Acarbose versus trans-chalcone: comparing the effect of two glycosidase inhibitors on obese mice

Abstract

Objective: Acarbose and trans-chalcone are glucosidase inhibitors whose beneficial effects have been demonstrated in diabetes. The present study aimed at investigating their potential effects in obesity. Materials and methods: NMRI male mice (n = 48) were subjected to a high fat diet for four weeks, which induced an initial state of obesity. One control group was given normal rodent diet. Obese animals were then switched to normal rodent diet, and divided to four groups (n = 12 in each): untreated, sham (receiving grape seed oil), and experimental groups receiving acarbose and trans-chalcone (12 mg/kg) during eight weeks. Body weight, blood glucose and other biochemical parameters including triglycerides (TG), cholesterol, HDL, AST, and ALT were measured, as well as leptin, adiponectin, TNF-α, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Histological studies were performed on adipose cells and liver tissue samples. Results: All factors were affected in a positive manner by acarbose, save for body weight, blood sugar and leptin levels, on which acarbose effects, although observable, were not statistically significant. Grape seed oil, used as a solvent for trans-chalcone was found to possess significant effect on TG and TAC, and had beneficial effects on other factors including liver enzymes and cholesterol. Trans-chalcone effects were significant on HDL, leptin and ALT. All compounds seemed to be able to affect fat deposition in liver tissue, and decrease the size of adipose tissue cells to some extent. Conclusion: In conclusion, the tested compounds were able to affect lipid accumulation in tissues and influence adipokines, which may result in an enhanced state with regard to inflammation and oxidative stress. Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2015;59(3):202-9

Modeling and simulation in medical sciences: an overview of specific applications based on research experience in EMRI (Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute of Tehran University of Medical Sciences)

“…During in vitro experiments, with the use of pancreatic alpha-amylase, and based on the fact that the natural compounds flavonoids were known as amylase inhibitors [22], we found trans-chalcone (flavonoids precursor) to be an inhibitor of pancreatic amylase [23]. Further experiments showed it to be also effective in vivo, on a rodent diabetic model [24] and in a mice model of fatty-liver, where the compound was able to modulate lipid profile, leptin, and glucose levels, as well as improving liver steatosis [25]; these results were comparable to what we had seen in a mice model of obesity [26]. Trans-chalcone is actually considered as a potent scaffold, whose numerous derivatives span a wide range of therapeutic properties [27,28].…”

Trans-Chalcone Attenuates Pain and Inflammation in Experimental Acute Gout Arthritis in Mice

“…or vehicle (Tween 80 20% plus saline) 30 min before intra-articular stimulus with MSU (100 μg/10μL, i.a.). trans -Chalcone (at 95% purity was purchased from Santa Cruz Biotechnology, #CAS 614-47-1, Dallas, TX, United States) dose range was selected upon the doses previously used in the literature ( Lamoke et al, 2011 ; Jalalvand et al, 2015 ; Singh et al, 2016 ; Karimi-Sales et al, 2018 ). The negative control of stimulus received only intraarticular injection of 10 μl of saline.…”

Metabolic Impact of Flavonoids Consumption in Obesity: From Central to Peripheral

“…In a mouse model of HFD-induced obesity, trans -chalcone reduced the ALT levels and increased the HDL [ 394 ]. Similarly, in a mouse model of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis KK-Ay mice, xanthohumol, the chalcone from beer hops ( Humulus lupulus L.), diminished hepatic inflammation and prevented from the expression of profibrogenic genes in the liver [ 395 ] as well as lowered hepatic fatty acid synthesis through the downregulation of Srebp1c expression and promoted FAO by upregulating the mRNA expression of Pparα in KK-Ay mice [ 396 ].…”