Beta-Glucan-Rich Extract from Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Singer Prevents Obesity and Oxidative Stress in C57BL/6J Mice Fed on a High-Fat Diet

Abstract

Mushrooms have been used in folk medicine for thousands of years. In this study, the effect of β -glucan-rich extract of P. sajor-caju (GE) on lipid lowering and antioxidant potential was assessed in C57BL/6J mice fed on a high-fat diet. Obesity was induced in C57BL/6J mice by feeding a high-fat diet. The control groups in this study were ND (for normal diet) and HFD (for high-fat diet). The treated groups were ND240 (for normal diet) (240 mg/kg b.w) and HFD60, HFD120, and HFD240 (for high-fat diet), where the mice were administrated with three dosages of GE (60, 120, and 240 mg GE/kg b.w). Metformin (2 mg/kg b.w) served as positive control. GE-treated groups showed significantly reduced body weight, serum lipid, and liver enzymes levels. GE also attenuated protein carbonyl and lipid hydroperoxide levels by increasing the enzymic antioxidants (SOD, CAT, and GPx) activities in the mice. GE-treated groups induced the expression of hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) and adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) while downregulated the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR- γ ), sterol regulatory binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), and lipoprotein lipase (LPL). Hence, GE prevented weight gain in the mice by inducing lipolysis and may be valuable in the formulation of adjuvant therapy for obesity.

Figure 1

Effects of GE and metformin on body weight changes in C57BL/6J mice fed on a high-fat diet or normal diet. The concentrations of GE were 60, 120, and 240 mg/kg/day. Metformin (2 mg/kg/day) was used as positive control. Values expressed are means ± S.D of (n = 6 per group) measurements.

Figure 2

Effects of GE and metformin on (a) AOPP (b) lipid hydroperoxide, and (c) 8-OHdG levels in urine samples of C57BL/6J mice fed on a high-fat diet or normal diet. Values expressed are means ± S.D of triplicate measurements (n = 6 per group). For same assay with various treatment groups, superscripts in the different bar with different alphabets (a)–(e) were significantly different (P < 0.05). Superscripts with same alphabets were not significantly different between the treated groups (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference observed in the 8-OHdG levels between the groups tested (P > 0.05).