Effect of Fructooligosaccharides Fraction from Psacalium decompositum on Inflammation and Dyslipidemia in Rats with Fructose-Induced Obesity

Abstract

Psacalium decompositum, commonly known as “Matarique,” is a medicinal plant used in Mexico for diabetes mellitus empirical therapy. Previous studies have shown that the fructooligosaccharides (FOS) present in the roots of this plant exhibit a notable hypoglycemic effect in animal models; this effect might be associated with the attenuation of the inflammatory process and other metabolic disorders. In this study, we examined the effects of FOS fraction administration in a fructose-fed rat model for obesity. Phytochemical chromatographic studies (high performance thin layer chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance) were performed to verify isolation of FOS. 24 male Wistar rats were maintained for 12 weeks on a diet of 20% HFCS in drinking water and chow. Glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and liver transaminases levels were measured monthly, after administering FOS fraction intragastrically (150 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks), while the levels of inflammatory cytokines were only quantified at the end of the treatments. Rats treated with FOS fraction decreased body weight, cholesterol, triglycerides, and significantly reduced IL-6, IFN-γ, MCP-1, IL-1β and VEGF levels (p < 0.05). These results suggest that P. decompositum has anti-inflammatory and hypolipidemic properties that might be used as an alternative treatment for the control of obesity.

An Alteration in the Cecal Microbiota Composition by Feeding of 1-Kestose Results in a Marked Increase in the Cecal Butyrate Content in Rats

“…Since diet has a great impact on the development of well-balanced microbiota, functional food ingredients, including prebiotic oligosaccharides, which can promote the growth of beneficial gut commensals without digestion by the host, are promising for the prevention of disorders. FOS are the well studied and commercialized prebiotics, and has several beneficial effects, such as the promotion of bifidobacteria growth [20]. FOS commonly contain 1-kestose, nystose and fructosyl-nystose at a ratio of 3:6:1 [10].…”

Fructo-oligosaccharide effects on serum cholesterol levels. An overview

“…Delgado et al 31 reviewed the potential of yacon, a tuberous Andean plant that presents high content of fructooligosaccharides and inulin [32][33] Merino-Aguilar et al 35 treated obese rats with FOS fraction extracted from Psacalium decompositum for 12 weeks and found decreased body weight, cholesterol, triglycerides, and significantly reduced cytokines IL-6, IFN-γ, MCP-1, IL-1β and VEGF levels (p<0.05) 35 .…”

A synbiotic composed of Lactobacillus fermentum CECT5716 and FOS prevents the development of fatty acid liver and glycemic alterations in rats fed a high fructose diet associated with changes in the microbiota

“…Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are widely used in the food industry and are constituted by relatively short (DP < 20) chains of fructose with a glucose terminal residue. In rats fed with a high fructose diet (HFD) for 12 weeks, a decreased body weight together with lower plasma cholesterol and triglyceride and reduced pro‐inflammatory cytokines levels was observed after treatment with FOS .…”