Abstract
Prunus persica (L.) Batsch is a deciduous fruit tree cultivated worldwide. The flower of P. persica (PPF), commonly called the peach blossom, is currently consumed as a tea for weight loss in East Asia; however, its anti-obesity effects have yet to be demonstrated in vitro or in vivo. Since PPF is rich in phytochemicals with anti-obesity properties, we aimed to investigate the effects of PPF on obesity and its underlying mechanism using a diet-induced obesity model. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed either normal diet, high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD containing 0.2% or 0.6% PPF water extract for 8 weeks. PPF significantly reduced body weight, abdominal fat mass, serum glucose, alanine transaminase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, and liver and spleen weights compared to the HFD control group. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that PPF suppressed lipogenic gene expression, including stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 and -2 and fatty acid synthase, and up-regulated the fatty acid β-oxidation gene, carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1, in the liver. Our results suggest that PPF exerts anti-obesity effects in obese mice and these beneficial effects might be mediated through improved hepatic lipid metabolism by reducing lipogenesis and increasing fatty acid oxidation.
Highlights
The global epidemic of overweight and obesity has become a major challenge for public health.Excessive adiposity leads to adverse metabolic consequences, including insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and abnormal lipid metabolism, thereby increasing the risk of various diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes [1]
We explored the molecular mechanism underlying the effects of P. persica flower (PPF) on lipid metabolism in the liver of high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice
Our results suggest that PPF might counteract obesity-induced fatty liver and splenomegaly
Summary
The global epidemic of overweight and obesity has become a major challenge for public health. Excessive adiposity leads to adverse metabolic consequences, including insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and abnormal lipid metabolism, thereby increasing the risk of various diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes [1]. I.e., restriction in calorie intake and increase in physical activity, are commonly recommended as an ideal strategy to counteract obesity development, but motivation and adherence are challenging [2]. Medications approved for overweight and obesity treatment include orlistat, lorcaserin, and liraglutide, and these drugs are intended only for patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 or BMI ≥ 27 with comorbidities [3]. Because of a high incidence of side effects [3], anti-obesity drugs should be used only if the expected benefits outweigh the possible risks. Many researchers have focused on the Nutrients 2019, 11, 2176; doi:10.3390/nu11092176 www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients
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