## 3 Pharmacological Properties of GP
### Lipid-Regulating Effect
#### 3.3.2 Anti-Obesity Effect  
More and more evidence has shown that GP also possessed a potent anti-obesity effect. GP extract (GPE) (300 mg/kg) with much higher contents of gypenoside, gypenoside LI, and ginseng Rg3 exhibited a stronger anti-obesity effect than the positive group (Orlistat, 30 mg/kg). When GPE was given, the increases in body weight, fat mass, white adipose tissue, and adipocyte hypertrophy were suppressed, and the levels of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol were lower than the high-fat-diet group. The lipid-lowering effect was associated with AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation, which led to increased SIRT1 expression [70]. GPE (300 mg/kg) named actiponin containing large amounts of damulin A and damulin B were successfully delivered to the skeletal muscle and liver, and it prevented or improved obesity in ob/ob mice by stimulating fatty acid oxidation and activating AMPK in these organs. Actiponin (200 mg/kg) reduced body weight and plasma total cholesterol level without any effect on food intake [71]. In addition, GPS could prevent high-fat diet-induced obesity by promoting energy expenditure. When treated with GPS (300 mg/kg), brown adipocyte tissue activity and white adipose tissue browning were increased [72]. Inhibiting adipogenesis was effective and promising for the treatment of obesity as well. An isolated novel saponin JS (100 \(\upmu\)M) could inhibit adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis, which might be associated with Wnt/\(\beta\)-catenin signaling activation [73]. Recently, a double-blind, randomized, clinical trial with a treatment duration of 16 weeks was conducted to assess the efficacy and safety of a commercially available capsule-form herbal supplement containing GPE on improving body composition in overweight males and females. Studiesshowed that GPE (450 mg/d) was capable of altering fat mass and fat distribution in overweight and obese males and females compared to a placebo. Following 16 weeks of treatment, a significant reduction in total body weight and total fat mass was observed. There was a significant difference between males and females. Males had a significant reduction in visceral fat and females had a significant reduction in gynoid fat [74]. It was proved that a high-fat diet can lead to changes of gut microbiota, which might further contribute to obesity. High ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes had been found in obese mice and human adults when compared to lean mice and human adults. GPS treatment (100 and 300 mg/kg) significantly decreased the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes by 20% and 58.6% respectively and increased Akkermans mucinphipha abundance in the gut microbiota, thereby preventing the development of obesity [72]. At present, the application of GPS was mainly for internal use. GPS had an obvious lipid-lowering effect for external use as well, which could meet different needs aimed at the uneven distribution of fat in the body [75].  
When considering these findings together, GP is a promising traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) used for hyperlipidemia and obesity.