Natural alkaloid bouchardatine ameliorates metabolic disorders in high‐fat diet‐fed mice by stimulating the sirtuin 1/liver kinase B‐1/AMPK axis

Background and purpose

Promoting energy metabolism is known to provide therapeutic effects for obesity and associated metabolic disorders. The present study evaluated the therapeutic effects of the newly identified bouchardatine (Bou) on obesity‐associated metabolic disorders and the molecular mechanisms of these effects.

Experimental approach

The molecular mode of action of Bou for its effects on lipid metabolism was first examined in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes and HepG2 cells. This was followed by an evaluation of its metabolic effects in mice fed a high‐fat diet for 16 weeks with Bou being administered in the last 5 weeks. Further mechanistic investigations were conducted in pertinent organs of the mice and relevant cell models.

Key results

In 3T3‐L1 adipocytes, Bou reduced lipid content and increased sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) activity to facilitate liver kinase B1 (LKB1) activation of AMPK. Chronic administration of Bou (50 mg∙kg⁻¹ every other day) in mice significantly attenuated high‐fat diet‐induced increases in body weight gain, dyslipidaemia and fatty liver without affecting food intake and no adverse effects were detected. These metabolic effects were associated with activation of the SIRT1–LKB1–AMPK signalling pathway in adipose tissue and liver. Of particular note, UCP1 expression and mitochondrial biogenesis were increased in both white and brown adipose tissues of Bou‐treated mice. Incubation with Bou induced similar changes in primary brown adipocytes isolated from mice.

Conclusions and implications

Bou may have therapeutic potential for obesity‐related metabolic diseases by increasing the capacity of energy expenditure in adipose tissues and liver through a mechanism involving the SIRT1–LKB1–AMPK axis.

DOI: 10.1111/bph.13855

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