Solidago chilensis Meyen hydroalcoholic extract reduces JNK/IκB pathway activation and ameliorates insulin resistance in diet-induced obesity mice
Authors: Nicole G Ashino
Adriana S Torsoni
Gustavo A Santos
Licio A Velloso
Arine M Melo
Fernanda S Nakutis
Janaina Cursino
Priscila Bittencourt
Anna P Silva
Marcio A Torsoni
Journal: Experimental Biology and Medicine (2011)
Discipline: CLINICAL MEDICINE
Keywords: Solidago chilensis; inflammation; obesity; insulin resistance; glucose homeostasis
Affiliations: Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas-UNICAMP, Rua Pedro Zaccaria, 1300-Jd. Sta Luiza/Limeira, Limeira, São Paulo CEP 13484-350, Brazil., Faculdade de Ciências Aplicadas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas-UNICAMP, Rua Pedro Zaccaria, 1300 – Jd. Sta Luiza/Limeira, Limeira, São Paulo CEP 13484-350, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas, Universidade Estadual de Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo CEP 13083-887, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas-UNICAMP, Campinas, São Paulo CEP 13083-865, Brazil

Abstract:  Hydroalcoholic extract of Solidago chilensis (Sc) is employed in popular medicine to treat inflammatory disease. The low-grade proinflammatory state and the activation of serine/threonine kinases in adipose tissue, like c-jun kinase (JNK) and IKK, and transcription factors, have an important role in obesity-associated insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to further investigate the effects of the Sc extract on glucose homeostasis in diet-induced obesity mice. Male Swiss mice were randomized to three groups: a control group (C) fed with standard laboratory chow; a group with an experimental high-fat diet (HFD); and a group fed with a high-fat (45% kcal from fat) diet + extract of Sc (via intraperitoneal, 3 mg/kg) (ScHFD). The dietary treatment lasted for eight weeks. Subsequently, the expression and phosphorylation of proteins of interest in the liver, hypothalamus and skeletal muscle were evaluated by Western blot analysis. Body weight, epididymal fat pad mass and liver triglycerides were higher in HFD than in control mice, but these parameters were reduced by intraperitoneal administration of the extracts (3 mg/kg) to the HFD group. AKT phosphorylation stimulated by insulin in the liver, hypothalamus and skeletal muscle was higher in ScHFD as compared with HFD mice. Additionally, liver expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and fatty acid synthase were lower in ScHFD as compared with HFD mice. Nuclear factor κB, p-IκB and p-JNK levels were higher in HFD when compared with control mice, but they were lowered by treatment with extract (ScHFD). In addition, in db/db mice, Sc extract also improved liver AKT phosphorylation stimulated by insulin and reduced PEPCK expression. The data presented herein show that Sc improves AKT activation. This effect may be promoted by reduction of the proinflammatory pathway in the liver and hypothalamus. Therefore, systemic action of the Sc components may contribute to improve obesity-associated pathophysiology. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 internal link: https: pubpeer.com publications F0327B9106A1407D8964AC7ACFD8A3 , 
 in figure 2D, how could the animals have a starting blood glucose of ZERO??? ![file] , 
null, 
 #3 Even better, at time point 120, the error bar goes below zero, implying that a few animals had negative glucose values!!?? ,