Abstract
Gomisin N (GN) is lignin derived from Schisandra chinensis that has been reported to exhibit hepato-protective, anti-cancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. However, its role in whole-body energetic homeostasis remains unclear. In this study, we employed Drosophila melanogaster as a diet-induced obese model to elucidate the effects of GN on lipid and glucose metabolism by measuring climbing activity, triglyceride levels, and lifespan under a rearing condition of a high-fat diet (HFD) containing 20% coconut oil, with or without GN. Constant exposure of flies to an HFD resulted in increased body weight and decreased climbing activity, along with a shortened life span. Importantly, the administration of GN to HFD groups lowered their body weight and induced a specific upregulation of lipid storage droplet (Lsd)-2 and hormone-sensitive lipase (Hsl), in addition to improved lifespan. Importantly, GN in HFD groups appeared to downregulate heat shock protein Hsp90 family member (dGRP94), a key regulator of the endoplasmic reticulum stress response, which may also contribute to improved life span in the presence of GN. Taken together, these in vivo findings suggest that GN could serve as a useful agent for the prevention and treatment of obesity.
Highlights
The phenomenon of obesity is unique and distributed from childhood to old age
According to the WHO “Global strategy on diet, physical activity and health”, one of the beneficial approaches to tackle diabetes is to focus on population-wide approaches to facilitate a healthy diet, as well as physical activity, in an attempt to reduce a burden of obesity
In line with this effort, several chemical compounds mostly derived from natural ingredients have been synthesized in hopes of developing novel anti-obesity drugs, and their pharmacological activities have been examined in various experimental settings
Summary
The phenomenon of obesity is unique and distributed from childhood to old age. According to Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) data, the adult obesity rate has increased steadily since 1990, with an average of 19.5%, led by the United States and Mexico at 38.2% and 32.4%, respectively, with lower rates of 3.7% and 5.3% for Japan and Korea, respectively [1]. 41.4% of obese people with a BMI over 30 died of cardiovascular disease, 9.5% of diabetes, and 4.7% of kidney disease [2]. Given both the risk of obesity-related health complications and the economic burden, reducing body weight is regarded as a major health benefit [3]. While anti-obesity drugs might be a promising solution to tackle obesity, the possible side effects or adverse drug reactions of these drugs are considered a public health concern [4]. The growing threat of obesity to global health and the undetermined efficacy, safety, and long-term effects of anti-obesity drugs has encouraged researchers to pay more attention and efforts to find an efficient and safe anti-obesity ingredient [5]
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