Obesity, a global health concern characterized by excessive fat accumulation, necessitates the discovery of anti-obesity compounds. Rottlerin, known for its anti-cancer effects as a mitochondrial uncoupler, has been a subject of interest. However, its impact on reducing intracellular lipid accumulation remains a gap in our understanding. This study aimed to fill this gap by dissecting the mechanism of rottlerin in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. We treated differentiated 3T3-L1 cells with 0-20 mM of rottlerin for 48 hours to assess its capability to induce lipid accumulation. Notably, we observed no cytotoxicity associated with the treatment of rottlerin up to 20 mM, indicating its safety at these concentrations. Lipid accumulation, measured by oil Red O, was downregulated dose-independently by rottlerin. We also found that key lipogenic enzymes, including SCD1 and DGAT1, were decreased. The transcription factor of lipogenic genes, SREBP1, was reduced by approximately 80% with rottlerin. LRP6, a crucial link between de novo lipogenesis mechanism reactions and Wnt signaling, was also degraded by around 70%. Interestingly, the downstream regulation of LRP6, b-catenin, and TCFL2 was diminished by rottlerin. Our data indicate that rottlerin alleviates adipocyte lipid accumulation by suppressing the LRP6/β-catenin/SREBP1c pathway. These findings underscore the potential of rottlerin as a safe nutraceutical for combating obesity.

Obesity is the cause of many diseases, and its severity continues to increase. Promoting non-shivering thermogenesis is attracting attention as a new treatment strategy for obesity. This study summarized the studies that evaluated the effect of Panax ginseng on promoting non-shivering thermogenesis in animal models. A total of 7 studies were included according to the selection criteria, of which five were judged to have a high risk of bias. Indicators of UCP1 mRNA, UCP1 protein, and PGC- 1a were used in the meta-analysis, and the certainty of evidence progressed for each indicator, with UCP1 protein showing the highest certainty of evidence. Meta-analysis was conducted on 5 works of literature with standard indicators. As a result of meta-analysis, UCP1 protein level and PGC-1a mRNA level were significantly increased statistically. In addition, the protein levels of PRDM16 and TFAM increased in several studies (not a meta-analysis). These findings suggest that Panax ginseng could be a potential therapeutic agent for obesity. However, further research is needed to understand its mechanisms and possible side effects fully. Thus, it is concluded that Panax ginseng in animal models can promote non-shivering thermogenesis and improve mitochondria function in animal models, opening up new avenues for research and potential clinical applications.

Obesity, characterized by excessive fat accumulation, poses global health risks, including metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, with its prevalence steadily rising. This study proposes that rottlerin induces anti-obesity effects by enhancing non-shivering thermogenesis in beige adipocytes D16 via LRP6 inhibition. As a result, treatment of D16 cells with rottlerin up to 5 mM showed no cytotoxicity. Rottlerin significantly increased the expression of proteins involved in substrate oxidation, such as UCP1 and PGC1a, while decreasing the expression of C/EBPb associated with adipogenesis. Additionally, PRDM16, regulating brown adipocyte development, exhibited increased expression. The phosphorylation of LRP6, an indicator for Wnt signaling and nutrient-sensing pathway, is decreased by rottlerin. In conclusion, the study highlights the reduced phosphorylation of LRP6 as a pivotal mechanism by which rottlerin promotes the “beigeing” of D16 adipocytes, subsequently inducing non-shivering thermogenesis. This underscores rottlerin’s potential as a natural bioactive compound with anti-obesity effects.

This research uses the Balanced Scorecard framework to create comprehensive performance indicators for foodservice programs in senior welfare centers. The study evaluates these programs in South Korean senior welfare centers from financial, customer, learning and growth, and internal business process perspectives. Thirty-five evaluation indicators were developed and validated through the Delphi study used for the survey study nationwide, and 115 were collected. Thirty elderly welfare centers participated in on-site evaluation by the expert. The results of the survey study, 81.4, indicate overall favorable performance, with social workers scoring slightly lower than dietitians and directors. On-site evaluations showed better performance, 84.4, compared to the survey study. The learning and growth perspective showed a significantly higher score on on-site evaluation, and the score was 20.9, which was 3.1 points higher than 17.8 from the survey study (p<0.001). However, there is room for improvement, including adopting nutrition management programs, defining roles for dietitians and cooks, enhancing food sanitation regulations, and providing financial support. Additional recommendations involve recruiting nutrition personnel, collaborating with local governments, and integrating centers for children’s foodservice management at the local level. This research provides valuable insights into enhancing the foodservice in elderly welfare centers to improve the nutrition and well-being of the elderly population.

Cardiovascular disease remains a leading global cause of mortality, demanding effective prevention and management. This systematic review explores the impact of lycopene, prevalent in various fruits, on cardiovascular health. Thirteen randomized and controlled trials were analyzed, involving 385 participants with cardiovascular risk factors. Notable findings included significant blood pressure reductions, particularly among hypertensive individuals, and favorable alterations in lipid profiles. Lycopene interventions also demonstrated potential in mitigating oxidative stress and inflammation markers. While these findings show promise, more rigorously designed studies are essential to determine optimal dosages and durations for precise cardiovascular benefits. In conclusion, lycopene shows potential in managing cardiovascular risk factors, and its role in blood pressure regulation, lipid profile improvement, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects is encouraging. Nonetheless, further research is warranted to provide definitive guidance on integrating lycopene to enhance cardiovascular health.