Ligusticum chuanxiong Prevents Ovariectomy-Induced Liver and Vascular Damage in Rats

2013 ◽  
Vol 41 (04) ◽  
pp. 831-848 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun-Mei Li ◽  
Jian-Hong Wu ◽  
Ri-Fu Yang ◽  
Xiao-Li Dong ◽  
Zhen-Yu He ◽  
...  

Post-menopause, there is an increase in body weight, visceral adiposity, and risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which leads to various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Some natural products have proven useful for counteracting the detrimental effects of menopause. The rhizome of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. (LC) is a well-known medicinal herb widely used in Chinese communities for the treatment of CVDs. The hepatic and vascular protective effects of LC ethanolic extract under postmenopausal conditions were investigated on ovariectomized (OVX) rats supplemented with or without LC ethanolic extract (600 mg/kg body weight/day, p.o.) or 17β-estradiol (1 mg/kg body weight/day, p.o.) for 12 weeks. The current findings demonstrated that consumption of LC ethanolic extract could reduce the body weight gain, improve serum lipid profile (lowering low density lipoprotein cholesterol but raising high density lipoprotein cholesterol), combat NAFLD, and protect vascular endothelium in the OVX rats. The beneficial effects of LC may be associated with its antioxidant or vasorelaxant compounds, which enhance the levels of hepatic antioxidant enzymes and up-regulate endothelial nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression, respectively. Taken together, LC may be a promising natural supplement for postmenopausal women to prevent NAFLD and CVDs.

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Abdulfatai Ojewale ◽  
Sanusi Mada ◽  
Samson Oyebadejo ◽  
Adam Afodun ◽  
Okikioluwa Aladeyelu ◽  
...  

Diabetes mellitus has developed into one of the debilitating diseases disturbing the health of many people living with cardiovascular diseases in modern times. The root of Ageratum conyzoides was investigated for its effects on alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats’ cardiac tissues. Thirty-two (32) Wistar rats weighing between 180 and 190 g were randomly divided into four groups. The animals in groups B-D were induced with a single dose of 150 mg/kg body weight of alloxan (ALX) intraperitoneally. They were confirmed hyperglycemic after 72 hours of induction and then sustained in hyperglycemic condition for 2 weeks. Animals in groups C and D received AC intervention, as stated above, for four weeks. The body weight of the experimental animals and blood collection for glucose estimation were taken weekly for six weeks using appropriate instruments. Biochemical assays for lipid profile, antioxidant enzymatic, and nonenzymatic markers were carried out. Histopathological changes in the cardiac tissues were also studied. Administration of 150 mg/kg of ALX to experimental rats induced diabetes and significantly reduced the body weights, significantly ( p < 0.05 ) increased the glucose level, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, and decreased the levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and antioxidant enzymatic markers such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) while the antioxidant nonenzymatic marker such as malondialdehyde (MDA) level was significantly increased. By contrast, rats given the ethanolic extract root of A. conyzoides had significantly ( p < 0.05 ) increased the body weight gain, whereas the glucose levels significantly ( p < 0.05 ) improved in treated diabetic rats. This extract also improved the cardiovascular system of the diabetic rats by significantly decreasing TG and LDL levels, significantly ( p < 0.05 ) increasing the HDL level, significantly reducing the cardiac contents of CAT, SOD, and GPx, and significantly ( p < 0.05 ) decreasing MDA. Ethanolic extract root of A. conyzoides exhibited antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activities and mitigates damage to the heart from the ALX-induced myocardial toxicity associated with type-1 diabetes.


2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-147
Author(s):  
Magdy M. Ismail ◽  
El-Tahra M. Ammar ◽  
Abd El-Wahab E. Khalil ◽  
Mohamed Z. Eid

Background and Objective: Yoghurt, especially bio-yoghurt has long been recognized as a product with many health benefits for consumers. Also, honey and olive oil have considerable nutritional and health effects. So, the effect of administration of yoghurt made using ABT culture and fortified with honey (2 and 6%), olive oil (1 and 4%) or honey + olive oil (2+1 and 6+4% respectively) on some biological and hematological properties of rats was investigated.Methods:The body weight gain, serum lipid level, blood glucose level, serum creatinine level, Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase (GOT) activity, Glutamic Pyruvic Transaminase (GPT) activity, leukocytes and lymphocytes counts of rats were evaluated.Results:Blending of bio-yoghurt with rats&#039; diet improved body weight gain. Concentrations of Total plasma Cholesterol (TC), High-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), Low-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), Very Low-Density Lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL) and Triglycerides (TG) significantly lowered in plasma of rats fed bio-yoghurt. Levels of TC, LDL, VLDL, and TG also decreased in rat groups feed bio-yoghurt supplemented with honey and olive oil. LDL concentrations were reduced by 10.32, 18.51, 34.17, 22.48, 43.30% in plasma of rats fed classic starter yoghurt, ABT yoghurt, ABT yoghurt contained 6% honey, ABT yoghurt contained 4% olive oil and ABT yoghurt contained 6% honey + 4% olive oil respectively. The blood glucose, serum creatinine, GOT and GPT values of rats decreased while white blood cells and lymphocytes counts increased by feeding bioyoghurt contained honey and olive oil.Conclusion:The findings enhanced the multiple therapeutic effects of bio-yoghurt supplemented with honey and olive oil.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahsa Maroofi ◽  
Javad Nasrollahzadeh

Abstract Background Intermittent calorie restriction (ICR) is a novel method of dietary restriction for body weight control with the potential to improve obesity-related cardiometabolic markers, but the impact of this diet on subjects with hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) remains unknown. Methods Eighty-eight subjects with overweight or obesity and mild-to-moderate HTG were randomized to the continuous calorie restriction (CCR) group, or ICR group (a very low-calorie diet during 3 days of the week) for 8 weeks (44 patients in each group). Body composition, plasma lipids, glucose, insulin, adiponectin, and liver enzymes were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks. An intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Results The body weight decreased in both groups (4.07 ± 1.83 kg in the CCR group and 4.57 ± 2.21 kg in the ICR group) with no significant difference between the groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the reduced amount of fat mass, fat-free mass, and waist circumference. Both groups achieved a significant reduction in plasma triglycerides after 8 weeks (by 15.6 and 6.3% in ICR and CCR groups, respectively) with no difference between treatment groups. HOMA-IR improved significantly in ICR compared to the CCR group (P = 0.03). Plasma glucose, insulin, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, liver enzyme, and adiponectin were not different between the two groups. Conclusions The results of this short-term study suggest that three-days a week of the ICR is comparable to a CCR diet for the reduction of triglycerides level in patients with HTG and in the short-term it appears to be more effective than continuous dieting in improving insulin resistance. However, longer-term studies are needed to confirm these findings. Trial registration Trial registration number:NCT04143971.


Biomolecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 435 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bihui Liu ◽  
Jing Zhang ◽  
Peng Sun ◽  
Ruokun Yi ◽  
Xiaoyan Han ◽  
...  

A high-fat diet-induced C57BL/6N mouse model of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was established. The effect and mechanism of Raw Bowl Tea polyphenols (RBTP) on preventing NAFLD via regulating intestinal function were observed. The serum, liver, epididymis, small intestine tissues, and feces of mice were examined by biochemical and molecular biological methods, and the composition of RBTP was analyzed by HPLC assay. The results showed that RBTP could effectively reduce the body weight, liver weight, and liver index of NAFLD mice. The serum effects of RBTP were: (1) decreases in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (AKP), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), D-lactate (D-LA), diamine oxidase (DAO), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and an increase of high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels; (2) a decrease of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin 4 (IL-4), interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interferon gamma (INF-γ); (3) a decrease the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in liver tissue; and (4) alleviation of pathological injuries of liver, epididymis, and small intestinal tissues caused by NAFLD and protection of body tissues. qPCR and Western blot results showed that RBTP could up-regulate the mRNA and protein expressions of LPL, PPAR-α, CYP7A1, and CPT1, and down-regulate PPAR-γ and C/EBP-α in the liver of NAFLD mice. In addition, RBTP up-regulated the expression of occludin and ZO-1, and down-regulated the expression of CD36 and TNF-α in the small intestines of NAFLD mice. Studies on mice feces showed that RBTP reduced the level of Firmicutes and increased the minimum levels of Bacteroides and Akkermansia, as well as reduced the proportion of Firmicutes/Bacteroides in the feces of NAFLD mice, which play a role in regulating intestinal microecology. Component analysis showed that RBTP contained seven polyphenolic compounds: Gallic acid, (-)-epigallocatechin, catechin, L-epicatechin, (-)-epigallocatechin gallate, (-)-gallocatechin gallate, and (-)-epicatechin gallate (ECG), and high levels of caffeine, (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC), and ECG. RBTP improved the intestinal environment of NAFLD mice with the contained active ingredients, thus playing a role in preventing NAFLD. The effect was positively correlated with the dose of 100 mg/kg, which was even better than that of the clinical drug bezafibrate.


2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Xiao-Yan Wang ◽  
Xue-Lan Song ◽  
Yi Zhang ◽  
Gan Luo ◽  
Hai-Chuan Tai ◽  
...  

Schisandrae Fructus (SF), the fruit of Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baillon, has been used for the treatment of liver injury and metabolism-related disorders in China. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of supplementation with ethanol extract of SF seed (EtSF-S) on serum/hepatic lipid and glucose levels as well as fecal total cholesterol (TC) contents in mice fed a normal diet (ND) or high-fat/fructose diet (HFFD) containing 15% lard oil and 15% fructose. Female ICR mice (18–20 g in body weight) were fed with ND or HFFD for 3 months, and then EtSF-S was added to both chow diets at increasing concentrations of 1, 5, and 10% (w/w). Thirty days later, serum and hepatic lipids, including TC, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and glucose, were measured. Dietary supplementation with EtSF-S reduced hepatic TC (36 and 18%) and TG levels (38 and 28%) and increased serum HDL/LDL ratio (16 and 26%) in both ND- and HFFD-fed mice, respectively. Moreover, supplementation with EtSF-S elevated serum HDL (31%) in HFFD-fed mice and reduced serum LDL (27%) in ND-fed mice. EtSF-S treatment reduced fat mass (40%) in ND-fed mice and increased fecal TC contents (33%) in HFFD-fed mice. EtSF-S supplementation decreased hepatic glucose contents (29%) in both ND- and HFFD-fed mice. However, diet supplemented with EtSF-S elevated serum TG levels (up to 123%) and hepatic size (28%), but more importantly, suppressed the body weight gain (approximately 130%) in mice fed with HFFD. These findings suggested that dietary supplementation with EtSF-S as natural herbal function food may be a useful strategy for the treatment of patients with fatty liver disease or overweight without a high intake of sugar and fat.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1073-1076 ◽  
pp. 1808-1811
Author(s):  
Tao Ying Zhou ◽  
Xing Yuan Li ◽  
Nian You Chen ◽  
Zi Lin Wang ◽  
Liang Bin Yu ◽  
...  

The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-diabetic activity of polysaccharides from Agaricus bisporus mycelia (PABM) in alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) mice. After administration with 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of PABM to DM mice for 28 days, the effects of PABM on the body weight, blood glucose, serum insulin, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels were monitored. The results showed that the PABM could increase body weight, serum insulin and HDL-C levels, as well as decrease TC, TG and LDL-C levels in DM mice. PABM possess anti-diabetic activity.


PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7568
Author(s):  
Xue Han ◽  
Xiaogang Bao ◽  
Qi Lou ◽  
Xian Xie ◽  
Meng Zhang ◽  
...  

Background & Aims Aging is one of the risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Yet, the mechanism underlying the aging-associated NAFLD-like syndrome is not fully understood. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), a ubiquitous coenzyme, has protective effects against aging. Here, we investigated the actions of NAD precursors nicotinamide riboside (NR) on the development of aging-induced NAFLD. Methods NR supplemented food (2.5 g/kg food) was applied to aged mice for three months while normal chow to the other groups. Body weight, food intake, liver weight and fat pat mass were measured. The serum concentrations of lipid content, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and NAD were determined by biochemical assays. Pathological assessment and immunohistochemistry analysis of hepatic tissues were used to evaluate the effect of NR on NAFLD development and inflammatory infiltration. Results NR repletion significantly reduced fat pat mass in aged mice, while not altered the body weight, food intake, and liver weight. NR repletion significantly rescued the NAD reduction in aged mice. The total cholesterol and triglyceride levels could be lowered by NR repletion in aged mice. The AST level was also significantly reduced by NR repletion in aged group, while the ALT level lowered but without significance. Notably, moderate NAFLD phenotypes, including steatosis and hepatic fibrosis could be markedly corrected by NR repletion. In addition, Kupffer cells accumulated and inflammatory infiltration could also be remarkably reversed by NR repletion in aged mice. Conclusion Aging was associated with NAFLD-like phenotypes in mice, which could be reversed by oral NR repletion. Therefore, oral NR uptake might be a promising strategy to halt the progression of NAFLD.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rochelle Flores ◽  
Binh Nguyen ◽  
Paula Leona Cammayo ◽  
Cherry Fernandez-Colorado ◽  
Woo Kim ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Avian coccidiosis is a major disease within the poultry industry caused by species of Eimeria, an intestinal protozoan parasite. Body weight gain, intestinal lesion score, and fecal oocyst shedding are parameters that have been used to assess the protective effects of various treatments in Eimeria-infected chickens. The objective of this study was to compare the aforementioned parameters in broiler chickens infected with major parasitic species of Eimeria, such as E. acervulina, E. maxima and E. tenella. Results: The results of the body weight gain, intestinal lesion score, and fecal oocyst shedding showed similar patterns between female and male broilers infected with Eimeria species. However, there was a difference in body weight gain between normal females and males, and also between Eimeria-infected females and males. When broilers were infected with 1×104 sporulated oocysts of Eimeria species, each Eimeria species induced distinct changes in body weight gain, lesion score, and fecal oocyst shedding. In addition, a lesion score of approximately 3 was more closely related to body weight gain than a lesion score of approximately 2. Conclusion: These results suggest that certain levels of lesion severity are more closely related to body weight gain.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dan Li ◽  
Kaili Du ◽  
Yuxin Fan

Abstract Sulforaphane (SFN) which is enriched in cabbage and broccoli, a naturally-occurring isothiocyanate, has been provided as food supplements to improve weight management and reduce lipid levels. However, its effects on serum lipid profile are contradictory. In this review, a meta-analysis and systematic review of SFN on lipids reduction and weight control is assessed with mice and rats fed with high-fat diet. The effects of SFN supplementation were evaluated by weighted mean difference (WMD) and the corresponding standard error of body weight, liver weight and concentrations of lipids. A random-effects model was chosen to estimate the overall summary effect. Our analytic results of the meta-analysis revealed that SFN can reduce body weight (WMD: -2.76 g, 95% CI: -4.19, -1.34) and liver weight (WMD: -0.93 g, 95% CI: -1.63, -0.23) significantly from ten trials. Its effects on serum total cholesterol (WMD: -15.62 mg/dL, 95% CI: -24.07, -7.18), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD: -8.35 mg/dL, 95% CI: -15.47, -1.24) and triglyceride (WMD: -40.85 mg/dL, 95% CI: -67.46, -14.24) were significant except for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (WMD: 1.05 mg/dL, 95% CI: -3.44, 5.54). The subgroup analytic results from findings unveiled that classifying studies according to species, disease model, duration, SFN dosage as well as administration route could not explain the heterogeneity among studies and change the results. In summary, these findings provide new insights concerning preclinical strategies for treating diseases including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease as well as cardiovascular disease with SFN supplements.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.T. Abedin ◽  
S.T. Rahman ◽  
M.M. Islam ◽  
S. Hayder ◽  
M.A. Ashraf ◽  
...  

AbstractThe study was conducted to investigate the combined effects of honeyweed (HW) and buckwheat (BW) supplemented diets on the growth, feed intake, serum lipid profile and blood parameters in broiler chicks. One hundred fifty (150) day old chicks (Cobb-500) were divided into five groups viz. T1 (Commercial control, CC), T2 (FF+10% BW), T3 (FF+10% BW +5% (w/v) HW powder), T4 (FF+10% BW +10% (w/v) HW powder), T5 (FF+10% BW +15% (w/v) HW powder) in complete randomized design with five (5) replications, each of which contain six (6) birds. The CC feed and the FF with HW and BW supplemented diet fed on broiler for 30 days. At the end of the study, the body weight gain, FCR and mortality rate were calculated. It was found that T3 (FF+10% BW +5% (w/v) HW powder) diet significantly (p <0.05) showed the good FCR, mortality rate and body weight gain. Interestingly, T3 decreased the serum cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), increased high density lipoprotein (HDL) and improves blood parameters significantly (p < 0.05). Our results suggested that this newly formulated feed T3 (FF+10% BW +5% (w/v) HW powder) could be considered as an alternative natural feed additive to hazardous synthetic antibiotics.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document