Zyflamend Supplementation Alleviates High‐Fat Diet‐Induced Obesity and Impairment of Skeletal Muscle Insulin Sensitivity

Abstract

Pharmacological approaches to combat the global epidemic of obesity have met with limited success despite extensive investments in their development. Plant-based compounds are widely considered as natural and affordable alternatives or adjuvants to prescription medications, including those designed to treat obesity. However, the lack of mechanistic understanding hampers the ability to refine these approaches into clinically-supported treatments. Our recent studies have identified Zyflamend as a potential anti-obesity bioactive mix that inhibits adipocyte differentiation through modulation of inflammatory and lipolytic pathways. However, the effects of Zyflamend on obesity-induced metabolic dysregulation remain largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of Zyflamend on obesity and insulin resistance following dietary supplementation. We report that Zyflamend supplementation for 24 weeks significantly reduced high fat diet (HFD)-induced adiposity and insulin resistance, and reduced plasma levels of non-essential fatty acids. Additionally, mice supplemented with Zyflamend exhibited a significant reduction in HFD-induced activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation in the skeletal muscle. These changes were concomitant with increased AMPK phosphorylation and enhanced insulin signaling. Together, these findings identify Zyflamend as a potential treatment for obesity and metabolic syndrome and warrant additional investigation into the mechanism(s) of Zyflamend's metabolic actions.