Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma) plays an essential role in lipid and glucose homeostasis. It is recognized as the receptor of the thiazolidinediones-a synthetic class of anti-diabetic drugs-and is the target of many drug discovery efforts because of its role in disease states, such as type II diabetes mellitus. In this study, structure-based virtual screening of the PPAR-gamma ligand binding domain against a natural product library has revealed 29 potential agonists. In vitro testing of this list identified six flavonoids to have stimulated PPAR-gamma transcriptional activity in a transcriptional factor assay. Of these, flavonoid-psi-baptigenin-was classed as the most potent PPAR-gamma agonist, possessing low micromolar affinity (EC(50) = 2.9 microM). Further in vitro testing using quantitative RT-PCR and immunoblotting experiments demonstrated that psi-baptigenin activated PPAR-gamma mRNA (4.1 +/- 0.2-fold) and protein levels (2.9 +/- 0.4-fold) in THP-1 macrophages. Moreover, psi-baptigenin's-induced PPAR-gamma enhancement was abolished in the presence of a selective PPAR-gamma antagonist, GW9662. Induced-fit docking investigations provide a detailed understanding on the ligands' mechanism of action, suggesting five of the active flavonoids induce significant conformational change in the receptor upon binding. Overall, these results offer insight into various naturally derived flavonoids as leads/templates for development of novel PPAR-gamma ligands.

Design, synthesis, and in vitro bioevaluation of a new class of potential dual PPARalpha and gamma agonists discovered through a structure-driven design paradigm are described. The 7-hydroxy-benzopyran-4-one moiety (includes flavones, flavanones, and isoflavones) is the key pharmacophore of these novel molecules, exhibiting similarity to the core structure of both fibrates and thiazolidinediones. New lead PPAR ligands were identified from "natraceuticals" and synthetic analogues. In total, 77 molecules, including chalcones, flavones, flavanones, isoflavones, and pyrazole derivatives, were screened and structure-activity relationship studies of the dual agonists undertaken. Compounds 68, 70, 72, and 76 were identified as novel and potent dual PPARalpha and gamma agonists. These novel molecules may have the potential to be the future leads in PPAR-related disorders, including type II diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome.

Zingiber officinale has been used to control lipid disorders and reported to possess remarkable cholesterol-lowering activity in experimental hyperlipidaemia. In the present study, the effect of a characterized and standardized extract of Zingiber officinale on the hepatic lipid levels as well as on the hepatic mRNA and protein expression of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase was investigated in a high-fat diet-fed rat model. Rats were treated with an ethanol extract of Zingiber officinale (400 mg ⁄ kg) extract along with a high-fat diet for 6 weeks. The extract of Zingiber officinale significantly decreased hepatic triglyceride and tended to decrease hepatic cholesterol levels when administered over 6 weeks to the rats fed a high-fat diet. We found that in parallel, the extract up-regulated both LDL receptor mRNA and protein level and down-regulated HMG-CoA reductase protein expression in the liver of these rats. The metabolic control of body lipid homeostasis is in part due to enhanced cholesterol biosynthesis and reduced expression of LDL receptor sites following long-term consumption of high-fat diets. The present results show restoration of transcriptional and post-transcriptional changes in low-density lipoprotein and HMG CoA reductase by Zingiber officinale administration with a high-fat diet and provide a rational explanation for the effect of ginger in the treatment of hyperlipidaemia.Although cholesterol is an essential component of mammalian cell membranes, excess cellular and circulating cholesterol is detrimental and contributes to several life-threatening diseases, including atherosclerotic and coronary artery cardiovascular disease [1,2]. Cellular cholesterol homeostasis is maintained primarily through regulation of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, which respectively affect the uptake and endogenous synthesis of cholesterol in the liver [3][4][5]. A large number of studies have elucidated the role of these regulatory mechanisms in vitro, in experimental animals and in humans treated with experimental diets or drugs [6][7][8]. Recent studies have also shown a regulatory effect of various phyto-ingredients on potential targets controlling in vivo cholesterol homeostasis in animal models treated with atherogenic diets [9][10][11].Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Family: Zingiberaceae) commonly known as 'ginger', is a well-known food spice which has also been used traditionally in a wide variety of ailments [12,13]. The major chemical constituents of ginger rhizome are essential volatile oils and non-volatile pungent compounds [14,15]. The volatile oil components consist mainly of various terpenoids. The non-volatile compounds include the gingerols, shogaols, paradols and zingerone. Among them, the gingerols and shogaols were identified as the major bioactive constituents of ginger, found respectively in fresh and dried ginger [16].In laboratory experiments, e...