Panax notoginseng extract and total saponin suppress diet-induced obesity and endoplasmic reticulum stress in epididymal white adipose tissue in mice.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Investigation on protective effects of Panax notoginseng against obesity and its related mechanisms is incomplete. Present study aimed to investigate the potential anti-obesity effect of the total saponins (PNS) and ethanolic extract of P. notoginseng (PNE).

METHODS:

Six-week-old male C57BL/6J mice received 45% kcal fat diet for 12 weeks to induce obesity. Oral administration of PNS and PNE at 20 mg/kg/day was applied for the last 4 weeks in the obese mice. Lipid profile was determined by ELISA. Histological examination was performed in liver and fat tissues. Protein levels were measured by Western blot.

RESULTS:

PNS and PNE did not cause weight loss. PNE but not PNS decreased the mass of epididymal and retroperitoneal white adipose tissue, accompanied by a reduction in adipocyte hypertrophy. PNS and PNE improved lipid profile by reducing the concentrations of triglyceride, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in plasma or liver samples. PNS and PNE also relieved fatty liver in obese mice. PNS and PNE inhibited expression and phosphorylation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-responsive proteins in hypertrophic adipose tissue.

CONCLUSIONS:

PNS and PNE can regulate ER stress-mediated apoptosis and inflammation to alleviate obesity.

• Authors: Yi Tan, Xutao Zhang, Yan Zhou, Lingchao Miao, Baojun Xu, Haroon Khan, Yitao Wang, Hua Yu, Wai San Cheang
• Journal: Chinese medicine (Chin Med) Vol. 17 Issue 1 Pg. 75 (Jun 20 2022) ISSN: 1749-8546 [Print] England
• PMID: 35718787 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2022. The Author(s).