Effects of fermented ginseng root and ginseng berry on obesity and lipid metabolism in mice fed a high-fat diet

Abstract

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown that both ginseng root and ginseng berry exhibit antiobesity and antidiabetic effects. However, a direct comparison of the efficacy and mechanisms between the root and the berry after oral administration remains to be illuminated.MethodsIn this study, we observed the effects of fermented ginseng root (FGR) and fermented ginseng berry (FGB) on obesity and lipid metabolism in high-fat diet induced obese mice.ResultsFGR and FGB significantly inhibited the activity of pancreatic lipase in vitro. Both FGR and FGB significantly suppressed weight gain and excess food intake and improved hypercholesterolemia and fatty liver, while only FGR significantly attenuated hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. Both FGR and FGB significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of Ldlr and Acsl1 while FGR also significantly inhibited expression of Cebpa and Dgat2 in liver. FGR significantly decreased the epididymal fat weight of mice while FGB significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of genes Cebpa, Fas, Hsl, Il1b, and Il6 in adipose tissue.ConclusionSaponin from both FGR and FGB had a beneficial effect on high-fat diet-induced obesity. Compared to FGB, FGR exhibited more potent antihyperglycemic and antiobesity effect. However, only FGB significantly inhibited mRNA expression of inflammatory markers such as interleukins 1β and 6 in adipose tissue.

Enhanced uronic acid content, antioxidant, and anti‐inflammatory activities of polysaccharides from ginseng fermented by Saccharomyces cerevisiae GIW‐1

“…Ginseng, the root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer , is known as the king of medicinal herb as its physiological activities (Han et al., 2018; Li, Kim, Park, & Ji, 2017). A number of studies have been demonstrated that ginseng not only enhances the myocardium, anti‐obesity, antidiabetic, and antitumor effects, but also improves our immunity, as well as regulates nervous system (Dai, Zhang, Williams, Yuan, & Wang, 2017; Heo et al, 2016).…”

Berries Supplementation Modulates Body Weight and Metabolic Deteriorations in Obese Rats

“…Moreover, the expression of LDL-R, a receptor mediating the endocytose of cholesterol-rich LDL, may be enhanced in the berry extracts, which was in line with the decreased plasma LDL-c levels [30]. HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-controlling enzyme in the pathway of cholesterol synthesis, also may be decreased in the berry extracts treated obese groups [30]. In a good agreement with the present results, Gaidhu et al [43] found the expression levels of adipose TG lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase were both increased in the subcutaneous adipose tissue of HFD-induced obese mice.…”

“…These compounds hold some interesting mechanism of action regarding their hypoglycemic effect [13]. Moreover, the expression of LDL-R, a receptor mediating the endocytose of cholesterol-rich LDL, may be enhanced in the berry extracts, which was in line with the decreased plasma LDL-c levels [30]. HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-controlling enzyme in the pathway of cholesterol synthesis, also may be decreased in the berry extracts treated obese groups [30].…”

“…While, amelioration in these biomarkers levels was noticed tendency berry extracts treatment. It was found that hypoxia of adipocyte, due to hypertrophy of adipose tissue, is a leading cause of obesity and can cause necrosis of adipocyte [30]. The later may cause macrophage infiltration and secretion of proinflammatory cytokine.…”

“…On the other hand, the increment in pancreatic lipase in HFD-fed rats may be due to its involvement in the TG absorption from the small intestine to the enterocytes and if somehow this initial movement of TG from the small intestinal lumen is blocked, hyperlipidemia can be prevented [27]. While, the improvement in its activity post berry therapy to HFD-fed rats may be related to berry can work as pancreatic lipase inhibitors whereby the digestion and absorption of fats can be suppressed while it increased the fecal lipid content in mice [30].…”