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Introduction: Obesity has become a pandemic chronic disease. The main principle of obesity treatment is to regulate energy balance by reducing energy intake and increasing energy expenditure. These target mechanisms have become the point of attention in herbal medicine studies. Several molecular mechanisms of actions possessed by Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MLE) have been studied in many experimental research works. Objective: In this mini-review, we encompass the mechanisms of MLE in demonstrating the antiobesity activity, including the potential involvement of YAP/TAZ activity. Methods: Several major electronic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus, were used in selecting articles from the period between August 2011 and August 2020. Results: From 18 established pieces of literature, we demonstrated the anti-obesity activity of MLE in detail. Several citations accompanied the results of these researched-based studies to explain and illustrate the molecular mechanisms, including YAP/TAZ signaling pathway. Conclusion: MLE, through its phytochemistry contents, shows significant benefits in herbal medicine, especially the anti-obesity activity. MLE potentially contributes to modify the lipid metabolism in YAP/TAZ pathway. However, the study demonstrating this involvement has still not published. In the future, more exploration may provide hope for its efficacy and safety as the therapeutic agent of obesity.

As a dark tea, Pu-erh tea(PET) is produced from sun-dried leaves of Camellia sinensis var. assamica mainly in Yunnan Province of China. Many microorganisms are involved in the fermentation of PET. Among them, Aspergillus niger is most important. It is ...

Obesity is a global health problem. In the past decades, the prevalence rate of obesity has risen sharply in epidemiology. Obesity has become an increasingly severe epidemic burden linked with diff...

Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), a derivative of citric acid, is one of the promising food components with reported anti-obesity properties. HCA is currently extracted only from its principal source, Garcinia cambogia, which is not readily available in the country. Herewith, the study aims to identify potential sources of HCA among local underutilized fruits to increase their current commercial use. A total of twenty underutilized fruits generally rich in citric acid were screened via histochemical staining to detect the presence of HCA. Those samples that produced the characteristic reddish orange colour complexes indicative of HCA have undergone further experiments including extraction (via water extraction method), quantification (via spectrophotometry), and identity validation (via thin layer chromatography) to determine the actual HCA sources. Out of the 20 local fruits tested, HCA was found only from Tamarindus indica L. (tamarind) flesh at 3.731±0.046 g HCA/100 g fresh weight and from Garcinia binucao (batuan) flesh and seeds at 3.447±0.059 g HCA/100 g fresh weight and 1.241±0.009 g HCA/100 g fresh weight, respectively. Meanwhile, most of the other fruits tested were found to contain merely citric acid. This study could bring new ways in utilizing batuan and tamarind fruits as functional ingredients in nutraceuticals and value-added products, thereby increasing its current health and economic significance.

Background: Aloe Vera, a medicinal herb, has been used for centuries in therapeutics and cosmetology. Objective: To compare Antiobesity effects of Aloe Vera whole leaf with new antidiabetic drug, Sitagliptin on streptozotcin induced diabetic rats. Study Design: Randomized Control Trial. Settings: Department of Pharmacology, Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi in collaboration with NIH, Islamabad, Pakistan. Duration: One year from September 2019 to August 2020. Methodology: Young Sprague Dawley rats, n=40, weighing 220-250 grams were taken and randomly divided into Groups A and B. Group B was fed on high fat diet for two weeks to develop insulin resistance. After induction of diabetes, with low dose streptozotocin, Group B was subdivided into: GroupB1 (Diabetic Control), Group B2 (Aloe Vera whole Leaf treated), Group B3 (Sitagliptin treated). Body weight was measured in all rats every week to assess progress of study, and finally on completion of study (on Day 60). SPSS version 25 was applied for statistical analysis. One-way ANOVA test was used for assessing any difference in the mean values. Post-hoc Turkey analysis was done to compare inter-group mean differences. P value of

Background: Increased lipase activity can increase the amount of monoglycerides and fatty acids absorbed by the body, this is what affects obesity. If pancreatic lipase activity is inhibited, the production of fatty acids will decrease, consequently the level of fat in the blood will also decrease. Objective: To study anti obesity potential of a single herb or a mixture of green tea and other herbs (Syzygium polyanthum. Lv, Artocarpus communis.Lv, Cinnamomum verum..Lv, Manilkara zapota.Lv, Tectona grandis.Lv) by the in vitro inhibition assay of the lipase enzyme activity Method : A single (8 herbs) or a mixture of three herbs powder (12 formulas) was put into a tea bag with a total weight of 1.5 g to be brewed in 100 mL bottled mineral water at 70⁰-90⁰C for 10 minutes. In vitro lipase enzyme inhibition assay were conducted to measure the ability of these samples as lipase inhibitor. Orlistat used as positive lipase inhibitor. Results : There wa s a difference results of lipase inhibition activity between the sample of a single and a mixture of herbs. I nterestingly, the results shows that formula 3 (mixture of green tea, Manilkara zapota and cinnamon) . has 53.942 % inhibition , formula 9 ( a mixture of green tea, Syzygium polyanthum and cinnamon) has 67.322 % inhibition and formula 12 ( a mixture of green tea, Tectona grandis and cinnamon) has 56.612 % inhibition which close to lipase inhibitory activity by standard Orlistat. Conclusion: The mixture of green tea and two other herbs has a lipase inhibitory activity similar to Orlistat , when compared to the single herb. The highest lipase inhibitory activity is found in formula 9 .

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anti-obesity activity of Cannabis sativa seed Flour (CSSF) on obese mice. Methods: The experiment process was carried out in 8 weeks. In this time, three groups of animals were adopted: High caloric diet control group (HCD), group treated with 100 mg/kg of CSSF, group treated with 200 mg/kg of CSSF, and normal diet control group (ND). Then, the histopathological and biochemical parameters analysis has been realized at the end of the experiment. Results: As a result, body weight gain, epididymal, and perirenal adipose tissue decreased in the CSSF (Cannabis sativa seed Flour) group in both doses (100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg) compared to the HCD. CSSF lowered serum glucose level elevated by HCD. For lipid profiles, total cholesterol (TC), HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides (TG) significantly decreased in the CSSF group. The histopathological results of this study showed a regenerative effect of CSSF on the kidney and liver tissues. Conclusion: It is concluded from the present study that CSSF can be used as a natural anti-obesity agent.

Ipomoea reptans Poir or kangkung is a popular leafy vegetable, a favorite to people in Asian countries. However, limited information is available on their bioactivities. In the present study, the antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-obesity potential of I. reptans leaves were investigated. Different fractions (ethanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane) of I. reptans leaves were evaluated for their scavenging activity on DPPH radicals, whereas their reducing potential was investigated by cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CuPRAC), total antioxidant, and reducing power assays. The antidiabetic potential was investigated by their inhibition effect on a-glucosidase. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of I. reptans leaves were solvent dependent. Ethyl acetate contained the highest phenolic content, followed by ethanol and hexane fractions. However, for flavonoid content, the order was ethanol > ethyl acetate > hexane. All fractions showed DPPH scavenging activity in a concentration-dependent manner, with activities weaker than standards ascorbic acid and BHT, in the order of ethanol > ethyl acetate > hexane. All fractions showed reducing capacity, but only hexane and ethanol fractions of I. reptans leaves showed inhibition on a-glucosidase, with hexane showed more potent inhibition compared to acarbose. The study also found that fractions of I. reptans inhibit lipase and trypsin, enzymes related to lipid metabolism. Findings in this study offer a prospect for I. reptans leaves as a functional food source for antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-obesity purposes.

Obesity is one of the most prevalent health concerns among all age groups & populations worldwide, resulting into a significant increase in mortality and morbidity related to metabolic disorders. Targeting one or more enzymes involved in lipid metabolism can be selective for evaluation of anti obesity action of drug. The present study was aimed to evaluate in vitro anti obesity action by inhibiting pancreatic lipase & ᾳ amylase enzyme by various fractions of methanolic extract of aerial parts Fagonia cretica L. along with their phytochemical analysis. The n- hexane (HFFC), Chloroform (CFFC), Ethyl acetate (EAFFC), n-butanol (BFFC) & aqueous fractions (AQFFC) were prepared from methanolic extracts of F. cretica L & were analyzed for qualitative as well as quantitative phytochemical study using reported methods. The qualitative phytochemical studies of prepared extract & fractions showed presence of flavonoids, saponins, phenolics, alkaloids & carbohydrates. All the fractions were then examined for their in-vitro lipase inhibitory & ᾳ amylase inhibitory activities at a concentration level of 50, 100, 150 & 200µg/ml and their percentage inhibitory effects were reported. Among the analyzed samples, BFFC showed highest lipase inhibitory action i.e. 83.02 ± 2.47% as compared to other fractions. EAFFC showed significantly higher ᾳ amylase inhibitory action i.e. 80.22 ± 1.18% as compared to other fractions.

Objective: To evaluate anti-obesity effect of aqueous P. nigrum extract in a murine model of high-fat diet (HFD) induced obesity. Methods: Male Wistar rats were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) (20g/day/rat) for a period of 50 d to induce obesity. Aqueous P. nigrum extract (20 mg/kg) administered orally to high-fat diet (HFD) fed rats from 8th day to 50th day (total 42 d). The parameters like gain in body weight, serum lipids, insulin and leptin were measured. Results: The rats treated with extract showed a significant reduction in body weight gain, serum insulin, leptin, lipids as compared to rats fed with only a high-fat diet (HFD). In addition, the extract-treated group showed a considerable rise in high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) level (29.61±7.68 mg/dl) as compared to the control group (23.23±9.69 mg/dl). Conclusion: The results indicate that aqueous P. nigrum extract possess the potential to reduce obesity markers in a high-fat diet (HFD) fed rats.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) refers to a class of positional and geometrical isomers of linoleic acid (cis-9, cis-12 octadecadienoic acid) having conjugate double bond system. CLA are synthesized in rumen of the ruminants by biohydrogenation of dietary fatty acids; and thus, can be obtained from dairy products as well as from the meat of sheep, lamb and other ruminants. Among the several isomers, c9, t11-CLA isomer is the most biologically active form and accounts approximately 80% of total isomers. A number of clinical and epidemiological studies have demonstrated the role of CLA as anti-atherogenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-carcinogenic, etc. Several researchers have suggested the positive association of CLA in weight management, hypercholesterolemia, immunomodulatory functions, and improved bone metabolism.

Background: Obesity is associated with serious health risks, including premature mortality. This study investigated the anti-obesity effects of individual or combination treatment with Spirulina pl...

Tea polyphenols (TP) are the main components in tea. Studies in vitro have shown they have significant biological activity; however, the results are inconsistent with experiments in vivo. For the low bioavailability, most TP are thought to remain in the gut and metabolized by intestinal bacteria. In the gut, the unabsorbed TP are metabolized to a variety of derivative products by intestinal flora, which may accumulate to exert beneficial effects. Numerous studies have shown that TP can inhibit obesity and its related metabolism disorders effectively. Meanwhile, it has demonstrated that TP and their derivatives may modulate intestinal micro-ecology. The understanding of the interaction between TP and intestinal microbiota will allow us to better evaluate the contribution of microbial metabolites of TP to anti-obesity activity. This review showed implications for the use of TP as functional food with potential therapeutic utility against obesity by modulating intestinal microbiota, contributing to the improvement of human health. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry.

In the present study, we investigated a saponin-enriched fraction from Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract (GPE) and isolated gypenoside L (GL), gypenoside LI (GLI), and ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3). To explore the anti-obesity activities of these compounds, we investigated the effects of GL, GLI, and Rg3 on glucose uptake and activation of AMPK in L6 skeletal muscle cells. GPE, GL, GLI, and Rg3 markedly increased glucose uptake activity and GLUT4 gene expression in L6 myotubes. The enhanced glucose uptake was mediated by the activation of the AMPK-ACC signaling pathway. In addition, we observed that GPE, GL, GLI, and Rg3 increased the expression of SIRT1 and PPARγ coacvtivator-1α (PGC-1α). Our results suggest the potential use of Gynostemma pentaphyllum in developing a therapeutic agent to reduce body weight and prevent diet-related diseases via glucose uptake and AMPK activation.

Polysaccharides from marine algae exhibit beneficial biological activities. In this study, we examined the effect of polysaccharides from Codium fragile (PCF) on prebiotic and anti-obesity activity. PCF increases the growth of specific beneficial microbial populations with concomitant decrease in pathogenic microbes. Further, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and DPPH radical scavenging activity (DPPH activity) after fermentation with PCF as carbon source were higher than for the glucose as control. Moreover, PCF inhibited adipocyte differentiation by inducing differentiation-related factors when the induction of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into adipocytes was induced. Therefore, we suggest that PCF can be used as prebiotic material with anti-obesity for human health.

Fat reduction and anti-inflammation are commonly claimed properties of probiotics. Lactobacillus plantarum and Enterococcus faecium were tested in high fat-induced obesity mice and in vitro experiments. After 16 weeks of probiotics, L. plantarum outperforms E. faecium on the anti-obesity property as indicated by body weight, regional fat accumulation, serum cholesterol, inflammatory cytokines (in blood and colon tissue), and gut barrier defect (FITC-dextran assay). With fecal microbiome analysis, L. plantarum but not E. faecium reduced fecal abundance of pathogenic Proteobacteria without an alteration in total Gram-negative bacteria when compared with non-probiotics obese mice. With palmitic acid induction, the condition media from both probiotics similarly attenuated supernatant IL-8, improved enterocyte integrity and down-regulated cholesterol absorption-associated genes in Caco-2 cell (an enterocyte cell line) and reduced supernatant cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) with normalization of cell energy status (extracellular flux analysis) in bone-marrow-derived macrophages. Because the anti-inflammatory effect of the condition media of both probiotics on palmitic acid-activated enterocytes was neutralized by amylase, the active anti-inflammatory molecules might, partly, be exopolysaccharides. As L. plantarum out-performed E. faecium in anti-obesity property, possibly through the reduced fecal Proteobacteria, with a similar anti-inflammatory exopolysaccharide; L. plantarum is a potentially better option for anti-obesity than E. faecium.

Obesity poses a major threat to global health, challenging the prevention of chronic diseases and health across the world. As synthetic medicines have their side effects, lately, there has been an inclination towards herbal remedies. The present study was conducted to evaluate the individual and syngeristic effect of Linum usitatissimum (flax seeds), Trigonella foenum graecum (fenugreek seeds) and Nigella sativa (black seeds) on obesity. In-vivo studies were performed in Drosophila as many tissues and organs related to obesity and its associated disorders are analogous in Drosophila and humans. Obesity was induced by supplementing lipid and high concentration of glucose in the media. The effect of the seeds on obesity was studied by quantitative estimation of lipid content and carbohydrate content in the larvae grown in different media preparations and also by assessment of physical activity of the flies. The study revealed the efficient ability of the seeds to reduce obesity, synergistically as well as individually proving it to be a potential strategy to combat the obesity naturally.

BackgroundResearches and publication discussing performance of medicinal plants as anti-obesity have proliferated in recent years. In the view of ethnopharmacology, empiric evidence of Indonesian medicinal plants in management of obesity is widely accepted. In attempt to find anti-obesity agent, it is evidenced that the disorder can be resolved through inhibition of pancreatic lipase since the mechanism allowed to retard absorption of fat into cells. This current work aimed to screen Indonesian medicinal plants by using ethnopharmacology and meta-analysis approaches, emphasizing their ability to deal with obesity via pancreatic lipase inhibition. MethodsThe study followed two stages, i.e. systematic review and meta-analysis. Data from 6 scientific (Scopus, Science Direct, Proquest, Ebsco, Cengage Library and Emerald) were collected, screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The eligibility of the trials was determined according to criteria as follows: (1) design for lipase inhibition experiments; (2) population in all researches using in vitro protocols for antiobesity in last 10 years; (3) intervention for comparison between lipase inhibition IC50 properties of selected medicinal plants and orlistat; and (4) data adequacy enabling to estimate the standardized mean difference (SMD) and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI). Further, all published papers we reviewed were written in English. Furthermore, steps of meta-analysis were performed on the selected data. Extraction of data in these articles collected number of samples, average values and standard deviation of IC50. The values focused on IC50 of samples in inhibiting lipase activities performed by plant extracts and orlistat as control. ResultA total 10 selected data meet the inclusion criteria. Morever these plant can be found and common as traditional medicine plant in Indonesia ConclusionAs the results, there were top 10 anti-obesity medicinal plants as follows: i.e. kelor (Moringa oleifera) leaves, kemangi (Ocimum basilicum) leaves, asam jawa (Tamarindus indica) leaves, asam gelugur (Garcinia atroviridis) fruit, lengkuas (Alpinia galanga) rhizome, and kencur (Kaempferia galanga) rhizome, kumis kucing (Orthosipon aristatus) leaves, jambu biji leaves (Psidium guajava leavaes), serai wangi (Cymbopogon nardus) and kayu secang (Caesalpinia sappan).

The present study investigated the synergic effect of extracts of Morus alba (MA) and Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) (AR) against high-fat diet induced obesity. Four-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups that were fed for 14 weeks with a normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HD), HD with M. alba 400 mg/kg body weight (MA), HD with A. melanocarpa 400 mg/kg body weight (AR), or HD with a mixture (1:1, v/v) of M. alba and A. melanocarpa (400 mg/kg) (MA + AR). Treatment with MA, AR, and MA + AR for 14 weeks reduced high fat diet-induced weight gain and improved serum lipid levels, and histological analysis revealed that MA and AR treatment markedly decreased lipid accumulation in the liver and adipocyte size in epididymal fat. Furthermore, micro-CT images showed MA + AR significantly reduced abdominal fat volume. Expression levels of genes involved in lipid anabolism, such as SREBP-1c, PPAR-γ, CEBPα, FAS, and CD36 were decreased by MA + AR treatment whereas PPAR-α, ACOX1, and CPT-1a levels were increased by MA + AR treatment. Protein expression of p-AMPK and p-ACC were increased in the MA + AR group, indicating that MA + AR ameliorated obesity by upregulating AMPK signaling. Together, our findings indicate that MA and AR exert a synergistic effect against diet-induced obesity and are promising agents for managing obesity.

The link between gut microbiota and obesity or other metabolic syndromes is growing increasingly clear. Natural products are appreciated for their beneficial health effects in humans. Increasing investigations demonstrated that the anti-obesity bioactivities of many natural products are gut microbiota dependent. In this review, we summarized the current knowledge on anti-obesity natural products acting through gut microbiota according to their chemical structures and signaling metabolites. Manipulation of the gut microbiota by natural products may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy to prevent obesity.

Onion (Allium cepa L.) is a common vegetable, widely consumed all over the world. Onion contains diverse phytochemicals, including organosulfur compounds, phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, and saponins. The phenolic and sulfur-containing compounds, including onionin A, cysteine sulfoxides, quercetin, and quercetin glucosides, are the major bioactive constituents of onion. Accumulated studies have revealed that onion and its bioactive compounds possess various health functions, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-diabetic, anticancer, cardiovascular protective, neuroprotective, hepatorenal protective, respiratory protective, digestive system protective, reproductive protective, and immunomodulatory properties. Herein, the main bioactive compounds in onion are summarized, followed by intensively discussing its major health functions as well as relevant molecular mechanisms. Moreover, the potential safety concerns about onion contamination and the ways to mitigate these issues are also discussed. We hope that this paper can attract broader attention to onion and its bioactive compounds, which are promising ingredients in the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals for preventing and managing certain chronic diseases.

Introduction: Current health trends indicate that the rate of incidence of obesity has risen considerably. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report 2017, the issue of obesity has grown to an epidemic proportion, with over 4 million people dying every year. Orlistat, a potent pancreatic lipase (PL) inhibitor for long-term treatment of obesity has been recently reported to cause hepatic and renal toxicities. Hence, there is a need to develop newer, safer and efficacious therapeutics that targets obesity and its associated disorders.Areas covered: The present article attempts to review patents on compositions of natural origin that include either combination of two or more lead NPs/whole extract(s)/ mixture of one or more NPs/extracts from various plants and micro-organisms. Patents that were granted during the period 2010 to 2021 have been considered.Expert opinion: The article highlights the recent trends in the rise of the global obesity population. Patents are classified based on the mechanism of action of extracts/NPs. It has been observed that in the years 2013, 2017 and 2019 maximum number of patents from China, South Korea, United States and Japan have been filed for the anti-obesity compositions.

Background This study was planned to investigate the research trends related to naturally derived anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity components. The main purpose of this study was to find out and develop natural health cosmetic ingredients which has high effects on lipid degradation, moisturizing and elasticity enhancement. Objective We all hope this research provided systematic and practical data that can suggest an opportunity to further develop new products. Methods This is a descriptive research which classified the natural and traditional components that have important obesity management effects based on the experimental technique (in vitro and in vivo). we investigated the effects of 13 natural raw materials selected through preliminary investigation on lipid metabolism related enzyme activity. We first introduced Ainsliaea acerifolea, Onion, pear, Sanguisorba, Limonium tetragonum, Cornus walteri, Loquat, and Loquat-which have recently been shown to be effective in anti-obesity tests, and then described the research methods by showing the effects of onion extracts, Glasswort, Pine Cone (Korean white pine), Orostachys japonicus, African mangoes, Pepper, and Clathratum (sea weed), which actually had effects on anti-obesity in the in vivo experiment. Results As a result of investigating the effect of 13 natural raw materials selected through a preliminary investigation on lipid metabolism related enzyme activity, the study found nature-derived ingredients which induce anti-inflammatory and enhance the anti-obesity enzyme activity, and ingredients showing myriads of biological activities such as anti-oxidant, body fat reduction, lowering of blood cholesterol, and weight control. Conclusion In this paper, we would like to delve into the possibility of using natural components with natural lipid-lowering effect, and systematically and practically study if they can actually be helpful to develop new cosmetic products.

Backgroud: Saussurea involucrata Kar. et Kir. (Compositae) (CCSauI) cells are rich in caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs), which have plasma lipid reducing properties and anti-obesity effects, although the mechanisms remain unclear. Clarify CQA’s anti-obesity mechanism and provide new treatments for obesity. Methods: Sprague Dawley (SD) rat were fed a high-fat diet (HFD), then CQAs was intragastric administrated (0.1, 0.5 or 1 mg/mL). Rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=30): NC, MC, TPL (0.1 mg/mL), TPM (0.5 mg/mL) and TPH (1 mg/mL). Digestive enzyme inhibition was obtained by measuring the inhibition rate of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and pancreatic lipase in vitro. Anti-obesity function was detected by determining the content of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), malondialdehyde (MDA) superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). To analyze the related mechanisms qRT-PCR was employed. Results: From in vitro enzyme activity assays, the IC50 values of the CQAs extract for α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and lipase were 0.631, 0.31, and 0.438 mg/mL, respectively. CQAs administration for 8 weeks decreased retroperitoneal fat and serum and liver TC, TG, LDL-C, and MDA. Comparatively, levels of HDL-C, SOD, and GSH-Px were increased. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR showed inhibited expression of fatty acid synthase and 3-hydroxy-3-methyl glutaryl and coenzyme A reductase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α activation, and 7α-hydroxylase promotion. Conclusion: This study explored the role of CQAs in inhibiting digestive enzyme activities and up-regulating the expression of lipase, significant for prevention and treatment of diabetes and obesity.

BackgroundBilateral ovariectomy is an experimental model used to analyze the conditions of menopause and develop strategies for alleviation of the deleterious effects during estrogen deficiency. Brown and beige adipocytes exert thermogenesis capacities and are promising therapeutic strategy for obesity. This study aims to investigate the adipose tissue browning potentials of antioxidant α-lipoic acid (ALA) and underlying mechanisms involved in ovariectomized (Ovx) rats.Methods:Eight weeks old female Wistar rats were randomly divided into Sham or Ovx groups. The Ovx rats were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy and administered with ALA 200 or ALA 300 mg/kg/day (gavage) for 8 weeks. Results:Ovx group significantly increased boy weight (BW) and fat pad mass as compared to Sham group, while ALA supplementation reversed these changes. Lipid profiles including serum triglycerides (TG), total (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were significantly elevated in the Ovx group, whereas the ALA treatment showed a significant decrease in these levels. Furthermore, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and myokine irisin secretion were increased by ALA as well. Morphology results showed ALA treatment reduced Ovx-induced adipocyte hypertrophy and enhanced UCP1 expression by immunohistochemical staining in inguinal WAT. Protein expression of brown fat-specific markers UCP1, PRDM16 and CIDEA was markedly reduced in Ovx rats, whereas ALA treatment reversed these changes. ALA significantly increased liver kinase B1 (LKB1) and phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the downstream acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) that were decreased by Ovx, suggesting the browning effects were mediated by AMPK signaling. Conclusions:ALA ameliorates obesity caused by hormone deprivation in menopause via conversion of white to beige adipocytes concomitant with the activation of AMPK signaling.

Red radish sprouts (RRS) (Raphanus sativus) are rich sources of health-promoting phytochemicals more than in its seeds. The present study aimed to evaluate the protection efficiency of red radish sprouts as hypocholesterolemic and antiobesity agents in adult females. Forty-five females with body mass index (BMI) ≥28 and aged between 25 and 40 years were randomly divided into three groups each one containing 15 females; RRS group and the controls. G1 (the first control) consumed their usual diet, while the second control group includes participants who were subjected to a low-calorie diet individually. The third group includes participants who were subjected to a low-calorie diet with RRS (100 g per day). Participants were initially submitted to anthropometric measurements (weight, body fat %, height, waist circumference, and mid-upper arm circumference ), and blood samples for analysis of serum glucose, lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, and triglycerides) AST, ALT and TSH levels, total protein, and serum albumin. Then the groups started the intervention protocol lasting 8 weeks. After an 8-week follow-up period, the study results showed that the consumption of RRS significantly (P ≤ 0.05) suppressed the elevations in body weight (~12 %), serum cholesterol (~27.5 % reduction), serum triglycerides (~33 % reduction), AST and ALT (~35 and 21 % reduction respectively) and glucose (~7 % reduction). This work reveals, for the first time, the hypolipidemic and antiobesity potential role of RRS in adult females.

Salvia plants belong to the Lamiaceae family and are recognized as being strongly aromatic, being widely used for different purposes in culinary or traditional medicine. These plants are well recognized as being rich in phenolic acids, flavonoids and terpenic compounds, which exhibit health-beneficial activities, protecting against oxidative and inflammatory-related diseases, such as diabetes and obesity. Because of these properties, phytochemicals from Salvia species have been investigated as health promoting agents, for application in distinct fields. However, the growing demand for natural products with possible uses and applications in industry requires scientific validation studies. This review consists of a compilation of relevant studies with an emphasis on the antioxidant, antidiabetic and anti-obesity properties of phenolic-rich extracts from Salvia plants. The Science and Technology Foundation/Ministry of Education and Science (FCT/MEC) funded the Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry (LAQV) of the Network of Chemistry and Technology (REQUIMTE) (UIDB/50006/2020) and CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020), through national funds and, where applicable, co-financed by FEDER, Portugal 2020. Project PTDC/BAA-AGR/ 31015/2017 (Algaphlor) financed the research contract of Susana M. Cardoso. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

International audience; Several edible and medicinal Agaricomycetes mushrooms possess biologically active compounds with different therapeutic effects, such as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, hypocholesterolemic, hypoglycemic, anti-hypertensive, fibrinolytic, thrombolytic, potentially used as cardioprotective remedies. Previous studies have shown that mushrooms possessing cardioprotective effect (CPE) contain a high amount of vitamins and minerals, low contents of fat which makes them applicable as supplementary dietary and functional food for prevention and treatment of a variety of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The current review is directed to the evaluation of resource value of 31 edible and non-edible medicinal Agaricomycetes mushrooms with potential CPE growing in the territory of Armenia and discusses the future perspectives of their usage in biotechnology and biomedicine.

Chemical investigation of the aerial parts of Ammania aegyptiaca ethanol extract (AEEE) revealed significant high concentrations of polyphenols and flavonoids content with notable antioxidant activity in DPPH, ORAC, and reducing power assay. New acylated diglucoside flavonol myricetin 3-O-β-4­C1-(6"-O-galloyl glucopyranoside) 7-O-β-4C1-glucopyranoside (MGGG) was isolated from aerial parts of AEEE along with four additional known phenolics, not characterized previously from AEEE. Moreover, powerful inhibitory effects of MGGG, AEEE, and all isolates against α-amylase, pancreatic lipase and β-glucosidase, were assessed. In addition, flexible molecular docking was used to reveal the inhibition towards digestive enzymes and confirmed that the MGGG interacted strongly with the active site residues of these enzymes with the highest binding free energy against β-glucosidase (DG=-8.98 kcal/mol) compared to the commercial drug Acarbose, thus justifying its dual management of diabetes and obesity. In streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats, AEEE significantly decreased high serum glucose, α-amylase activity, liver and kidney function markers and increased insulin level. Moreover, it improved lipid profile due to diabetes with increased SOD activity and inhibited of TBARS formation. Consequently, AEEE and MGGG are found useful in controlling the secondary complications associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Histopathological studies proved the decrease in the pancreas damage and agreed with the biochemical findings. These results provide evidence that AEEE and MGGG have potent antidiabetic activity, which warrants additional investigations.

Network pharmacology is considered as the next paradigm in drug discovery. In an era when obesity has become global epidemic, network pharmacology becomes an ideal tool to discover novel herbal-based therapeutics with effective anti-obesity effects. Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim (ZBM) is a medicinal herb. The mature pericarp of ZBM is used for disease treatments and as spice for cooking. Here, we used the network pharmacology approach to investigate whether ZBM possesses anti-obesity effects and reveal the underlying mechanism of action. We first built up drug–ingredient–gene symbol–disease network and protein–protein interaction network of the ZBM-related obesity targets, followed by Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses. The results highlight apoptosis as a promising signaling pathway that mediates the anti-obesity effects of ZBM. Molecular docking also reveals quercetin, a compound in ZBM has the highest degree of connections in the compound-target network and has direct bindings with the apoptotic markers. Furthermore, the apoptotic effects of ZBM are further validated in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and in the high-fat diet–induced obesity mouse model. These findings not only suggest ZBM can be developed as potential anti-obesity therapeutics but also demonstrate the application of network pharmacology for the discovery of herbal-based therapeutics for disease treatments.