Plant-derived natural products, recognized for their bioactive properties and minimal side effects, have been widely explored for their potential in obesity management. Identifying plant-based agents that can modulate adipocyte function with low cytotoxicity is essential for developing safe and effective anti-obesity interventions. In this study, Philadelphus schrenkii (Korean mock orange) was identified as a promising candidate following an initial screening for agents that exhibit minimal cytotoxicity and reduced adipocyte differentiation, as assessed by Oil Red O staining. The anti-obesity effects of P. schrenkii methanol extract (PSE) were evaluated by using in vitro and in vivo models. PSE treatment significantly reduced C3H10T1/2 preadipocyte differentiation and upregulated thermogenic markers, including Ucp1 and Dio2, in differentiated cells. Although PSE did not induce weight loss, alter food intake, or improve the serum metabolic profiles in a diet-induced obesity mouse model, it notably enhanced the thermogenic Ucp1 expression in inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) and brown adipose tissue. It also mitigated high-fat diet-induced adiposity in iWAT, accompanied by Protein Kinase A signaling activation. These findings suggest that PSE modulates adipose tissue function by suppressing adipogenesis and promoting thermogenic gene expression without weight reduction or metabolic improvement. Based on these effects, PSE may contribute as a supportive agent to plant-based therapeutic strategies against obesity

Considering the various health problems associated with obesity in dogs, including renal diseases, joint disorders, and skin diseases, effective management strategies and guidelines are urgently needed. This situation has led to a growing demand for veterinary medications aimed at addressing obesity in dogs. However, the field faces a significant hurdle due to the absence of standardized guidelines for assessing the effectiveness of these anti-obesity medications in dogs. In response to this gap, the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (APQA) in Korea has made a crucial step by introducing clinical trial guidelines to evaluate the efficacy of treatments for canine obesity, specifically aimed at approving veterinary medicinal products. The guidelines outlined the selection criteria for target dogs, highlighting the importance of consistency within the control and treated groups. Treatment efficacy is subsequently evaluated by physical examination, body fat reduction, and biochemical indicators. In addition, the guidelines cover dosage and administration, monitoring after dosing, and statistical analysis. By doing so, this guideline not only highlights the significance of the APQA’s initiative in improving the care of obese dogs but also provides practical insights to enhance the standardization and effectiveness of clinical trials in veterinary medicine.

A previous studies depicting origin and sequence variability of the species using DNA barcoding region with the samples collected from Korea showed relatively low sequence variability. Thus, additional markers that reveal higher variability were necessitated to scrutinize population structure in connection with dispersal and invasive dynamics among international populations. Therefore, we sequenced two complete mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of M. pruinosa from the two haplotypes occurring in Korea (H1 and H3). Comparison of the two mitogenomes each with 16,312 and 16,314 bp evidenced that one region located in the A+T-rich region to provide higher number of haplotypes (4 vs. 3), sequence divergence (1.636% vs. 0.636%), and variable sites (7 vs. 3) than those of DNA barcoding region from the screening test using 13 representative individuals. This variable region, in concatenation with the currently available DNA barcoding region might be useful for population genetic analysis of worldwide populations including those of Korea. †These authors contributed equally to this paper.