Lemon balm extract causes potent antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects in insulin‐resistant obese mice

Abstract

Over the last decades polyetiological metabolic diseases such as obesity and type 2 diabetes have emerged as a global epidemic. Efficient strategies for prevention and treatment include dietary intervention and the development of validated nutraceuticals. Safe extracts of edible plants provide a resource of structurally diverse molecules that can effectively interfere with multifactorial diseases. In this study, we describe the application of ethanolic lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) leaves extract for the treatment of insulin-resistance and dyslipidemia in mice. We show that lemon balm extract (LBE) activates the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs), which have key roles in the regulation of whole body glucose and lipid metabolism. Application of LBE (0.6 mg/mL) to human primary adipocytes resulted in specific peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor target gene expression. LBE treatment of insulin-resistant highfat diet-fed C57BL/6 mice (200 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks considerably reduced hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, plasma triacylglycerol, nonesterified fatty acids and LDL/VLDL cholesterol levels. Taken together, ethanolic lemon balm extract can potentially be used to prevent or concomitantly treat type 2 diabetes and associated disorders such as dyslipidemia and hypercholesterolemia. Keywords:Diabetes / Dyslipidemia / Functional Food / Melissa officinalis / Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor Additional supporting information may be found in the online version of this article at the publisher's web-site Metabolic diseases such as type II diabetes are the result of life style changes over the last decades [1], which require tailored approaches for more efficient intervention. A key component of such endeavours consists of the development of dietary interventions including complementation with functional food or nutraceuticals to combat metabolic disorders.

Ligands for the Nuclear Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma

“…Complex natural compound extracts exhibit rich resources for synergistically modulating nuclear receptors such as PPARs [93,94]. Clearly, well-developed analytics and standardization are highly important to ensure reproducible treatment effects of plant-derived compound extracts.…”

Treatment with Parkinsonia aculeata combats insulin resistance-induced oxidative stress through the increase in PPARγ/CuZn-SOD axis expression in diet-induced obesity mice

“…In this way, it has been demonstrated that compounds from plant sources can modulate nuclear receptors such as PPARs [29][30][31]47]. Additionally, several studies have suggested that the large fraction of flavonoids could be responsible for PPARc activation and consequently the cellular effects observed [47,48]. Accordingly, the P. aculeata extract stands out because it has shown the presence of orientin, isoorientin, vitexin, and isovitexin (all glycosylated flavonoids) [49][50][51].…”

Extraction of rosmarinic acid from Melissa officinalis L. by heat-, microwave- and ultrasound-assisted extraction techniques: A comparative study through response surface analysis

“…This has aroused great interest among researchers to prove these same properties scientifically [3]. In addition to the recognized effects in assisting digestion problems, rheumatism or headaches, several studies have demonstrated their antioxidant, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidepressant, anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory and spasmolytic capabilities [4][5][6][7][8].…”