich in flavonoids, while the white mulberry (Morus alba) has low concentrations of flavonoids and anthocyanins. In addition, another important factor is to ensure a complete exemption of toxic risks in the use of medicinal plants for the treatment of diseases. Studies have shown no toxic effects by the administration of extracts of Morus species. Thus, the mulberry tree presents nutraceutical potential. It is therefore a promising alternative for medicinal products based on medicinal plants.