Anti-Obesity Effects of Morus alba L. and Aronia melanocarpa in a High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese C57BL/6J Mouse Model

Abstract

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.

Anti-Obesity and Anti-Dyslipidemic Effects of Salicornia arabica Decocted Extract in Tunisian Psammomys obesus Fed a High-Calorie Diet

“…Recently, it was proved that phenolic compounds and phenolic extracts might contribute to reducing obesity and dyslipidemia by exerting different mechanisms. The main reported pathways of anti-obesity and dyslipidemic effects involving phenols are (i) enhancement of the in vivo antioxidant defense allowing protection of lipoprotein against oxidation and minimizing hepatic injury [ 13 , 14 ], (ii) inhibition of the key enzymes involved in carbohydrate (such as α-amylase) and fat metabolism (such as pancreatic lipase) which hamper the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates and fats in the small intestine [ 10 , 11 ], and (iii) decreasing of lipogenic adipogenic activities in liver and adipose tissues [ 1 , 9 , 44 , 69 ]. It was reported that gingerol [ 11 ] and betula utilis bark extract [ 10 ] induce the reduction of the absorption of fat and cholesterol by inhibiting the activity of pancreatic lipase.…”

“…The treatment of obesity has proven hugely resistant to therapy, with anti-obesity medications which often showed insufficient efficacy, dubious safety and gastrointestinal side effects (nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and constipation) [ 8 ]. Natural anti-obesity products (biomolecules, plant crude extracts, mixture of fruit or plant crude extracts) were reported to be an excellent alternative strategy for developing effective and safe anti-obesity and anti-dyslipidemic agents [ 1 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. For example, it was shown that long-term Huangshan Maofeng green extract supplementation remarkably reduced excessive fat accumulation, increased gut microbiota diversity, restored the relative abundance of the microbiota responsible for producing short-chain fatty acids and reduced hyperlipidemia and hepatic steatosis in rats [ 16 ].…”

Anti‐obesity effect of fermented lemon peel on high‐fat diet‐induced obese mice by modulating the inflammatory response

“…In addition, PPAR‐γ promotes the expression of C/EBPα, and they (PPAR‐γ and C/EBPα) jointly induce adipocyte differentiation and lipid deposition (Choi et al, 2014). Studies have shown that, compared to normal body type, obese people have higher expression levels of FAS, C/EBPα, SREBP‐1c, and PPAR‐γ expression, and low levels of leptin expression (Kim et al, 2021). Similar results were obtained in the present study.…”

Anti-Obesity Effect of Rice Bran Extract on High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

“…Obesity can be reduced by inhibiting angiogenesis, which subsequently reduces adipogenesis. Several studies have demonstrated the anti-obesity effect of other rice cultivars and herbal medicines ( Ho et al, 2012 ; Lim et al, 2016 ; Kim et al, 2019 ; Kim et al, 2021 ). Anthocyanin-enriched rice berry extract inhibits adipocyte formation and proliferation, and reduces the adipocyte numbers, while resulting in triglyceride accumulation in preadipocytes (3T3-L1 cells) ( Kongthitilerd et al, 2020 ).…”