Ginseng Berries Improve Liver Energy and Sugar Metabolism in Obesity

Jenn Hoskins
7th August, 2024

Ginseng Berries Improve Liver Energy and Sugar Metabolism in Obesity

Image Source: Natural Science News, 2024

Key Findings

  • The study by the Korea Food Research Institute examined the effects of ginseng berry (GB) on liver metabolism in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice
  • GB intake improved liver function by increasing metabolites related to mitochondrial function and decreasing those related to glucose metabolism
  • These changes in liver metabolites were linked to better blood glucose levels and insulin resistance, suggesting GB's potential to improve metabolic health
Ginseng berry (GB) has been previously shown to improve systemic insulin resistance and regulate hepatic glucose metabolism and steatosis in mice with diet-induced obesity (DIO). In a recent study conducted by the Korea Food Research Institute, researchers aimed to further understand the role of GB in metabolism using metabolomics analysis on the total liver metabolites of DIO mice[1]. The study involved metabolomic profiling using capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry (CE-TOF/MS) of liver tissue from mice on a 12-week normal chow diet (NC), high-fat diet (HFD), and HFD supplemented with 0.1% GB (HFD + GB). The detected metabolites, their pathways, and functions were analyzed through partial least square discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), the small molecular pathway database (SMPDB), and MetaboAnalyst 5.0. The results showed that the liver metabolite profiles of NC, HFD, and GB-fed mice (HFD + GB) were highly compartmentalized. Metabolites involved in major liver functions, such as mitochondrial function, gluconeogenesis/glycolysis, fatty acid metabolism, and primary bile acid biosynthesis, exhibited differences after GB intake. Specifically, GB intake increased the levels of metabolites involved in mitochondrial membrane function and decreased the levels of metabolites related to glucose metabolism. These changes were highly correlated with metabolic phenotypes such as fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin, and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). The findings of this study are significant as they demonstrate that long-term intake of GB can normalize global liver metabolites involved in mitochondrial function and glucose metabolism in hepatosteatotic livers of DIO mice, indicating a potential mechanism for GB in ameliorating hyperglycemia. This study builds on previous research that has highlighted the importance of liver function in metabolic diseases. For instance, it is widely known that the liver is central to lipogenesis, gluconeogenesis, and cholesterol metabolism. Pathological conditions such as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have been linked to alterations in insulin response, β-oxidation, lipid storage and transport, autophagy, and an imbalance in chemokines and nuclear receptor signaling[2]. The current study supports these findings by showing that GB can influence these metabolic pathways, particularly those related to glucose metabolism and mitochondrial function. Additionally, the study's results are consistent with earlier findings on the role of dietary components in liver health. For example, choline, an essential nutrient, has been shown to influence liver function significantly. Humans on low-choline diets develop fatty liver and liver damage, with choline requirements being modulated by individual genetic factors and estrogen levels[3]. The GB's impact on liver metabolites in the current study suggests that dietary supplements can similarly modulate liver function and prevent metabolic diseases. Furthermore, previous research on the antihyperglycemic effects of Panax ginseng berry in humans has shown potential benefits in improving glucose metabolism, particularly in individuals with higher fasting glucose levels[4]. The current study corroborates these findings by demonstrating that GB can normalize glucose metabolism in DIO mice, providing a potential mechanism for its antihyperglycemic effects. In conclusion, the study conducted by the Korea Food Research Institute provides valuable insights into the role of GB in liver metabolism and its potential to ameliorate hyperglycemia in diet-induced obese mice. By normalizing global liver metabolites involved in mitochondrial function and glucose metabolism, GB shows promise as a dietary supplement for improving liver health and preventing metabolic diseases.

MedicineHealthBiochem

References

Main Study

1) Metabolomic profiling analysis reveals the benefits of ginseng berry intake on mitochondrial function and glucose metabolism in the liver of obese mice.

Published 7th August, 2024

Journal: Metabolomics : Official journal of the Metabolomic Society

Issue: Vol 20, Issue 5, Aug 2024

Related Studies

2) The interaction of hepatic lipid and glucose metabolism in liver diseases.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhep.2011.08.025

3) Choline metabolism provides novel insights into nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and its progression.

https://doi.org/10.1097/MOG.0b013e32834e7b4b

4) Efficacy and safety of Panax ginseng berry extract on glycemic control: A 12-wk randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgr.2017.01.003


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