Soyasaponins Reduce Inflammation and Improve Serum Lipid Profiles and Glucose Homeostasis in High Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Abstract

Scope: Obesity is linked to a chronic low-grade inflammatory state that contributes to the development of obesity-associated metabolic disorders. The anti-inflammatory activities and mechanisms of soyasaponin monomers (A₁ , A₂ , and I) have been recently demonstrated in cell models. However, their potential in vivo abilities to reduce chronic inflammation and alleviate metabolic disorders in obese status remain unclear.

Methods and results: High fat diet (HFD)-fed obese male C57BL/6J mice are intervened by aspirin (0.1 mg kg^-1 body weight) or 20 mg kg^-1 of soyasaponins A₁ , A₂ , or I for 8 weeks. Soyasaponins A₁ , A₂ , and I significantly reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines/mediators in serum, liver, and white adipose tissues (WATs), improve serum lipid profiles, decrease liver cholesterol, triglyceride and steatosis, and promote fecal excretion of cholesterol, triglycerides, and bile acids. Soyasaponins A₁ , A₂ , and I also decrease IKKα/β phosphorylation in liver and WATs and reduce NF-κB p65 phosphorylation and CD68 mRNA and protein expression in WATs. Soyasaponins A₁ and A₂ but not I decrease NF-κB p65 phosphorylation in liver and adipocytes hypertrophy in WATs. In addition, Soyasaponin A₂ but not A₁ nor I decreases fasting blood glucose and improved insulin resistance.

Conclusion: Soyasaponins reduce inflammation and improve serum lipid profiles and glucose homeostasis in HFD-induced obese mice.

Keywords: anti-inflammation; hypoglycemic activity; obesity; serum lipid profiles; soyasaponin.