Wulingsan (Oryeongsan/Goreisan) ameliorate lipid metabolism of obesity rats via regulation of the plasma metabolic profiling

Abstract

Objectives: Wulingsan has been used to cure disease about disorders related to fluid balance for thousands of years. The clinical practice of modern Chinese medicine has found that Wulingsan has the effect on reducing weight and fat, but its mechanism is not clear. This study investigated its effects on obesity rats and explored the underlying mechanisms by analyzing the plasma metabolic profiling. Methods: The effects of Wulingsan on obesity were evaluated with obesity rats induced by high-fat diet. Ultra high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was performed to discover potential biomarkers and evaluate whether Wulingsan could regulate these biomarkers. The levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) in serum were assessed by ELISA kits. Results: Remarkably, TG, TC, HDL-C and LDL-C in obesity rats were ameliorated after oral administration of Wulingsan. Further investigation indicated that the plasma metabolic profiles were clearly improved. Twelve potential biomarkers were identified. After intervention, these biomarkers turned back to normal level at some extent. Conclusion: The results showed that Wulingsan extract groups were normalized. Additionally, this study also showed that the metabonomics method was a promising tool to unravel how traditional Chinese medicines worked and these data can provide scientific basis for clinical application of Wulingsan.

Uncovering the metabolomic effects of Kampo formulas using 1H‐NMR spectroscopy: A case study of goreisan

“…Additionally, GRS has been found to inhibit AQP4 activity and thus has the potential to reduce brain edema after CSDH and other brain injuries [6,7]. Recent studies have also suggested that GRS induces glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes and decreases body weight and fat mass in obese people [8,9]. Despite the fact that many studies have reported various physiological functions of the GRS formula, the exact mechanism of it working is still not fully understood [10].…”

The efficacy and safety of Wulingsan modified formulas for chronic heart failure patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Wulingsan originates from "Treatise on Febrile Diseases", which is a traditional Chinese formula composed of polyporus umbellatus, poria cocos, alisma orientalis, atractylodes macrocephala, and cinnamon twig (11,12). It has been reported that Wulingsan exerts protective and fluid balance effects in disorders such as CHF (13), obesity (14), vomiting and diarrhea (15) and dysuria (16). Wulingsan modified formulas (WMF) are made by adding and subtracting herbs from Wulingsan according to the clinical experience, with Wulingsan being the foundation of WMF.…”