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

ScopeObesity 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 (A(1), A(2), 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 resultsHigh fat diet (HFD)-fed obese male C57BL/6J mice are intervened by aspirin (0.1 mgkg(-1) body weight) or 20 mgkg(-1) of soyasaponins A(1), A(2), or I for 8 weeks. Soyasaponins A(1), A(2), 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 A(1), A(2), and I also decrease IKK/ phosphorylation in liver and WATs and reduce NF-B p65 phosphorylation and CD68 mRNA and protein expression in WATs. Soyasaponins A(1) and A(2) but not I decrease NF-B p65 phosphorylation in liver and adipocytes hypertrophy in WATs. In addition, Soyasaponin A(2) but not A(1) nor I decreases fasting blood glucose and improved insulin resistance. ConclusionSoyasaponins reduce inflammation and improve serum lipid profiles and glucose homeostasis in HFD-induced obese mice.