Combined treatment with caffeic and ferulic acid from Baccharis uncinella C. DC. (Asteraceae) protects against metabolic syndrome in mice

Abstract

Fractionation of the EtOH extract from aerial parts of Baccharis uncinella C. DC. (Asteraceae) led to isolation of caffeic and ferulic acids, which were identified from spectroscopic and spectrometric evidence. These compounds exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and have been shown to be effective in the prevention/treatment of metabolic syndrome. This study investigated whether the combined treatment of caffeic and ferulic acids exhibits a more significant beneficial effect in a mouse model with metabolic syndrome. The combination treatment with caffeic and ferulic acids was tested for 60 days in C57 mice kept on a high-fat (40%) diet. The data obtained indicated that treatment with caffeic and ferulic acids prevented gain in body weight induced by the high-fat diet and improved hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia and hypertriglyceridemia. The expression of a number of metabolically relevant genes was affected in the liver of these animals, showing that caffeic and ferulic acid treatment results in increased cholesterol uptake and reduced hepatic triglyceride synthesis in the liver, which is a likely explanation for the prevention of hepatic steatosis. In conclusion, the combined treatment of caffeic and ferulic acids displayed major positive effects towards prevention of multiple aspects of the metabolic syndrome and liver steatosis in an obese mouse model.

Beverages Based on Second Quality Citrus Fruits and Maqui Berry, a Source of Bioactive (Poly)phenols: Sorting Out Urine Metabolites upon a Longitudinal Study

“…However, although sucralose was the sweetener providing the highest concentration (10.86 µg/mg of creatinine), the intake of stevia-sweetened drinks yielded the highest bioavailability in terms of percentage. This metabolite would be responsible, to some extent, for the biological benefits expected from the consumption ofmaqui-citrus beverages, especially because of its properties against metabolic syndrome [ 31 , 32 ]. Besides, the combination of this phenolic compound with caffeic acid (CA) has been reported as a promising therapy against multiple aspects of this syndrome, as well as against liver steatosis as recently defined through an overweight mouse model [ 32 ].…”

Caffeic Acid on Metabolic Syndrome: A Review

“…CA was found able to reduce the levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress markers in the liver after a HFD obese induction [ 72 ]. Besides CA’s ability to revert dyslipidemia by reducing TG and TC, studies have shown that CA was able to revert hepatic steatosis in the long run [ 49 , 73 , 74 , 75 ]. In a recent in vivo study, a 12 week CA supplementation on HFD obese mice revealed that CA was able to reduce body weight and fat accumulation together with readings of improved lipid profile with an increased HDL [ 56 ].…”

Caffeic acid rich Citrus macroptera peel powder supplementation prevented oxidative stress, fibrosis and hepatic damage in CCl4 treated rats

“…Caffeic acid was found in high amount compared to other phenolic compounds in Citrus macroptera peel which is a strong antioxidant compound [11]. Caffeic acid also showed hepatic protection and prevented fibrosis in various experimental animal models [12][13][14]. This hepatoprotective activity of caffeic acid is linked to improved antioxidant defense and inflammatory state in liver [11,15].…”