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November 2, 2023

10 Plant Extracts, Gut Microbiota, and Obesity Amazing Secrets

Unlock the amazing secrets of plant extracts and their impact on gut microbiota in managing obesity. Discover natural ways to improve your health

Xam Richie

Plant extracts and obesity insights — Unveiling Plant Extracts and Obesity

Key Points

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) derived from grape seeds shows promise in mitigating obesity and improving various health conditions.
GSPE can regulate lipid metabolism, reduce serum triglyceride levels, decrease adipose tissue mass, and alleviate inflammation.
The interaction between GSPE and gut microbiota plays a crucial role in its anti-obesity effects.
Honokiol (HON), derived from Magnolia officinalis, has therapeutic potential in treating chronic diseases and has been found to reduce body weight and adipose tissue mass.
HON modulates adipogenesis and lipolysis, improves insulin sensitivity, and targets protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B).
HON's bioavailability is low, and its metabolization by gut microbiota contributes to its lipid metabolic benefits.
Capsaicin (CAP) derived from red chili peppers has shown beneficial impacts on obesity by decreasing fat accumulation, converting white adipose tissue (WAT) to brown, and reducing inflammation responses.
CAP supplementation can boost thermogenesis, enhance brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity, promote WAT browning, and improve glucose homeostasis.
Konjac glucomannan (KGM) from the konjac tuber has demonstrated potential in managing lipid dysmetabolism and displaying hypoglycemic effects.
KGM improves lipid metabolism, decreases body weight, alleviates hyperglycemia and inflammatory responses, and interacts with gut microbiota to optimize bowel movement and modulate gut health.
Chlorophyll, the green pigment found in plants, has potential roles in combating obesity, but further research is needed to fully understand its mechanisms.

Power of Plant Extracts: Your Key to Tackling Obesity

Obesity, a major health threat, is linked to gut microbiota disorders.

Studies reveal plant extracts, like mulberry leaf, policosanol, and green tea, can combat obesity by improving gut microbiota.

This article explores how these extracts, including honokiol and capsaicin, could be the breakthrough in preventing and treating obesity and its associated metabolic woes, with gut microbiota playing a crucial role.

Plant Extracts, Gut Microbiota, and the Fight Against Obesity

Obesity is a global health crisis affecting people worldwide, and it's marked by a series of metabolic disorders, especially lipid dysmetabolism and its complications, such as diabetes .

Lipid metabolism, which involves the synthesis and degradation of lipids like triglycerides and cholesterol, is crucial to preventing obesity when properly regulated .

Several factors influence obesity, including genetics, dietary habits, underlying diseases, and physical activity levels .

Recent studies have pointed out a significant link between obesity and gut microbiota, demonstrating that alterations in gut microbiota can lead to obesity and its associated metabolic diseases .

Gut microbiota dysregulation can increase intestinal permeability and elevate harmful microbial metabolites production, thereby aggravating lipid dysmetabolism, obesity, and related diseases, such as diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) .

This makes gut microbiota a potential therapeutic target for obesity management.

Over the years, evidence has shown that diets and nutrients play a role in regulating gut microbiota composition and obesity

This review aims to shed light on the anti-obesity activity of plant extracts and their potential mechanisms related to gut microbiota.

Plant Extracts in Obesity: Potential Implication of the Gut Microbiota

The Power of Mulberry: A Natural Solution for Obesity and Gut Health

Mulberry leaf extracts, a traditional Chinese medicine, are rich in flavonoids that have been proven to possess multiple health benefits, including antioxidant, muscle function improvement, cardioprotective, and anti-cancer properties .

Interestingly, these extracts also display significant anti-obesity effects.

Research conducted on hyperlipidemic mice showed that mulberry leaf extract treatment reduced levels of serum total triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Similar positive effects on blood lipid metabolism were observed in high-fat diet-fed mice, with mulberry leaf extract administration resulting in weight loss, reduced adipose tissue mass, and improved brown adipose tissue function .

Moreover, the extracts also demonstrated the ability to decrease lipid peroxidation and accumulation in the liver of rats .

The combination of mulberry leaf extracts with mulberry fruit extract was found to have an additive effect in reducing body weight gain, fasting plasma glucose, and insulin levels, while also mitigating inflammation and oxidative stress in obese mice induced by a high-fat diet .

Furthermore, in vitro studies showed that mulberry leaf extract treatment could prevent atherosclerosis by inhibiting the proliferation and migration of aortic vascular smooth muscle cells .

Importantly, the beneficial effects of mulberry leaf extracts might be linked to gut microbiota, as flavonoids are metabolized by gut bacteria and absorbed in the intestine .

FML-treated obese mice exhibited a healthier balance of gut microbiota, with an increase in Bacteroidetes and a decrease in Firmicutes

This shift led to higher levels of acetic acid production, promoting lipolysis and inhibiting lipid accumulation via activation of G protein-coupled receptor 43 (GPR43), a short-chain fatty acid receptor

Policosanol: Obesity and Cholesterol Management.

Policosanol, derived from plant waxes, has emerged as a multifaceted solution, demonstrating remarkable bioactivities such as anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and anti-parkinsonian properties .

Significantly, its role in combating lipid dysmetabolism and obesity is noteworthy.

Studies on human subjects and rats have showcased policosanol's efficacy in reversing adverse lipid profiles and reducing obesity indicators,

such as serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels, serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and glucose levels .

Furthermore, in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice, policosanol treatment was found to enhance brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity and improve glucose homeostasis, alongside reducing hepatic lipid content .

Additionally, policosanol plays a pivotal role in cholesterol metabolism regulation.

It significantly decreases serum total cholesterol levels and increases acidic sterols excretion in hamsters, suggesting a cholesterol-lowering effect by restraining bile acids absorption .

This hypocholesterolemic effect can be attributed to its capacity to down-regulate 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutary coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, a crucial enzyme in cholesterol biosynthesis, further validated by an in vitro study .

The connection between cholesterol metabolism and gut microbiota is complex.

Primary bile acids, synthesized and secreted by hepatocytes, are transformed into secondary bile acids by gut microbiota.

Any imbalance in gut microbiota can disrupt this process, affecting cholesterol metabolism.

This hints at the possible role of policosanol in regulating cholesterol metabolism partially through gut microbiota modulation .

Therefore, policosanol could be a promising alternative to traditional cholesterol-lowering agents like statins, although more research is required to fully understand its mechanisms of action.

Power of Cortex Moutan in Obesity Management.

Cortex Moutan (CM), derived from the root bark of Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews, is a prized traditional Chinese herbal medicine renowned for its vast pharmacological properties.

With its bioactive component paeonol at the forefront, CM plays a pivotal role in addressing cardiovascular diseases, tumors, and neurological disorders.

Recently, the spotlight has been on CM's and paeonol's ability to regulate preadipocyte differentiation, maintain glucose homeostasis, and mitigate obesity-related challenges such as lipid peroxidation and inflammatory responses.

Clinical studies reveal that paeonol administration results in significant reductions in fasting blood glucose, serum triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol (TC) levels in diabetic mice and myocardial ischemia rabbits, largely due to the activation of serine/threonine kinase B (Akt) .

Furthermore, paeonol's anti-inflammatory and lipid peroxidation mitigating properties have been evidenced in atherosclerotic rabbits, contributing to its anti-atherosclerosis effects .

Paeonol's interaction with gut microbiota is a noteworthy aspect of its modus operandi.

CM exhibits antimicrobial activity against a variety of bacteria, highlighting its potential to modulate gut microbiota .

A study further substantiated this by demonstrating that CM administration significantly altered gut microbiota composition in HFD-induced obese mice,

with a subsequent improvement in blood metabolite levels and down-regulation of sterol-regulatory element binding proteins (SREBPs) in the liver .

Moreover, paeonol was found to reduce intestinal fungal abundance, particularly Candida albicans,

and inhibit the mycobiota-mediated dectin-1/interleukin-1β (IL-1β) signaling pathway, ameliorating alcohol liver disease in mice .

The interconnectedness of CM, gut microbiota, and anti-obesity effects propels it as a potential pharmaceutical agent in the fight against obesity.

Slimming Secrets of Green Tea Extract

Green tea, derived from the unfermented dried leaves of Camellia sinensis, has captivated the world with its wealth of health benefits.

Rich in flavan-3-ols or catechins, these powerful antioxidants mitigate oxidative stress.

The standout among them, (–)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), positions green tea as a strong contender in anti-obesity and anti-diabetic realms .

Green tea extract (GTE) has showcased its prowess in vitro, significantly reducing lipid accumulation by hindering preadipocyte differentiation and promoting white adipocyte browning .

EGCG further enhances glucose homeostasis by rectifying redox imbalance and mitochondrial dysfunction in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

These findings are echoed in human and animal studies, where GTE supplementation led to reduced body weight, adipose tissue mass, and serum LDL-C levels .

Moreover, GTE combats inflammation, boosts energy expenditure, and alleviates insulin resistance.

GTE's anti-obesity properties are partially attributed to its positive influence on gut microbiota, increasing Bacteroides abundance and consequently improving obesity-related symptoms .

Hypothesized mechanisms include enhanced short-chain fatty acid production, inhibited endotoxin formation, and improved intestinal redox state .

While largely beneficial, excessive tea polyphenol intake has shown adverse effects on intestinal health in obese mice .

Future research should delve deeper into GTE's interaction with specific gut microbiota to fully unravel its slimming secrets.

Resveratrol Against Obesity: A Deep Dive into Its Potent Mechanisms

Resveratrol (RES), a polyphenolic compound derived from various plants like grapes, peanuts, and mulberries, has been extensively studied for its potential health benefits in cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and Alzheimer's diseases .

Particularly noteworthy is its significant role in combating obesity, as evidenced by enhanced energy expenditure, BAT activity, WAT browning, and improved glucose homeostasis.

Studies on animals fed obesogenic diets revealed that RES supplementation increases thermogenesis in skeletal muscle and BAT

by upregulating uncoupling protein (UCP) expression, thereby improving energy dissipation and reducing obesity .

Similarly, RES enhanced BAT activity, WAT browning, and glucose homeostasis in db/db mice .

In high-fat diet-fed mice, RES administration resulted in improved hepatic lipid metabolism and decreased liver steatosis, thus alleviating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) .

Moreover, it reduced intestinal fatty acid and monoglyceride accumulation, offering cardiovascular benefits .

In vitro studies further confirmed the positive effects of RES on brown adipocyte formation, thermogenic function, and oxygen consumption through the activation of AMPKα1 .

Additionally, RES decreased triglyceride accumulation in mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and enhanced epinephrine-induced lipolysis in rat and human adipocytes .

Interestingly, the anti-obesity effects of RES are partially mediated by its interaction with gut microbiota.

Following ingestion, RES accumulates in the intestinal tract, where it is metabolized by gut microbiota into bioactive small molecules .

This interaction not only improves the gut microbiota composition but also alleviates obesity through the fasting-induced adipose factor (Fiaf) and sirtuin-1 (Sirt1) signaling pathways .

Furthermore, RES lowers levels of the gut microbial metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide and enhances bile acid neosynthesis, adding another dimension to its anti-obesity mechanisms.

In summary, the synergistic relationship between RES and gut microbiota offers a promising avenue for obesity prevention and treatment .

Grape Seeds: A Natural Ally in the Battle Against Obesity

Grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE), derived from grape seeds, is rich in polyphenolic compounds and is known for its potent antioxidant functions.

But that's not all! GSPE has also shown promise in mitigating obesity and treating various health conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, and muscle fatigue .

Rodent studies have highlighted GSPE's potential to regulate lipid metabolism and reduce obesity.

Daily administration of GSPE resulted in significant reductions in serum triglyceride levels and visceral white adipose tissue mass, while also improving mitochondrial function and increasing energy expenditure .

Similar outcomes were observed in ovariectomized mice and weaned pigs, further establishing GSPE's anti-obesity effects .

Moreover, GSPE has been found to suppress preadipocyte differentiation and promote lipolysis, thereby preventing fat accumulation .

Additionally, it can reduce low-grade inflammation by inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine production and increasing the production of anti-inflammatory adiponectin .

A unique aspect of GSPE's mechanism lies in its interaction with gut microbiota.

GSPE can restore gut microbiota balance and increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Bacteroides.

Intriguingly, GSPE's positive effects on obesity are abolished when gut microbiota is disrupted by antibiotics, emphasizing the crucial role of gut health in obesity management.

Lastly, GSPE enhances the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), especially propionate, which in turn stimulate the secretion of appetite-regulating peptides,

ultimately leading to reduced energy intake and fat accumulation .

Propionate also contributes to restoring gut microbiota balance, further supporting GSPE's anti-obesity effects .

Unraveling the Power of Honokiol

Honokiol (HON) is a natural compound derived from Magnolia officinalis, known for its therapeutic potential in treating various chronic diseases including Parkinson's, inflammation, cancer, and fatigue, due to its bioactive properties .

Significantly, recent research has highlighted HON's role in addressing obesity by modulating adipogenesis and lipolysis.

Studies have demonstrated that administering HON to obese mice resulted in a significant reduction in body weight and adipose tissue mass, with doses ranging from 200 to 800 mg/kg body weight over eight weeks.

Moreover, HON improved insulin sensitivity in diabetic mice by targeting protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B).

Combined administration of HON and magnolol further reduced white adipose tissue (WAT) weight and adipocyte size in mice fed a high-fat diet .

In vitro studies using 3T3-L1 adipocytes showcased HON's positive effects on lipid metabolism, including reducing cell viability,

inducing apoptosis, promoting white adipocyte browning, improving insulin resistance, and inhibiting brown adipocyte apoptosis.

It is important to note that HON's bioavailability is low, with less than 10% absorbed into the circulatory system.

The remaining is metabolized by gut microbiota to generate bioactive molecules and reshape the gut microbiota structure, indicating the crucial role of gut microbiota in HON's lipid metabolic benefits .

Interestingly, studies on obese mice revealed gender-specific effects of HON, with male mice exhibiting significant anti-obesity effects regulated by gut microbiota and metabolites, such as increased Bacteroides abundance and reduced lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels.

In contrast, the same effects were not observed in female mice.

While HON proves to be a promising natural remedy for obesity, the detailed mechanisms behind its action are yet to be fully uncovered.

Spice Up Your Life: How Capsaicin Can Be a Hot Solution for Obesity

Derived from red chili peppers, Capsaicin (CAP) is not just the ingredient that adds heat to your food; it's also been used to treat various health conditions, thanks to its powerful bioactive effects,

such as anti-cancer, pain relief, neuro-modulation, anti-fatigue, and anti-inflammation properties .

In recent years, evidence has emerged highlighting CAP's beneficial impact on obesity, including its ability to decrease fat accumulation, convert white adipose tissue (WAT) to brown, and reduce inflammation responses.

Studies on rats fed with obesogenic diets show that CAP supplementation can boost thermogenesis in skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue (BAT), upregulate uncoupling protein (UCP) expression, improve overall energy dissipation, and ultimately combat obesity.

Similar positive effects were observed in various other animal models, with CAP supplementation enhancing BAT activity, WAT browning, and glucose homeostasis,

while also improving liver lipid metabolism and reducing liver steatosis (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, NAFLD) .

What makes CAP even more interesting is its potential interaction with gut microbiota, which plays a crucial role in obesity.

Although its bioavailability is low, CAP mainly accumulates in the intestinal tract after intake, where it's metabolized into bioactive small molecules by the gut microbiota.

This interaction can greatly facilitate CAP's regulation of lipid metabolism and its overall anti-obesity effects.

In conclusion, CAP holds promise as a natural and effective solution for tackling obesity, with the added benefit of potentially improving gut health .

Discover the Wonders of Konjac Glucomannan

Konjac flour (KF) from the konjac tuber has been a dietary staple and medicinal component in Asia for centuries.

It contains konjac glucomannan (KGM), a hydrophilic dietary fiber with numerous health benefits, making it popular in food and pharmaceutical industries.

KGM is proven to be effective in managing diseases like constipation, wound healing, and colitis .

It has also demonstrated potential in addressing lipid dysmetabolism and displaying hypoglycemic effects.

In fact, daily supplementation of KGM in type 2 diabetic patients reduced cholesterol, LDL-C, and fasting glucose levels significantly .

Combining KGM with exercise resulted in improved blood lipid levels and body composition in overweight humans .

These results are backed by similar findings in rodent models.

Furthermore, KGM administration in nutritional obese mice and type 2 diabetic rats improved lipid metabolism, decreased body weight,

and alleviated hyperglycemia and inflammatory responses, showcasing its holistic approach to health .

The magic of KGM extends to its interaction with gut microbiota.

KF's high molecular weight, viscosity, and swelling capacity in the intestine can optimize bowel movement and modulate gut microbiota .

Research has shown that dietary KF supplementation can improve gut microbiota diversity and composition, ultimately leading to a healthier weight .

Moreover, KGM treatment reduced the abundance of BCAA-producing bacteria, improving host lipid metabolism and reducing the risk of diabetes .

Green Power: Chlorophyll's Role in Battling Obesity

Chlorophyll, the vibrant green pigment found in plants, is not just essential for photosynthesis,

but it's also a powerful agent in preventing chronic diseases, boasting anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties .

Recent research has highlighted its significance in counteracting obesity.

Studies in humans and rodents have demonstrated the positive effects of chlorophyll on weight management.

Overweight participants who consumed 5g of green plant membranes rich in chlorophyll for three months experienced notable decreases in body weight and serum cholesterol levels .

Similarly, obese mice fed with chlorophyll-rich spinach extract showed reduced body weight gain and inflammation, alongside improved glucose tolerance .

In vitro studies using 3T3-L1 cell models revealed chlorophyll's capacity to regulate lipid metabolism.

It effectively inhibited adipocyte proliferation and differentiation, curbed adipogenesis and lipid accumulation, and stimulated browning of adipose tissue .

Chlorophyll's impact extends to modulating gut microbiota composition and diversity .

In human subjects, chlorophyll-rich thylakoid treatment over 12 weeks increased the abundance of total bacteria, particularly the Bacteroides fragilis group .

In mice, chlorophyll intake enhanced the presence of beneficial gut bacteria while reducing harmful ones.

With its versatile benefits, chlorophyll emerges as a promising natural solution in the fight against obesity.

Further research is necessary to fully understand the intricate relationship between chlorophyll, gut microbiota, and lipid metabolism.

Other Plant Extracts to Combat Obesity

Various plant extracts have been shown to play a role in mitigating obesity by reprogramming gut microbiota.

Luffa cylindrica [2 g kg−1 body weight, for 14 weeks] helped reduce adiposity and metabolic complications in obese mice, increasing beneficial SCFAs-producing bacteria and SCFA content.

Coreopsis tinctoria improved blood lipid metabolism in hyperlipidemic models by normalizing gut microbiota disorders .

Garcinol supplementation [0.1% or 0.5%] restored gut balance in obese mice, improving plasma lipid profiles and reducing adipose tissue weight and body weight gain .

Cranberry extract [200 mg kg−1, for 8 weeks] enhanced insulin resistance and reduced obesity in mice by increasing beneficial Akkermansia bacteria .

Lastly, Nitzschia laevis extract supplementation [10 and 50 mg/kg/day, respectively] inhibited lipid accumulation and weight gain in obese mice, altering gut microbial richness and diversity .

Dicussion & Conclusion

Plant extracts such as mulberry leaf, policosanol, green tea, Cortex Moutan, and others have shown potential in combating obesity by improving gut microbiota.
These plant extracts can regulate lipid metabolism, reduce adipose tissue mass, improve glucose homeostasis, and alleviate inflammation.
The anti-obesity effects of these plant extracts are believed to be mediated, at least in part, by their interaction with gut microbiota.
Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action of these plant extracts and their potential as natural remedies for obesity.

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