Inflammation and Obesity: The Pharmacological Role of Flavonoids in the Zebrafish Model

Abstract

A Mediterranean-style diet is highly encouraged thanks to its healthy food pattern, which includes valuable nutraceuticals such as polyphenols. Among these, flavonoids are associated with relevant biological properties through which they prevent or fight the onset of several human pathologies. Globally, the enhanced incidence of overweight and obese people has caused a dramatic increase in comorbidities, raising the need to provide better therapies. Therefore, the development of sophisticated animal models of metabolic dysregulation has allowed for a deepening of knowledge on this subject. Recent advances in using zebrafish (Danio rerio) as model for metabolic disease have yielded fundamental insights into the potential anti-obesity effects of flavonoids. Chronic low-grade inflammation and immune system activation seem to characterize the pathogenesis of obesity; thus, their reduction might improve the lipid profile of obese patients or prevent the development of associated metabolic illnesses. In this review, we highlight the beneficial role of flavonoids on obesity and related diseases linked to their anti-inflammatory properties. In light of the summarized studies, we suggest that anti-inflammatory therapies could have a relevant place in the prevention and treatment of obesity and metabolic disorders.

Investigating the Neuroprotective and Cognitive-Enhancing Effects of Bacopa monnieri: A Systematic Review Focused on Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, and Apoptosis

“…Inflammation is one of the most common immune response mechanisms against infections, diseases (cardiovascular, metabolic, neurodegenerative, and cancer), and tissue injuries [112]. It is notable that systemic inflammation increases with age, evidenced by higher circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, Interleukin-1β (IL-1 β), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and immune dysregulation [113].…”

Bergamot Byproducts: A Sustainable Source to Counteract Inflammation

“…Inflammation and oxidative stress are pillars of diseases like obesity [ 32 ]. In particular, overnutrition causes saturation of fat deposits and malfunction of tissue adipose, which becomes hypertrophied.…”

Sirtuins as Players in the Signal Transduction of Citrus Flavonoids

“…Interesting SIRT1-mediated anti-inflammatory mechanisms also concern the metabolic context. Several studies collected in a narrative review highlighted the beneficial effects of polyphenols on metabolic disease linked to their anti-inflammatory properties [40]. Indeed, the flavonoid nobiletin (NOB) was able to reduce liver inflammation and fibrosis through the suppression of the NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain-associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in a SIRT1-dependent manner [108].…”

“…The first group includes primary metabolites involved in plant growth, development, reproduction, and metabolism, while the second one consists of secondary metabolites, which are able to protect plants from injury and diseases [33]. Among the latter, flavonoids are largely studied for their capability to protect and mitigate several diseases, exerting many different biological effects such as cardio-protective [34], anti-cancer [35,36], neuroprotective [37], antioxidant [38], and anti-obesity effects, as well as their role in the management of insulin resistance [39,40]. Interestingly, several scientific reports highlighted the beneficial effects of flavonoids contained in both Citrus fruits and their juices that, together with their byproducts [41], represent a real treasure for human health [42,43], for their capability to target multiple molecular targets [44][45][46][47].…”