Safflower Yellow and Its Main Component HSYA Alleviate Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice: Possible Involvement of the Increased Antioxidant Enzymes in Liver and Adipose Tissue

Abstract

Purpose: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of obesity and its associated disorders. Safflower yellow (SY) and hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA), the natural compounds isolated from Carthamus tinctorius L., has been found to possess antioxidative and anti-obesity properties. The purpose of the present study is to investigate whether SY and its main component HSYA alleviate obesity by the antioxidant effects. Methods: Diet-induced obese (DIO) mice were treated with 200 mg/kg/d SY or HSYA for 10 weeks. Body weight, fat mass, serum biochemical parameters and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were measured. Glucose and insulin tolerance tests were performed. The expression of antioxidant enzymes in liver and adipose tissue were measured. In vitro, H 2 O 2-induced oxidative stress HepG2 cells and 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with SY and HSYA to investigate the direct effects of SY and HSYA on the expression of antioxidant enzymes. Results: SY and HSYA significantly decreased the body weight gain of DIO mice, and decreased fat mass to 57.8% and 61.6% of the control mice, respectively (P < 0.05). The parameters of glucose metabolism and liver function were improved after SY and HSYA treatment. The hepatic SOD activities and the mRNA levels of antioxidant enzymes in liver and adipose tissue of SY and HSYA treated mice were increased (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the administration of SY and HSYA on the H 2 O 2-induced oxidative stress HepG2 cells and adipocytes also increased the expression of the antioxidant factor and antioxidant enzymes to 1.2~3.3 folds of the control cells (P < 0.05). Conclusion: SY and its main component HSYA could significantly decrease the fat mass, and improve glucose metabolism and liver function in diet-induced obese mice. The

Nuciferine Inhibited the Differentiation and Lipid Accumulation of 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes by Regulating the Expression of Lipogenic Genes and Adipokines

“…The murine 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured according to protocol previously implemented in our lab ( Zhu et al, 2013 ; Zhu et al, 2015 ; Yan et al, 2020 ). Briefly, 3T3-L1 cells were cultured in DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with 10% FBS and 1% antibiotics (100 U/ml penicillin and 100 U/ml streptomycin) in CO 2 incubator (Thermo, United States).…”

“…Differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and human primary preadipocytes were conducted in our lab as described previously ( Zhu et al, 2013 ; Zhu et al, 2015 ; Miao et al, 2019 ; Yan et al, 2020 ). Briefly, 2 days after preadipocytes achieved confluence (designated as day 0), differentiation was induced by culturing cells with 10% FBS DMEM/F12 medium (for 3T3-L1 preadipocytes) or basal culture medium (for human primary preadipocytes) supplemented 1 mg/ml insulin, 50 mM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) and 10 mM dexamethasone (Gibco BRL, Grand Island, United States) for 4 days.…”

“…For the detection of FAS, ACC, SREBP1, HSL, FGF21 and ZAG mRNA levels in fully differentiated murine adipocytes (day 9), the cells were treated with nuciferine (0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 μM) for (0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h). For the detection of FAS, ACC, SREBP1, HSL, FGF21 and ZAG mRNA levels in fully differentiated human primary adipocytes, the cells were treated with nuciferine (0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 μM) for 48 h. RT-qPCR was performed with SYBR green fluorescent dye using an ABI7500 PCR system (Applied Biosystems, Beverly, MA, United States) as previously described ( Yan et al, 2020 ; Zhu et al, 2016 ). In brief, the total RNA of cells was isolated by using E. Z.N.A Total RNA Kit I (Omega Biotek United States).…”

Anti-Adipogenic Polyacetylene Glycosides from the Florets of Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius)

“…Further pharmacological studies demonstrated that the polyacetylenes from C. tinctorius inhibited LPS-induced NO (nitric oxide) release, showing its potential as an agent for treating inflammatory diseases [ 6 ]. Recent studies have shown that extracts of safflower inhibited the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and alleviated high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. In addition, treatment with safflower extracts improved metabolic parameters, such as glucose metabolism and lipid profiles, in mice with diet-induced obesity [ 9 , 10 ].…”

“…Recent studies have shown that extracts of safflower inhibited the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and alleviated high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. In addition, treatment with safflower extracts improved metabolic parameters, such as glucose metabolism and lipid profiles, in mice with diet-induced obesity [ 9 , 10 ]. Despite numerous evidences showing the beneficial effects of safflower on metabolism, the exact compounds responsible for the action and the mechanisms underlying their action remain undiscovered.…”