ABSTRACT
Objective: To examine the effect of Brassica oleracea extract (BO) on impaired glucose and lipid homeostasis in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Methods: Obesity of ICR mice was induced by feeding a HFD (45 kcal％ lard fat) for 16 weeks. During the last 8 weeks of study period, obese mice were additionally administered with BO (100 and 200 mg/kg/day). The metabolic parameters were determined. The gene expressions of hepatic lipogenesis were also studied. Results: After 8 weeks of treatment, BO (100 and 200 mg/kg) significantly reduced hyperglycemia and improved insulin sensitivity (P < 0.05). The serum lipid (total cholesterol, triglyceride, and non-esterified fatty acid) and hepatic triglyceride and non-esterified fatty acid were decreased (P < 0.05). The levels of insulin and leptin in serum were also decreased (P < 0.05). Moreover, the expressions of hepatic lipogenic genes including sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c, fatty acid synthase, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase were decreased by BO treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These results suggest that BO is a new therapeutic agent for improving the homeostasis of glucose and lipid in HFD-induced obese mice probably by suppression of lipogenic genes in liver tissue.
ABSTRACT
Estrogen stimulates endothelial nitric oxide (NO) production and attenuates endothelial dysfunction in ischemia/repurfusion and menopause. Recent studies have shown that phytoestrogens from dietary sources improve endothelial function and reduce cardiovascular risks. The Thai medicinal plant Pueraria mirifica (PM) contains many potent phytoestrogens including miroestrol and deoxymiroestrol but no study on vascular function has been established. Ground powder of PM was orally given to ovariectomized White New Zealand rabbits (OVX + PM group) (n = 4) weighing 3.2-4.0 kg at the dose of 100 mg/kg for 90 days. Saline-treated ovariectomized rabbits were assigned as a control group (OVX group) (n = 5). At the end of treatment thoracic aorta was isolated for functional evaluation. Maximal relaxant response to acetylcholine (ACh) was significantly increased (24%) with 3.5-fold decrease in EC50 while no change in relaxant response to sodium nitroprusside was observed Minimal and maximal responses to 17beta-estradiol (E2) were increased in the OVX + PM group and L-NAME (100 mM) attenuated Emax of E2. PM significantly decreased maximal contractile responses to norepinephrine (NE), but no change in EC50 was observed. In addition to vascular study, the authors found no significant alteration in serum cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride, HDL, ALT AST alkaline phosphatase, and lipid peroxidation in OVX + PM rabbits. These data demonstrate that PM (100 mg/kg/d) improved endothelial function through NO-dependent pathway and increased response to E2 while sensitivity to NE was reduced. In addition, it had no impact on lipid profile, liver enzymes, and ALP activities. PM is a potential source of phytoestrogens for postmenopausal women to improve cardiovascular function or reduce cardiovascular risks.