Amelioration of Mugwort on the Obesity and Dyslipidemia Induced by High-Fat Diet

Abstract

Anti-obesity effects of Mugwort were evaluated in high fat diet-induced obesity mice models through determining physical changes and gene expression levels. High fat diet (HFD) models fed with 1% or 3% Mugwort had significantly lower body weight gain and food intake than HFD group (p<0.05). Especially, body weight gain and food intake of 3% Mugwort fed groups significantly decreased by 48.5% and 25.8%, respectively, compared to HFD group. In addition, parameters in plasma including LDL levels, concentration of plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol as well as histological changes in the liver were reduced in Mugwort supplemented groups compared to the HFD. Addition of Mugwort decreased the gene expression levels of epididymal adipose tissue genes including ACC, GPDH, and PPARγ. Therefore, Mugwort supplementation may participate in regulating plasma and hepatic steatosis as well as down-regulating adipogenic target gene expression.