Potential Anti-obesogenic Effects of Ginkgo biloba Observed in Epididymal White Adipose Tissue of Obese Rats

Abstract

Exacerbated expansion of adipose tissue seen in diet-induced obesity leads to endocrine dysfunction and disturbance in adipokine secretion, with such abnormal profile positively associated with type 2 diabetes and other mild chronic inflammatory conditions. Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE), a mixture of polyphenols with antioxidant properties, has been recently investigated in a variety of experimental models of endocrine dysfunction, with several potentially beneficial effects identified, including improvement in insulin sensitivity in obese rats, and reduction of weight gain in ovariectomy-induced obesity and diet-induced obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate in high fat diet-induced obese male rats the effects of GbE supplementation for 2 weeks on adipocyte volume and adipose tissue lipid accumulation. GbE supplementation was effective in reducing energy intake in obese rats compared to the saline-treated placebo group. Epididymal adipocyte volume was reduced in GbE-supplemented rats, as were epididymal [1- 14 C]-acetate incorporation into fatty acids, perilipin ( Plin 1 ) and fatty acid synthase ( Fasn ) mRNA, and FAS protein levels. Adipocyte hypertrophy in obesity is associated with insulin resistance, and in the present study we observed a reduction in the adipocyte volume of GbE-supplemented obese rats to dimensions equivalent to adipocytes from non-obese rats. GbE supplementation significantly reduced acetate accumulation and tended to reduce [ 3 H]-oleate incorporation, into epididymal adipose tissue, suggesting a potentially anti-obesogenic effect in longer term therapies. Further studies that investigate the effects of GbE supplementation in other experimental models are required to fully elucidate its suggested beneficial effects on mild chronic inflammatory conditions.

Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) attenuates obesity and anxious/depressive-like behaviours induced by ovariectomy

“…In agreement with the present data, we have previously demonstrated, in obese rats, that GbE reduced both body weight and adiposity, epididymal adipocytes volume and incorporation of fatty acids into triglycerides, what allowed us to suggest a potential use of GbE in the control of obesity [22][23][24] . Ginkgo biloba biflavones have been found to exert a lipolytic action in the epididymal adipose tissue of rats, through inhibition of cAMP-phosphodiesterase 43 .…”

Ginkgo biloba Extract Modulates the Retroperitoneal Fat Depot Proteome and Reduces Oxidative Stress in Diet-Induced Obese Rats

“…Since obesity-related chronic low-grade inflammation is associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (O’Connell et al, 2010), it is possible that the benefits associated with GbE on insulin sensitivity and signaling are related to the reduction in adipocyte hypertrophy and the expression of proteins involved in inflammation and oxidative stress. Indeed, we have previously demonstrated that GbE treatment significantly reduced both the epididymal adipocyte volume and de novo lipogenesis (Hirata et al, 2019), which allowed us to suggest that GbE might play an antiobesogenic effect.…”

Precision Nutrition to Activate Thermogenesis as a Complementary Approach to Target Obesity and Associated-Metabolic-Disorders

“…Ginkgo Biloba extract, a mixture of polyphenols with antioxidant properties, might be efficient in the prevention and treatment of obesity associated disorders such as insulin resistance and adipocyte hypertrophy as indicated by a variety of experimental models of endocrine dysfunctions [ 119 ]. In this regard, it have been reported several in vivo preclinical studies where Ginkgo Biloba extract significantly reduced food intake, body weight gain and adiposity, reducing the epididymal adipocyte volume, while protecting against hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia in diet-induced obesity in rats [ 120 , 121 , 122 ]. Moreover, this extract increased AMPK and adiponectin signaling pathways [ 123 ].…”