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The global prevalence of obesity is rising year by year, which has become a public health problem worldwide. Many animal and clinical studies have shown that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum is considered an ideal probiotic and potential supplement for the treatment of obesity. In this study, we aimed to complete the genome sequence of L. plantarum HOM2217, which was isolated from human milk, and study its physiological characteristics and anti-obesity effects in 3T3-L1 cells and rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to determine its potential as a starter for functional food products. Whole-genome analysis demonstrated that HOM2217 contained a single circular chromosome of 3,267,529 bp with a GC content of 44.5% and one plasmid (62,350 bp) with a GC content of 38.5%. Compared to the reference strains, HOM2217 demonstrated superior tolerance to gastrointestinal conditions, higher adhesion to intestinal epithelial cell lines, potent antimicrobial activity against Enterobacter cloacae ATCC 13047, and effective cholesterol removal ability in vitro. Treatment with heat-killed HOM2217 significantly reduced lipid accumulation and intracellular triglyceride production in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Daily treatment of HFD-fed rats with HOM2217 for 7 weeks decreased body weight, body weight gain, and body fat without changes in food intake. HOM2217 also significantly increased the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level, decreased the serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF-a) and increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) (formic acid, acetic acid, and butyric acid) levels in the cecum. Thus, HOM2217 could potentially prevent obesity in rats by inhibiting inflammatory responses and regulating lipid metabolism and SCFAs expression. Therefore, HOM2217 has potential as an alternative treatment for obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of Lycium chinense Mill (LCM) extract on obesity and diabetes, using both in vitro and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mouse models. We found that LCM notably enhanced glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion in NCI-h716 cells from 411.4 ± 10.75 pg/mL to 411.4 ± 10.75 pg/mL compared to NT (78.0 ± 0.67 pg/mL) without causing cytotoxicity, implying the involvement of Protein Kinase A C (PKA C) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in its action mechanism. LCM also decreased lipid droplets and lowered the expression of adipogenic and lipogenic indicators, such as Fatty Acid Synthase (FAS), Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 4 (FABP4), and Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein 1c (SREBP1c), indicating the suppression of adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation. LCM administration to HFD mice resulted in significant weight loss (41.5 ± 3.3 g) compared to the HFD group (45.1 ± 1.8 g). In addition, improved glucose tolerance and serum lipid profiles demonstrated the ability to counteract obesity-related metabolic issues. Additionally, LCM exhibited hepatoprotective properties by reducing hepatic lipid accumulation and diminishing white adipose tissue mass and adipocyte size, thereby demonstrating its effectiveness against hepatic steatosis and adipocyte hypertrophy. These findings show that LCM can be efficiently used as a natural material to treat obesity and diabetes, providing a new approach for remedial and therapeutic purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential anti-obesity effects of sea cucumber extract have been reported. However, the individual saponins responsible for these effects are yet to be isolated and characterized. This study aimed to identify the most effective sea cucumber body part for inhibiting lipid accumulation in adipocytes and to elucidate the compounds responsible for this effect using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. Sea cucumber ovary 80 % ethanol extract (SCOE) demonstrated remarkable efficacy in inhibiting adipocyte differentiation compared to other sea cucumber body parts with 50 % or 80 % ethanol extracts. SCOE anti-obesity effect was evaluated in C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet, which revealed significant reductions in body weight, serum lipids, adipose tissue, and liver weight. Using column chromatography, eight saponins were isolated from the SCOE, four of which exhibited potent inhibitory effects on adipocyte differentiation. Of these, three active saponins, holotoxins A, B, and D1, were newly identified. These findings highlight the potential of SCOE and its saponins as effective anti-obesity agents.

Mandarin peel, a main by-product from the processing of citrus juice, has been highlighted for its various bioactivities and functional ingredients. Our previous study proved the inhibitory effects of Celluclast extract from mandarin peel (MPCE) on lipid accumulation and differentiation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate the anti-obesity effect of MPCE in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis exhibited that narirutin and hesperidin are the main active components of MPCE. Our current results showed that MPCE supplementation decreased adiposity by reducing body and organ weights in HFD-induced obese mice. MPCE also reduced triglyceride (TG), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and leptin contents in the serum of HFD-fed mice. Moreover, MPCE significantly inhibited hepatic lipid accumulation by regulating the expression levels of proteins associated with lipid metabolism, including sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP1c), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). Furthermore, MPCE administration significantly inhibited both adipogenesis and lipogenesis, with modulation of energy metabolism by activating 5′ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and lipolytic enzymes such as hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in the white adipose tissue (WAT). Altogether, our findings indicate that MPCE improves HFD-induced obesity and can be used as a curative agent in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals to alleviate obesity and related disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipid accumulation in adipocytes occurs through multifactorial effects such as overnutrition due to unbalanced eating habits, reduced physical activity, and genetic factors. In addition, obesity can be intensified by the dis-regulation of various metabolic systems such as differentiation, lipogenesis, lipolysis, and energy metabolism of adipocytes. In this study, the Jeju roasted peel extract from Citrus unshiu S.Markov. (JRC), which is discarded as opposed to the pulp of C. unshiu S.Markov., is commonly consumed to ameliorate obesity. To investigate the anti-obesity effect of JRC, these studies were conducted on differentiated 3T3-L1 cells and in high-fat diet-induced mice, and related methods were used to confirm whether it decreased lipid accumulation in adipocytes. The mechanism of inhibiting obesity by JRC was confirmed through mRNA expression studies. JRC suppressed lipid accumulation in adipocytes and adipose tissue, and significantly improved enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and gamma-glutamyl transferase and serum lipid profiles. In addition, it effectively modulated the expression of genes related to lipid and energy metabolism in adipose tissue. As a result, these findings suggest that JRC could be a therapeutic regulator of body fat accumulation by significantly alleviating the dis-regulation of intracellular lipid metabolism in adipocytes and by enhancement of energy metabolism (Approval No. CNU IACUC-YB-2023-98). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is a serious global health challenge, closely associated with numerous chronic conditions including type 2 diabetes. Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge (AA) known as Jimo has been used to address conditions associated with pathogenic heat such as wasting-thirst in Korean Medicine. Timosaponin A3 (TA3), a natural compound extracted from AA, has demonstrated potential therapeutic effects in various disease models. However, its effects on diabetes and obesity remain largely unexplored. We investigated the anti-obesity and anti-diabetic properties of TA3 using in vitro and in vivo models. TA3 treatment in NCI-H716 cells stimulated the secretion of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) through the activation of phosphorylation of protein kinase A catalytic subunit (PKAc) and 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, TA3 effectively inhibited lipid accumulation by regulating adipogenesis and lipogenesis. In a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced mice model, TA3 administration significantly reduced body weight gain and food intake. Furthermore, TA3 improved glucose tolerance, lipid profiles, and mitigated hepatic steatosis in HFD-fed mice. Histological analysis revealed that TA3 reduced the size of white adipocytes and inhibited adipose tissue generation. Notably, TA3 downregulated the expression of lipogenic factor, including fatty-acid synthase (FAS) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP1c), emphasizing its potential as an anti-obesity agent. These findings revealed that TA3 may be efficiently used as a natural compound for tackling obesity, diabetes, and associated metabolic disorders, providing a novel approach for therapeutic intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of Lycium chinense Mill (LCM) extract on obesity and diabetes, using both in vitro and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity mouse models. We found that LCM notably enhanced glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion in NCI-h716 cells from 411.4 ± 10.75 pg/mL to 411.4 ± 10.75 pg/mL compared to NT (78.0 ± 0.67 pg/mL) without causing cytotoxicity, implying the involvement of Protein Kinase A C (PKA C) and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in its action mechanism. LCM also decreased lipid droplets and lowered the expression of adipogenic and lipogenic indicators, such as Fatty Acid Synthase (FAS), Fatty Acid-Binding Protein 4 (FABP4), and Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein 1c (SREBP1c), indicating the suppression of adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation. LCM administration to HFD mice resulted in significant weight loss (41.5 ± 3.3 g) compared to the HFD group (45.1 ± 1.8 g). In addition, improved glucose tolerance and serum lipid profiles demonstrated the ability to counteract obesity-related metabolic issues. Additionally, LCM exhibited hepatoprotective properties by reducing hepatic lipid accumulation and diminishing white adipose tissue mass and adipocyte size, thereby demonstrating its effectiveness against hepatic steatosis and adipocyte hypertrophy. These findings show that LCM can be efficiently used as a natural material to treat obesity and diabetes, providing a new approach for remedial and therapeutic purposes.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of two enrichment processes on the quality parameters and bioactivity of Ottobratica extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) with ginger during storage. The first procedure was conducted by including ginger powder with olive fruits in the malaxer, and the second by infusion into the EVOO. The obtained oils were stored at room temperature for one year in the dark and periodically analysed. To evaluate the effect on the shelf-life of flavoured olive oils (FVOOs), physical, chemical and sensory parameters were evaluated. The FVOOs were investigated for antioxidant activity through a multi-target approach. The inhibition of lipase and carbohydrate hydrolysing enzymes was analysed. The addition of ginger in the malaxer generated a product that preserved the lowest values of peroxide after storage (10.57 mEq O2 kg−1) and maintained the highest α-tocopherol level (101.16 mg kg−1). The FVOOs, regardless of the enrichment technique used, showed a higher antioxidant activity than EVOO. Generally, a reduction in the inhibitory activity of the carbohydrate inhibitory enzymes was observed, especially after 60 days of storage. The addition of ginger improved the lipase inhibitory effect, especially if added during malaxation, and helped the FVOOs maintain this activity during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is a metabolic dysfunction characterized by excessive body fat deposition as a consequence of an energy imbalance. Novel therapeutic strategies have emerged that are safe and have comparatively low side effects for obesity treatment. Functional foods and nutraceuticals have recently received a great deal of attention because of their components with the properties of antimetabolic syndrome. Based on our previous in vitro and in vivo investigations on anti-adipogenesis activity and improved body fat accumulation in serials, the combination of three ingredients (including bainiku-ekisu, black garlic, and Mesona procumbens Hemsl), comprising the Mei-Gin formula (MGF), was eventually selected as a novel inhibitor that exhibited preventive effects against obesity. Herein, we verify the anti-obesity effects of MGF in obese rats induced by a high-fat diet and discuss the potential molecular mechanisms underlying obesity development. Oral administration of MGF significantly suppressed the final body weight, weight change, energy and water intake, subcutaneous and visceral fat mass, liver weight, hepatic total lipids and triglycerides (TG), and serum levels of TG, triglycerides (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), alanine transaminase (AST), uric acid, and ketone bodies and augmented fecal total lipids, TG, and cholesterol excretion in the high-dose MGF-supplemented groups. Furthermore, the corresponding lipid metabolic pathways revealed that MGF supplementation effectively increased lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation gene expression and attenuated fatty acid synthesis gene expression in the white adipose tissue (WAT) and liver and it also increased mitochondrial activation and thermogenic gene expression in the brown adipose tissue (BAT) of rats with obesity induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). These results demonstrate that the intake of MGF can be beneficial for the suppression of HFD-induced obesity in rats through the lipolysis, fatty oxidation, and thermogenesis pathway. In conclusion, these results demonstrate the anti-obesity efficacy of MGF in vivo and suggest that MGF may act as a potential therapeutic agent against obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mandarin peel, a main by-product from the processing of citrus juice, has been highlighted for its various bioactivities and functional ingredients. Our previous study proved the inhibitory effects of Celluclast extract from mandarin peel (MPCE) on lipid accumulation and differentiation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate the anti-obesity effect of MPCE in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis exhibited that narirutin and hesperidin are the main active components of MPCE. Our current results showed that MPCE supplementation decreased adiposity by reducing body and organ weights in HFD-induced obese mice. MPCE also reduced triglyceride (TG), alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and leptin contents in the serum of HFD-fed mice. Moreover, MPCE significantly inhibited hepatic lipid accumulation by regulating the expression levels of proteins associated with lipid metabolism, including sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP1c), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). Furthermore, MPCE administration significantly inhibited both adipogenesis and lipogenesis, with modulation of energy metabolism by activating 5′ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and lipolytic enzymes such as hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) in the white adipose tissue (WAT). Altogether, our findings indicate that MPCE improves HFD-induced obesity and can be used as a curative agent in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals to alleviate obesity and related disorders.

Obesity is a serious global health challenge, closely associated with numerous chronic conditions including type 2 diabetes. Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge (AA) known as Jimo has been used to address conditions associated with pathogenic heat such as wasting-thirst in Korean Medicine. Timosaponin A3 (TA3), a natural compound extracted from AA, has demonstrated potential therapeutic effects in various disease models. However, its effects on diabetes and obesity remain largely unexplored. We investigated the anti-obesity and anti-diabetic properties of TA3 using in vitro and in vivo models. TA3 treatment in NCI-H716 cells stimulated the secretion of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) through the activation of phosphorylation of protein kinase A catalytic subunit (PKAc) and 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). In 3T3-L1 adipocytes, TA3 effectively inhibited lipid accumulation by regulating adipogenesis and lipogenesis. In a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced mice model, TA3 administration significantly reduced body weight gain and food intake. Furthermore, TA3 improved glucose tolerance, lipid profiles, and mitigated hepatic steatosis in HFD-fed mice. Histological analysis revealed that TA3 reduced the size of white adipocytes and inhibited adipose tissue generation. Notably, TA3 downregulated the expression of lipogenic factor, including fatty-acid synthase (FAS) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP1c), emphasizing its potential as an anti-obesity agent. These findings revealed that TA3 may be efficiently used as a natural compound for tackling obesity, diabetes, and associated metabolic disorders, providing a novel approach for therapeutic intervention.

Seven commercial hop (Humulus lupulus L.) oils originating from a selection of North American hop varieties (Amarillo, Azacca, Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, Saaz, and Ahhhroma) and six homemade hop oils hydrodistilled from the same commercial hop pellets (except Ahhhroma) were compared. Seven terpenes regarded as hop oil markers (i.e., α-pinene, β-pinene, β-myrcene, β-ocimene, limonene, β-caryophyllene, and α-humulene) and methyl heptanoate were identified and quantified by GC–MS and GC-FID. The antioxidant potential of the commercial hop oil samples was evaluated using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, while their components' antibacterial (against Aliivibrio fischeri) and enzyme (α-glucosidase and lipase) inhibition activities were screened using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC)-based assays. A distinct feature of five of the commercial hop oils (except Saaz and Ahhhroma) was relatively high contents of β-myrcene (between 4.21 and 6.40 µg mg−1 hop oil). Azacca, Cascade, and Centennial hydrodistilled oils had perceptibly higher contents of β-caryophyllene than the rest, and most of them (except Chinook) contained relatively high amounts of α-humulene. Differences between the terpene profiles of the commercial and homemade hydrodistilled hop oils suggested that the commercial hop oils were derived from hop cones in a process different from hydrodistillation. The oils showed relatively low antioxidant potential, comparable to that of popular beers and white wines. The highest antioxidant potential was observed in Ahhhroma oil, while it was very low in Centennial oil, and no antioxidant potential was observed in Cascade and Saaz oils. The developed streamlined workflow, including parallel HPTLC-directed bioassays and HPTLC—TLC–MS Interface—SPME–GC–MS, enabled the identification of β-myrcene, dimyrcenes, β-farnesene, and 2-methylbutyl isobutyrate as anti-obesity compounds and β-farnesene, β-myrcene, and 2-methylbutyl isobutyrate as weak antibacterial hop oil components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alterations in the intestinal microbial flora are known to cause various diseases, and many people routinely consume probiotics or prebiotics to balance intestinal microorganisms and the growth of beneficial bacteria. In this study, we selected a peptide from fish (tilapia) skin that induces significant changes in the intestinal microflora of mice and reduces the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, which is linked to obesity. We attempted to verify the anti-obesity effect of selected fish collagen peptides in a high-fat-diet-based obese mouse model. As anticipated, the collagen peptide co-administered with a high-fat diet significantly inhibited the increase in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. It increased specific bacterial taxa, including Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Faecalibaculum, Bacteroides, and Streptococcus, known for their anti-obesity effects. Consequently, alterations in the gut microbiota resulted in the activation of metabolic pathways, such as polysaccharide degradation and essential amino acid synthesis, which are associated with obesity inhibition. In addition, collagen peptide also effectively reduced all obesity signs caused by a high-fat diet, such as abdominal fat accumulation, high blood glucose levels, and weight gain. Ingestion of collagen peptides derived from fish skin induced significant changes in the intestinal microflora and is a potential auxiliary therapeutic agent to suppress the onset of obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main active ingredients in lotus leaves were introduced in this review, including flavonoids, alkaloids, volatile oils, terpenoids, polysaccharides, and organic acids. The pharmacological functions of lotus leaves, such as lipid-lowering and anti-obesity activities, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, and blood-lowering activities, protective effects of the cardiovascular system, nervous system, and liver, and anti-tumor activity were also summarized. The relative research and application were prospected in order to provide references for the comprehensive utilization of lotus leaf resources.

Obesity has become one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide, which affects people's health and daily lives. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the anti-obesity effects of perilla seed oil (PSO), sunflower oil (SFO), and tea seed oil (TSO) and their potential mechanisms in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Mice were divided into five groups: ND, mice fed a normal diet; HFD, mice fed a high-fat diet; PSO, SFO, and TSO, mice fed a high-fat diet supplemented with PSO, SFO, and TSO at 2 g/kg body weight per day, respectively. Our findings showed that oral supplementation with all three oils for 8 weeks significantly reduced body weight, tissue weight, insulin resistance index, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and free fatty acids (FFA), and markedly alleviated hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hepatic steatosis in obese mice. It also decreased leptin, pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and (IL)-1beta (IL-1β), and increased anti-inflammatory adipokine adiponectin at both secretion and mRNA expression levels in the epididymal adipose tissue (EAT). Moreover, PSO, SFO, and TSO administration increased the expression levels of fatty acid β-oxidation-related genes, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a (CPT1a) and CPT1b, and thermogenesis-related genes such as uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), and decreased the expression levels of lipid synthesis-related genes, including fatty acid synthase (FAS) and PPAR-γ in EAT. In conclusion, PSO, SFO, and TSO supplementation could have potential anti-obesity effects in HFD-fed mice by reducing inflammation and improving lipid metabolism.

Obesity has become one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide, which affects people's health and daily lives. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the anti-obesity effects of perilla seed oil (PSO), sunflower oil (SFO), and tea seed oil (TSO) and their potential mechanisms in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Mice were divided into five groups: ND, mice fed a normal diet; HFD, mice fed a high-fat diet; PSO, SFO, and TSO, mice fed a high-fat diet supplemented with PSO, SFO, and TSO at 2 g/kg body weight per day, respectively. Our findings showed that oral supplementation with all three oils for 8 weeks significantly reduced body weight, tissue weight, insulin resistance index, serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and free fatty acids (FFA), and markedly alleviated hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hepatic steatosis in obese mice. It also decreased leptin, pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, and (IL)-1beta (IL-1β), and increased anti-inflammatory adipokine adiponectin at both secretion and mRNA expression levels in the epididymal adipose tissue (EAT). Moreover, PSO, SFO, and TSO administration increased the expression levels of fatty acid β-oxidation-related genes, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a (CPT1a) and CPT1b, and thermogenesis-related genes such as uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), and decreased the expression levels of lipid synthesis-related genes, including fatty acid synthase (FAS) and PPAR-γ in EAT. In conclusion, PSO, SFO, and TSO supplementation could have potential anti-obesity effects in HFD-fed mice by reducing inflammation and improving lipid metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The aim of this work was to evaluate the impact of two enrichment processes on the quality parameters and bioactivity of Ottobratica extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) with ginger during storage. The first procedure was conducted by including ginger powder with olive fruits in the malaxer, and the second by infusion into the EVOO. The obtained oils were stored at room temperature for one year in the dark and periodically analysed. To evaluate the effect on the shelf-life of flavoured olive oils (FVOOs), physical, chemical and sensory parameters were evaluated. The FVOOs were investigated for antioxidant activity through a multi-target approach. The inhibition of lipase and carbohydrate hydrolysing enzymes was analysed. The addition of ginger in the malaxer generated a product that preserved the lowest values of peroxide after storage (10.57 mEq O2 kg−1) and maintained the highest α-tocopherol level (101.16 mg kg−1). The FVOOs, regardless of the enrichment technique used, showed a higher antioxidant activity than EVOO. Generally, a reduction in the inhibitory activity of the carbohydrate inhibitory enzymes was observed, especially after 60 days of storage. The addition of ginger improved the lipase inhibitory effect, especially if added during malaxation, and helped the FVOOs maintain this activity during storage.

Obesity is a metabolic dysfunction characterized by excessive body fat deposition as a consequence of an energy imbalance. Novel therapeutic strategies have emerged that are safe and have comparatively low side effects for obesity treatment. Functional foods and nutraceuticals have recently received a great deal of attention because of their components with the properties of antimetabolic syndrome. Based on our previous in vitro and in vivo investigations on anti-adipogenesis activity and improved body fat accumulation in serials, the combination of three ingredients (including bainiku-ekisu, black garlic, and Mesona procumbens Hemsl), comprising the Mei-Gin formula (MGF), was eventually selected as a novel inhibitor that exhibited preventive effects against obesity. Herein, we verify the anti-obesity effects of MGF in obese rats induced by a high-fat diet and discuss the potential molecular mechanisms underlying obesity development. Oral administration of MGF significantly suppressed the final body weight, weight change, energy and water intake, subcutaneous and visceral fat mass, liver weight, hepatic total lipids and triglycerides (TG), and serum levels of TG, triglycerides (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), alanine transaminase (AST), uric acid, and ketone bodies and augmented fecal total lipids, TG, and cholesterol excretion in the high-dose MGF-supplemented groups. Furthermore, the corresponding lipid metabolic pathways revealed that MGF supplementation effectively increased lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation gene expression and attenuated fatty acid synthesis gene expression in the white adipose tissue (WAT) and liver and it also increased mitochondrial activation and thermogenic gene expression in the brown adipose tissue (BAT) of rats with obesity induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). These results demonstrate that the intake of MGF can be beneficial for the suppression of HFD-induced obesity in rats through the lipolysis, fatty oxidation, and thermogenesis pathway. In conclusion, these results demonstrate the anti-obesity efficacy of MGF in vivo and suggest that MGF may act as a potential therapeutic agent against obesity.

SUMMARY Research backgroundObesity increases mortality and morbidity due to its impact on type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases, arthritis and certain cancers. The epidemic of excessive mass and obesity require constant research to improve therapies without undesirable side effects. Therefore, exploring the anti-obesity phytochemicals from food sources is essential. Most pharmacological studies of the anti-obesity potential of Capsicum annuum have been directed towards capsaicin and very few towards capsanthin. However, these studies utilized uncoated capsaicin and capsanthin. This study aims to compare the anti-obesity effects of enteric-coated capsaicin and capsanthin in a high-fat diet-induced obesity in animal model. Experimental approachIn this study, we investigated the anti-obesity properties of capsanthin-enriched pellets and capsaicin pellets derived from red chili fruit (Capsicum annuum) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in C57BL/6J mice. First, the animals received HFD to induce their obesity. Animals were supplemented orally with pellets. The food intake, body mass, obesity and clinical biomarkers were assessed. Results and conclusionsThe mice fed with HFD gained body mass and white adipose tissue mass compared to the mice that consumed a normal diet. The oral administration of capsanthin-enriched pellets and capsaicin pellets significantly reduced the body mass gain. These pellets have a statistically significant (p50% in the management of obesity for the first time.

The time-dependent effects of caffeine intake on physiological functions remain to be investigated, although various effects of caffeine on physiological functions have been document. Therefore, the present study investigated the optimal timing of caffeine intake to produce an efficient anti-obesity effect. We prepared a high-fat diet (HFD) or HFD supplemented with 0.03% caffeine (HFD-caf) and regulated twice-daily 8-hour time-restricted feeding. Male Institute of Cancer Research mice were divided into three groups: group fed HFD alone (control), group fed HFD-caf at the beginning of the active period (BF-caf), and group fed HFD-caf at the end of the active period (DN-caf). The BF-caf group (42.8 ± 1.5 g) showed lower body weight than the other groups (control, 49.7 ± 2.1 g; DN-caf, 47.1 ± 1.3 g), although the three groups showed similar HFD intake levels. Therefore, caffeine intake at the beginning of the active period suppressed HFD-induced body weight gain.

The global prevalence of obesity is rising year by year, which has become a public health problem worldwide. Many animal and clinical studies have shown that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum is considered an ideal probiotic and potential supplement for the treatment of obesity. In this study, we aimed to complete the genome sequence of L. plantarum HOM2217, which was isolated from human milk, and study its physiological characteristics and anti-obesity effects in 3T3-L1 cells and rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to determine its potential as a starter for functional food products. Whole-genome analysis demonstrated that HOM2217 contained a single circular chromosome of 3,267,529 bp with a GC content of 44.5% and one plasmid (62,350 bp) with a GC content of 38.5%. Compared to the reference strains, HOM2217 demonstrated superior tolerance to gastrointestinal conditions, higher adhesion to intestinal epithelial cell lines, potent antimicrobial activity against Enterobacter cloacae ATCC 13047, and effective cholesterol removal ability in vitro . Treatment with heat-killed HOM2217 significantly reduced lipid accumulation and intracellular triglyceride production in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Daily treatment of HFD-fed rats with HOM2217 for 7 weeks decreased body weight, body weight gain, and body fat without changes in food intake. HOM2217 also significantly increased the serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level, decreased the serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) (formic acid, acetic acid, and butyric acid) levels in the cecum. Thus, HOM2217 could potentially prevent obesity in rats by inhibiting inflammatory responses and regulating lipid metabolism and SCFAs expression. Therefore, HOM2217 has potential as an alternative treatment for obesity., Competing Interests: TW, XZ, LF, YZ, ZZ, and ZC were employed by Beijing Hanmi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. YX, SL, CL, and SZ were employed by Coree Beijing Co., Ltd., (Copyright © 2024 Wang, Zhang, Fan, Zhao, Zhang, Cao, Xu, Lee, Lim and Zhang.)

Seven commercial hop (Humulus lupulus L.) oils originating from a selection of North American hop varieties (Amarillo, Azacca, Cascade, Centennial, Chinook, Saaz, and Ahhhroma) and six homemade hop oils hydrodistilled from the same commercial hop pellets (except Ahhhroma) were compared. Seven terpenes regarded as hop oil markers (i.e., α-pinene, β-pinene, β-myrcene, β-ocimene, limonene, β-caryophyllene, and α-humulene) and methyl heptanoate were identified and quantified by GC–MS and GC-FID. The antioxidant potential of the commercial hop oil samples was evaluated using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, while their components’ antibacterial (against Aliivibrio fischeri) and enzyme (α-glucosidase and lipase) inhibition activities were screened using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC)-based assays. A distinct feature of five of the commercial hop oils (except Saaz and Ahhhroma) was relatively high contents of β-myrcene (between 4.21 and 6.40 µg mg−1 hop oil). Azacca, Cascade, and Centennial hydrodistilled oils had perceptibly higher contents of β-caryophyllene than the rest, and most of them (except Chinook) contained relatively high amounts of α-humulene. Differences between the terpene profiles of the commercial and homemade hydrodistilled hop oils suggested that the commercial hop oils were derived from hop cones in a process different from hydrodistillation. The oils showed relatively low antioxidant potential, comparable to that of popular beers and white wines. The highest antioxidant potential was observed in Ahhhroma oil, while it was very low in Centennial oil, and no antioxidant potential was observed in Cascade and Saaz oils. The developed streamlined workflow, including parallel HPTLC-directed bioassays and HPTLC—TLC–MS Interface—SPME–GC–MS, enabled the identification of β-myrcene, dimyrcenes, β-farnesene, and 2-methylbutyl isobutyrate as anti-obesity compounds and β-farnesene, β-myrcene, and 2-methylbutyl isobutyrate as weak antibacterial hop oil components.

Alterations in the intestinal microbial flora are known to cause various diseases, and many people routinely consume probiotics or prebiotics to balance intestinal microorganisms and the growth of beneficial bacteria. In this study, we selected a peptide from fish (tilapia) skin that induces significant changes in the intestinal microflora of mice and reduces the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, which is linked to obesity. We attempted to verify the anti-obesity effect of selected fish collagen peptides in a high-fat-diet-based obese mouse model. As anticipated, the collagen peptide co-administered with a high-fat diet significantly inhibited the increase in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio. It increased specific bacterial taxa, including Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, Faecalibaculum, Bacteroides, and Streptococcus, known for their anti-obesity effects. Consequently, alterations in the gut microbiota resulted in the activation of metabolic pathways, such as polysaccharide degradation and essential amino acid synthesis, which are associated with obesity inhibition. In addition, collagen peptide also effectively reduced all obesity signs caused by a high-fat diet, such as abdominal fat accumulation, high blood glucose levels, and weight gain. Ingestion of collagen peptides derived from fish skin induced significant changes in the intestinal microflora and is a potential auxiliary therapeutic agent to suppress the onset of obesity.

Research background. Obesity increases mortality and morbidity due to its impact on type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases, arthritis and certain cancers. The epidemic of excessive mass and obesity require constant research to improve therapies without undesirable side effects. Therefore, exploring the anti-obesity phytochemicals from food sources is essential. Most pharmacological studies of the anti-obesity potential of Capsicum annuum have been directed towards capsaicin and very few towards capsanthin. However, these studies utilized uncoated capsaicin and capsanthin. This study aims to compare the anti-obesity effects of enteric-coated capsaicin and capsanthin in a high-fat diet-induced obesity in animal model. Experimental approach. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity properties of capsanthin-enriched pellets and capsaicin pellets derived from red chili fruit (Capsicum annuum) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in C57BL/6J mice. First, the animals received HFD to induce their obesity. Animals were supplemented orally with pellets. The food intake, body mass, obesity and clinical biomarkers were assessed. Results and conclusions. The mice fed with HFD gained body mass and white adipose tissue mass compared to the mice that consumed a normal diet. The oral administration of capsanthin-enriched pellets and capsaicin pellets significantly reduced the body mass gain. These pellets have a statistically significant (p<0.05) impact on obesity biomarkers by increasing adiponectin and decreasing leptin, free fatty acid and insulin concentrations relative to HFD control. There was no change in the liver mass in all groups, but there was a significant decrease in white adipose tissue amounts. Inguinal adipose tissue amount was reduced by 37.0 % and that of epididymal adipose tissue by 43.64 % after treatment with capsanthin-enriched pellets. These results suggest that capsanthin-enriched pellets and capsaicin pellets may be useful in combating metabolic diseases, including obesity, without adverse effects. Novelty and scientific contribution. We increased the content of capsanthin for more than 50 % in capsanthin-enriched extract and extended the room temperature stability for more than one year by converting the crystals into capsanthin-enriched pellets. This study breaks new ground by examining the potential of capsanthin >50 % in the management of obesity for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential anti-obesity effects of sea cucumber extract have been reported. However, the individual saponins responsible for these effects are yet to be isolated and characterized. This study aimed to identify the most effective sea cucumber body part for inhibiting lipid accumulation in adipocytes and to elucidate the compounds responsible for this effect using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. Sea cucumber ovary 80 % ethanol extract (SCOE) demonstrated remarkable efficacy in inhibiting adipocyte differentiation compared to other sea cucumber body parts with 50 % or 80 % ethanol extracts. SCOE anti-obesity effect was evaluated in C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet, which revealed significant reductions in body weight, serum lipids, adipose tissue, and liver weight. Using column chromatography, eight saponins were isolated from the SCOE, four of which exhibited potent inhibitory effects on adipocyte differentiation. Of these, three active saponins, holotoxins A, B, and D1, were newly identified. These findings highlight the potential of SCOE and its saponins as effective anti-obesity agents., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

With the improvement of living conditions and the popularity of unhealthy eating and living habits, obesity is becoming a global epidemic. Obesity is now recognized as a disease that not only increases the risk of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer but also negatively affects longevity and the quality of life. The traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) are highly enriched in bioactive compounds and have been used for the treatment of obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases over a long period of time. In this review, we selected the most commonly used anti-obesity or anti-hyperlipidemia TCMs and, where known, their major bioactive compounds. We then summarized their multi-target molecular mechanisms, specifically focusing on lipid metabolism, including the modulation of lipid absorption, reduction of lipid synthesis, and increase of lipid decomposition and lipid transportation, as well as the regulation of appetite. This review produces a current and comprehensive understanding of integrative and systematic mechanisms for the use of TCMs for anti-obesity. We also advocate taking advantage of TCMs as another therapy for interventions on obesity-related diseases, as well as stressing the fact that more is needed to be done, scientifically, to determine the active compounds and modes of action of the TCMs.

With the improvement of living conditions and the popularity of unhealthy eating and living habits, obesity is becoming a global epidemic. Obesity is now recognized as a disease that not only increases the risk of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes (T2D), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cancer but also negatively affects longevity and the quality of life. The traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) are highly enriched in bioactive compounds and have been used for the treatment of obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases over a long period of time. In this review, we selected the most commonly used anti-obesity or anti-hyperlipidemia TCMs and, where known, their major bioactive compounds. We then summarized their multi-target molecular mechanisms, specifically focusing on lipid metabolism, including the modulation of lipid absorption, reduction of lipid synthesis, and increase of lipid decomposition and lipid transportation, as well as the regulation of appetite. This review produces a current and comprehensive understanding of integrative and systematic mechanisms for the use of TCMs for anti-obesity. We also advocate taking advantage of TCMs as another therapy for interventions on obesity-related diseases, as well as stressing the fact that more is needed to be done, scientifically, to determine the active compounds and modes of action of the TCMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactobacillus plantarum KC28 showed a beneficial (anti-obesity) effect in a diet-induced obese (DIO) C57BL/6 murine model receiving an intermediate high-fat diet (IF). This diet was selected for probiotic studies by prior comparisons of different combinations of basic (carbohydrate, protein and fat) components for optimized induction of dietary obesity in a murine model. Prior selection of Lact. plantarum strain KC28 was based on different physiological tests for safety and functionality including cell line adhesion and anti-adipogenic activity. The strain was administered at 5.0 × 109 CFU/mouse/day to the DIO mice (control mice received a normal diet). The anti-obesity effect of KC28 and the well-known probiotic strains Lact. rhamnosus GG (LGG) and Lact. plantarum 299v was assessed over 12 weeks. Xenical served as anti-obesity control. The high-fat diet groups receiving strains KC28 and LGG and the control Xenical group showed significant weight loss and notable changes in some obesity-related biomarkers in the liver (significant up-regulation of PGC1-α and CPT1-α only by KC28; p < 0.05) and mesenteric adipose tissue (significant down-regulation of ACOX-1, PPAR-γ, and FAS; KC28 p < 0.001 for PPAR-γ and FAS), compared with the IF control. Favourable changes in the studied biomarkers suggest a similar beneficial influence of Lact. plantarum KC28 on the alleviation of obesity comparable with that of the two well-studied probiotic strains, LGG and 299v. This probably resulted from a modulation in the cecal microbiota of the IF group by either probiotic strain, yet in a different manner, showing a highly significant increase in the families Desulfovibrionaceae and Lactobacillaceae only in the group receiving Lact. plantarum KC28. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydrophobicity and anti-obesity characteristics of the threonine (Thr) derivative of Monascus pigment were determined and compared with 2-(p-tolyl)-ethylamine (TEA) and tryptophan (Trp) derivatives of the same. Treatment by all three derivatives decreased body weight gain, epididymal fat weight, and abdominal fat in mice. The lowest body weight gain and epididymal fat weight were observed with the Monascus-Thr derivative treatment, which is more hydrophilic than other the other treatments tested. Further in vivo tests with the Thr derivative at different concentrations demonstrated that body weight, epididymal fat weight, and serum lipid level are reduced in a concentration-dependent manner. Significant reduction was exhibited at 0.10 mg/g-mouse/day of the Thr derivative, and less reduction was observed at 0.05 or 0.01 mg/g-mouse/day. In comparison with mice fed a normal diet, there was no statistical weight change in the liver, kidney, or spleen, indicating the Thr derivative was not toxic to mice.

The inhibitory activity and binding characteristics of caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, quercetin and capsaicin, four phenolic compounds found in hot pepper, against porcine pancreatic lipase activity were studied and compared to hot pepper extract. Quercetin was the strongest inhibitor (IC50=(6.1±2.4) μM), followed by p-coumaric acid ((170.2±20.6) μM) and caffeic acid ((401.5±32.1) μM), while capsaicin and a hot pepper extract had very low inhibitory activity. All polyphenolic compounds showed a mixed-type inhibition. Fluorescence spectroscopy studies showed that polyphenolic compounds had the ability to quench the intrinsic fluorescence of pancreatic lipase by a static mechanism. The sequence of Stern-Volmer constant was quercetin, followed by caffeic and p-coumaric acids. Molecular docking studies showed that caffeic acid, quercetin and p-coumaric acid bound near the active site, while capsaicin bound far away from the active site. Hydrogen bonds and π-stacking hydrophobic interactions are the main pancreatic lipase-polyphenolic compound interactions observed.

The gut microbiota is the most important environmental factor that plays a role in inducing obesity. The gram-negative bacteria, Enterobacter cloacae strains, recently identified in obese mice are considered to be pathogenic bacteria in the gut. Probiotics are important members of the gut microbiota and exert beneficial effects, including inhibiting the growth of potential pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, we isolated a total of 230 lactic acid bacteria from traditional, Korean fermented foods and fecal samples from newborn infants, including Lactobacillus plantarum LMT1-48, which exhibited maximal antimicrobial activity against E. cloacae. We next investigated the functional antiobesity effects of L. plantarum LMT1-48 in an E. cloacae-induced high-fat diet (HFD)-fed animal obesity model. To this end, the L. plantarum LMT1-48 showed antiobesity effects, including body weight loss and reduction of abdominal fat volume, which was accompanied by a decrease in leptin and total cholesterol levels in E. cloacae-induced HFD-fed mice. Notably, gut microbiota diversity also increased after long-term ingestion of L. plantarum LMT1-48, resulting in amelioration of obesity in E. cloacae-induced HFD-fed mice. Accordingly, results suggest that dietary intake of L. plantarum LMT1-48 protects against the onset of E. cloacae-induced obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abdominal fat accumulation causes metabolic syndrome, which is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities such as dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance or hyperinsulinemia, and hypertension, leading to the development of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Diets are known to contribute to the development or prevention of metabolic syndrome. Several studies have reported that the quality of dietary proteins may be an important modulator of the risk of this syndrome. We investigated the effects of consuming egg white protein (EWP) or lactic-fermented egg white (LE), an easy-to-consume form of egg white, on the development of metabolic syndrome in animal models and humans. In comparison with casein, dietary EWP decreased lymphatic lipid transport in thoracic lymph duct-cannulated rats. In an in vitro experiment, EWP pepsin hydrolysate decreased the cholesterol micellar solubility and cholesterol transfer rate from micelles to oil phase, and increased water-holding capacity, settling volume in water, and relative viscosity compared with casein pepsin hydrolysate. The daily consumption of LE for 8 weeks reduced serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels in men with mild hypercholesterolemia. Furthermore, dietary EWP reduced the body fat mass of rats by increasing the body protein mass and accelerating hepatic ß-oxidation. The daily consumption of LE for 12 weeks reduced the visceral fat area and improved the ratio of the visceral to subcutaneous fat area. Taken together, these results indicated that dietary EWP and LE would be useful for preventing or alleviating metabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caffeic acid (CA) and chlorogenic acid (CGA) are phenolic compounds claimed to be responsible for the metabolic effects of coffee and tea consumption. Along with their structural similarities, they share common mechanisms such as activation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling. The present study aimed to investigate the anti-obesity potential of CA and CGA as co-treatment in human adipocytes. The molecular interactions of CA and CGA with key adipogenic transcription factors were simulated through an in silico molecular docking approach. The expression levels of white and brown adipocyte markers, as well as genes related to lipid metabolism, were analyzed by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot analyses. Mechanistically, the CA/CGA combination induced lipolysis, upregulated AMPK and browning gene expression and downregulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) at both transcriptional and protein levels. The gene expression profiles of the CA/CGA-co-treated adipocytes strongly resembled brown-like signatures. Major pathways identified included the AMPK- and PPAR-related signaling pathways. Collectively, these findings indicated that CA/CGA co-stimulation exerted a browning-inducing potential superior to that of either compound used alone which merits implementation in obesity management. Further, the obtained data provide additional insights on how CA and CGA modify adipocyte function, differentiation and lipid metabolism.

Bambusa textilis McClure (Bambusoideae) is a valuable bamboo species widely distributed in southern China. The methanolic extract of B. textilis leaves was examined for its chemical and bioactive properties. As a result, 38 compounds, including organic acids, flavonoids and miscellaneous substances, were identified or tentatively characterised by UFLC-DAD-Q-TOF-MS. Thirteen polyphenols, considered as the most important components, were quantified using LC-MS/MS method. Moreover, the methanolic extract of B. textilis leaves had obvious antioxidant and anti-obesity activities in vivo in a high-fat diet rat model. It also had a significant antioxidant effect in 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and inhibition of β-carotene bleaching assays in vitro. These results are useful for further research of B. textilis leaves that may be useful candidates for the development as a functional food ingredient in health-related industries.

This study investigated the effects of mulberry leaf extract (MLE) and mulberry leaf polyphenol extract (MLPE) on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells and obesity in mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). MLPE was extracted from mulberry leaves using ethanol, and those polyphenolic compounds that can be analysed by HPLC. Both MLE and MLPE efficiently suppressed the expression of SREBP-1c and PPAR-γ proteins and the target genes A-FABP and FAS, whereas both of these compounds increased phosphorylation of AMPK in vivo and in vitro. Treatment of quercetin, caffeic acid, hydroxyflavin and hesperetin, the main ingredients of MLPE, also inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. In addition, orally administering MLE significantly reduced body weight gain and lipid accumulation in the liver and serum/hepatic triglyceride and total cholesterol levels compared with those in the HFD group. Therefore, the mulberry leaf may be used as a dietary supplement in patients with certain diseases with obesity involvement.

Obesity is prevalent in modern human societies. We examined the anti-obesity effects of scopolin on adipocyte differentiation in preadipocyte 3T3-L1 cells and weight loss in an ovariectomy (OVX)-induced obese mouse model. Scopolin inhibited adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation in the preadipocyte cells by suppressing the transcription of adipogenic-related factors, including adiponectin (Adipoq), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (Pparg), lipoprotein lipase (Lpl), perilipin1 (Plin1), fatty acid-binding protein 4 (Fabp4), glucose transporter type 4 (Slc2a4), and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (Cebpa). In OVX-induced obese mice, administration of scopolin promoted the reduction of body weight, total fat percentage, liver steatosis, and adipose cell size. In addition, the scopolin-treated OVX mice showed decreased serum levels of leptin and insulin. Taken together, these findings suggest that the use of scopolin prevented adipocyte differentiation and weight gain in vitro and in vivo, indicating that scopolin may be a potential bioactive compound for the treatment and prevention of obesity in humans.

Ginkgo seed coat is rarely used and is typically discarded, due to its offensive odor and its toxicity. Ginkgo vinegar is a fermented product of ginkgo seed coat, and fermentation removes the bad smell and most of the toxicity. Thus, ginkgo vinegar contains very low concentrations of toxic components. The present study examined the anti-obesity effect of ginkgo vinegar in mice fed a high-fat diet and its inhibition of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Ginkgo vinegar suppressed high-fat diet-induced body weight gain and reduced the size of fat cells in mice. Ginkgo vinegar suppressed the expression of C/EBPδ and PPARγ, key proteins in adipogenesis, and inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells that were induced to become adipocytes. These results suggested that ginkgo vinegar inhibited adipocyte differentiation. On the other hand, a corresponding concentration of acetic acid had significantly less effect on lipid accumulation and virtually no effect on adipogenic gene expression. These results suggested that, similar to Ginkgo biloba extract, ginkgo vinegar might prevent and improve adiposity. Therefore, ginkgo seed coat could be a useful material for medicinal ingredients.

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Abstract: BACKGROUND: Grains of paradise (GP) is the seed of Aframomum melegueta, which is widely distributed throughout West Africa and has been used as a spice and a folk remedy for a long time. Anti‐obesity effect of GP intake was demonstrated in a previous report. Aim of the present study was to isolate some compounds in GP and clarify the anti‐obesity mechanism. RESULTS: Ten vanilloid compounds were isolated. Among them, 1‐(4′‐hydroxy‐3′‐methoxyphenyl)‐decan‐3‐ol and 1‐(4′‐hydroxy‐3′‐methoxyphenyl)‐3‐octen‐5‐one were determined as novel compounds and 6‐gingerol, 6‐paradol and 6‐shogaol were identified as the major constituents in GP extract. Moreover, the extract and 6‐gingerol, which is one of the principal components of GP extract, were orally administered to rats to investigate the effect on sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) in brown adipose tissue (BAT). The injection of GP extract and 6‐gingerol decreased BAT‐SNA, whereas capsaicin, which is a major component of chili pepper, activates the sympathetic nervous system. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that GP extract and 6‐gingerol were largely unrelated to the anti‐obesity effect by the activation of interscapular BAT‐SNA and had a different anti‐obesity mechanism to capsaicin. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diphlorethohydroxycarmalol (DPHC) is one of the most abundant bioactive compounds in Ishige okamurae. The previous study suggested that DPHC possesses strong in vitro anti-obesity activity in 3T3-L1 cells. However, the in vivo anti-obesity effect of DPHC has not been determined. The current study explored the effect of DPHC on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity in C57BL/6J mice. The results indicated that oral administration of DPHC (25 and 50 mg/kg/day for six weeks) significantly and dose-dependently reduced HFD-induced adiposity and body weight gain. DPHC not only decreased the levels of triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, leptin, and aspartate transaminase but also increased the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in the serum of HFD mice. In addition, DPHC significantly reduced hepatic lipid accumulation by reduction of expression levels of the critical enzymes for lipogenesis including SREBP-1c, FABP4, and FAS. Furthermore, DPHC remarkably reduced the adipocyte size, as well as decreased the expression levels of key adipogenic-specific proteins and lipogenic enzymes including PPARγ, C/EBPα, SREBP-1c, FABP4, and FAS, which regulate the lipid metabolism in the epididymal adipose tissue (EAT). Further studies demonstrated that DPHC significantly stimulated the phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) in both liver and EAT. These results demonstrated that DPHC effectively prevented HFD-induced obesity and suggested that DPHC could be used as a potential therapeutic agent for attenuating obesity and obesity-related diseases.

Sichuan pickle is a traditional fermented food in China which is produced by the spontaneous fermentation of Chinese cabbage. In this study, the anti-obesity effects of a new lactic acid bacterium (Lactobacillus fermentum CQPC05, LF-CQPC05) isolated from Sichuan pickles were assessed in vivo. An obese animal model was established in mice by inducing obesity with high-fat diet. Both serum and tissues were collected from the mice, and then subjected to qPCR and Western blot analyses. The results showed that LF-CQPC05 could decrease the values of hepatosomatic, epididymal fat, and perirenal fat indices that were induced by a high-fat diet in mice. Moreover, LF-CQPC05 reduced the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransaminase (AST), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and increased the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in both serum samples and liver tissues of obese mice fed with a high-fat diet. Pathological observations demonstrated that LF-CQPC05 could alleviate the obesity-induced pathological changes in the liver tissue of mice, and reduce the degree of adipocyte enlargement. The results of qPCR and Western blot analyses further indicated that LF-CQPC05 upregulated the mRNA and protein expression levels of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), PPAR-α: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-α), (cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase) CYP7A1, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1A), and downregulated the expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) and CCAAT enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBP-α) in both liver tissue and epididymal adipose tissue. Taken altogether, this study reveals that LF-CQPC05 can effectively inhibit high-fat diet-induced obesity. Its anti-obesity effect is comparable to that of l-carnitine, and is superior to that of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, a common strain used in the dairy industry. Therefore, LF-CQPC05 is a high-quality microbial strain with probiotic potential.

Fucoxanthin (FX), a marine carotenoid found in macroalgae and microalgae, exhibits several beneficial effects to health. The anti-obesity activity of FX is well documented, but FX has not been mass-produced or applied extensively or commercially because of limited availability of raw materials and complex extraction techniques. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effect of standardized FX powder (Phaeodactylum extract (PE)) developed from microalga Phaeodactylum tricornutum as a commercial functional food. The effects of PE on adipogenesis inhibition in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and anti-obesity in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6J mice were evaluated. PE and FX dose-dependently decreased intracellular lipid contents in adipocytes without cytotoxicity. In HFD-fed obese mice, PE supplementation for six weeks decreased body weight, organ weight, and adipocyte size. In the serum parameter analysis, the PE-treated groups showed attenuation of lipid metabolism dysfunction and liver damage induced by HFD. In the liver, uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) upregulation and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) downregulation were detected in the PE-treated groups. Additionally, micro computed tomography revealed lower fat accumulation in PE-treated groups compared to that in the HFD group. These results indicate that PE exerts anti-obesity effects by inhibiting adipocytic lipogenesis, inducing fat mass reduction and decreasing intracellular lipid content, adipocyte size, and adipose weight.

The inhibitory activity and binding characteristics of caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, quercetin and capsaicin, four phenolic compounds found in hot pepper, against porcine pancreatic lipase activity were studied and compared to hot pepper extract. Quercetin was the strongest inhibitor (IC50=(6.1±2.4) μM), followed by p-coumaric acid ((170.2±20.6) μM) and caffeic acid ((401.5±32.1) μM), while capsaicin and a hot pepper extract had very low inhibitory activity. All polyphenolic compounds showed a mixed-type inhibition. Fluorescence spectroscopy studies showed that polyphenolic compounds had the ability to quench the intrinsic fluorescence of pancreatic lipase by a static mechanism. The sequence of Stern-Volmer constant was quercetin, followed by caffeic and p-coumaric acids. Molecular docking studies showed that caffeic acid, quercetin and p-coumaric acid bound near the active site, while capsaicin bound far away from the active site. Hydrogen bonds and π-stacking hydrophobic interactions are the main pancreatic lipase-polyphenolic compound interactions observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seaweed, a popular and abundant food ingredient mainly consumed in Asian countries, is a good source of bioactive compounds with anti-obesity effects. However, the anti-obesity effects of Sargassum thunbergii have not yet been established. In this study, we isolated six indole derivatives (STCs)—indole-2-carboxaldehyde (STC-1), indole-3-carboxaldehyde (STC-2), indole-4-carboxaldehyde (STC-3), indole-5-carboxaldehyde (STC-4), indole-6-carboxaldehyde (STC-5), and indole-7-carboxaldehyde (STC-6)—from S. thunbergii and evaluated their inhibitory effects on adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells. We found that STC-1 and STC-5 resulted in non-toxic inhibition of the differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and thus selected these compounds for further study. STC-1 and STC-5 significantly inhibited lipid accumulation and downregulated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBPα), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) in a dose-dependent manner. The specific mechanism mediating the effects of STC-1 and STC-5 was shown to be AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. Our results demonstrated the inhibitory effect of STC-1 and STC-5 on adipogenesis through the activation of the AMPK signal pathway. Together, these findings suggested that STC-1 and STC-5 may be effective candidates for the prevention of obesity or obesity-related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanism of functional insect glycosaminoglycan (GAG) on obesity caused a high fat diet has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, insect glycosaminoglycans derived from Isaria sinclairii, Bombus ignitus (a type of bumblebee) queen, and Gryllus bimaculatus were purified and investigated as a potential functional food. 14-week old male Wistar rats were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks. There were five groups that received daily intraperitoneal administration of phosphate buffered saline (PBS, control), GbG (GAG from Gryllus bimaculatus) 10 mg/kg, ISG (GAG from Isaria sinclairii) 10 mg/kg, IQG (GAG from Bombus ignites) 10 mg/kg, or Pravastatin (2 mg/kg). All treatments were performed for one month. IQG produced a potential anti-inflammatory effect with the inhibition of c-reactive protein and sero-biochemical parameters of phospholipids and free fatty acids indicative of an anti-hyperlipidemic effect. Abdominal and epididymidal fat weight were reduced in conjunction with a mild increase in body weight. The level of laminin in HMVEC-C cells or fibronectin in HFD rat hepatocytes was significantly affected by these GAG treatments, which regulated adipogenesis and adipocyte function. Compared to the control rats, IQG-treated rats displayed up-regulation of 87 genes (test:control ratio >2.0) including fatty acid synthase and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, with the down-regulation of 47 genes including the uridine diphosphate (UDP) glycosyltransferase 2 families, polypeptidase B, and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1. The data suggest that IQG could potentially prevent or treat fatty liver or hyperlipidemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Effects of caffeine would vary depending on timing of intake. • Caffeine at the begging of active period would inhibit weight by high-fat diet. • Caffeine at the begging of active period would enhance clock gene expression rhythms. • Caffeine at the begging of active period would suppress lipogenesis genes expression. The time-dependent effects of caffeine intake on physiological functions remain to be investigated, although various effects of caffeine on physiological functions have been document. Therefore, the present study investigated the optimal timing of caffeine intake to produce an efficient anti-obesity effect. We prepared a high-fat diet (HFD) or HFD supplemented with 0.03% caffeine (HFD-caf) and regulated twice-daily 8-hour time-restricted feeding. Male Institute of Cancer Research mice were divided into three groups: group fed HFD alone (control), group fed HFD-caf at the beginning of the active period (BF-caf), and group fed HFD-caf at the end of the active period (DN-caf). The BF-caf group (42.8 ± 1.5 g) showed lower body weight than the other groups (control, 49.7 ± 2.1 g; DN-caf, 47.1 ± 1.3 g), although the three groups showed similar HFD intake levels. Therefore, caffeine intake at the beginning of the active period suppressed HFD-induced body weight gain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]