Beneficial effects of Coicis Semen formula on high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To study the effects and mechanism of Coicis Semen formula on high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice. Methods: C57BL/6J male mice were fed on chow or high-fat diet. After three months, except for control group, the obese mice (body weight more than 20% of the control mice) were randomly divided into model group (model), Coicis Semen formula low-dose group (0.59 g/kg, F-low), Coicis Semen formula high-dose group (1.17 g/kg, F-high) and positive control group (orlistat, 15.6 mg/kg, positive control). F-low, F-high and positive control groups were treated orally for two months, and the control group and the model group were given an equal volume of saline. The fat content of mice was quantified by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the size of adipocytes was observed by tissue staining and the level of inflammatory cytokines was detected by qRT-PCR. Results: The results showed that after treatment with Coicis Semen formula, the relative body weight, food utilization ratio and waist circumference were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). An oral glucose tolerance test elucidated that Coicis Semen formula could improve glucose tolerance (P < 0.05). CT and MRI results indicated that the abdominal fat thickness and whole-body fat content of Coicis Semen formula groups were decreased (P < 0.05), which were also confirmed by the adipose tissue weight and HE staining results. Meanwhile, after administration of Coicis Semen formula, the liver weight decreased, less lipid droplets accumulated, and serum triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels were also significantly lowered (P < 0.05). Coicis Semen formula also significantly down-regulated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels and inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in liver (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Coicis Semen formula prevented high-fat diet-induced obesity by reducing lipid aggregation and inflammatory factor expression.