The magnolia bioactive constituent 4-O-methylhonokiol protects against high-fat diet-induced obesity and systemic insulin resistance in mice

Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2014:2014:965954. doi: 10.1155/2014/965954. Epub 2014 May 29.

Abstract

Obesity is caused by a combination of both genetic and environmental risks. Disruption in energy balance is one of these risk factors. In the present study, the preventive effect on high-fat diet- (HFD-) induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice by Magnolia bioactive constituent 4-O-methylhonokiol (MH) was compared with Magnolia officinalis extract BL153. C57BL/6J mice were fed by normal diet or by HFD with gavage-administered vehicle, BL153, low-dose MH, and high-dose MH simultaneously for 24 weeks, respectively. Either MH or BL153 slightly inhibited body-weight gain of mice by HFD feeding although the food intake had no obvious difference. Body fat mass and the epididymal white adipose tissue weight were also mildly decreased by MH or BL153. Moreover, MH significantly lowered HFD-induced plasma triglyceride, cholesterol levels and activity of alanine transaminase (ALT), liver weight and hepatic triglyceride level, and ameliorated hepatic steatosis. BL153 only significantly reduced ALT and liver triglyceride level. Concurrently, low-dose MH improved HFD-induced hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance. Furthermore, the infiltration of mast cells in adipose tissue was decreased in MH or in BL153 treatment. These results suggested that Magnolia bioactive constituent MH might exhibit potential benefits for HFD-induced obesity by improvement of lipid metabolism and insulin resistance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / drug effects
  • Adipose Tissue / pathology
  • Adiposity / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Biphenyl Compounds / chemistry
  • Biphenyl Compounds / pharmacology
  • Biphenyl Compounds / therapeutic use*
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Diet, High-Fat*
  • Fatty Liver / blood
  • Fatty Liver / drug therapy
  • Fatty Liver / pathology
  • Feeding Behavior / drug effects
  • Glucose Tolerance Test
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Insulin / blood
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Lignans / chemistry
  • Lignans / pharmacology
  • Lignans / therapeutic use*
  • Lipid Metabolism / drug effects
  • Magnolia / chemistry*
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Obesity / blood
  • Obesity / chemically induced
  • Obesity / drug therapy*
  • Obesity / pathology
  • Protective Agents / pharmacology
  • Protective Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Triglycerides / blood

Substances

  • 4-O-methylhonokiol
  • Biphenyl Compounds
  • Blood Glucose
  • Insulin
  • Lignans
  • Protective Agents
  • Triglycerides
  • Cholesterol