title: Amelioration of obesity and glucose intolerance in high-fat-fed C57BL/6 mice by anthocyanins and ursolic acid in Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas).
abstract: Much attention has been focused on food that may be beneficial in preventing diet-induced body fat accumulation and possibly reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Cornelian cherries (Cornus mas) are used in the preparation of beverages in Europe and also to treat diabetes-related disorders in Asia. In this study, the most abundant bioactive compounds in C. mas fruits, the anthocyanins and ursolic acid, were purified, and their ability to ameliorate obesity and insulin resistance in C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet was evaluated. Mice were initially fed a high-fat diet for 4 weeks and then switched to a high-fat diet containing anthocyanins (1 g/kg of high-fat diet) and ursolic acid (500 mg/kg of high-fat diet) for an additional 8 weeks. The high-fat diet induced glucose intolerance, and this was prevented by anthocyanins and ursolic acid. The anthocyanin-treated mice showed a 24% decrease in weight gain. These mice also showed decreased lipid accumulation in the liver, including a significant decrease in liver triacylglycerol concentration. Anthocyanin and ursolic acid treated mice exhibited extremely elevated insulin levels. Both treatments, however, showed preserved islet architecture and insulin staining. Overall, these data suggest that anthocyanins and ursolic acid purified from C. mas fruits have biological activities that improve certain metabolic parameters associated with diets high in saturated fats and obesity.
authors.affiliation: Bioactive Natural Products and Phytoceuticals, Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA.
authors.forename: Bolleddula
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jayaprakasam
authors.forename: L Karl
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Schutzki
authors.forename: Mei-Hui
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Tai
authors.forename: Muraleedharan G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Nair
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000872:Anthocyanins / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D029768:Cornus / Q000737:chemistry*; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D018149:Glucose Intolerance / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D008099:Liver / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000032:analysis; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000097245:Ursolic Acid
chemical_list: D000872:Anthocyanins; D004041:Dietary Fats; D007328:Insulin; D008055:Lipids; D014280:Triglycerides; D014315:Triterpenes; D000097245:Ursolic Acid