It has previously been demonstrated that HCY2, an ursolic acid-enriched fraction derived from Cynomorii Herba, induced mitochondrial uncoupling in heart, liver and kidney tissues of rats.In the present study, we investigated whether HCY2 co-treatment can reduce the body weight in high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice by virtue of mitochondrial uncoupling in skeletal muscle.The results showed that HCY2 co-treatment significantly reduced the body weight gain and white Adhesive Tape fat pads in HFD-fed mice.The weight reduction effect of HCY2 was associated with the induction of mitochondrial uncoupling in skeletal muscle, amelioration of HFD-induced hyperglycaemia and impairment in glucose tolerance as well as dyslipidaemia and fatty liver in HFD-fed mice.
It is likely that HCY2 reduces body weight by increasing energy expenditure, presumably via ALOE mitochondrial uncoupling in skeletal muscle.HCY2 may therefore offer a promising prospect in preventing obesity and the associated metabolic syndrome and health consequences.