Xanthigen Attenuates High-fat Diet-induced Obesity through Down-regulation of PPARγ and Activation of the AMPK Pathway

Xanthigen, a mixture of brown seaweed and pomegranate seed extracts, has weight loss properties and lipid-lowering effects in mice and humans. This study elucidated the Xanthigen mechanism of an anti-obesity activity in high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice. Xanthigen decreased expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) in the adipose tissue of HFD-fed mice. The serum leptin level and the adipose tissue leptin expression in mice fed HFD plus Xanthigen were significantly decreased, compared to HFD-fed mice. Phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) alpha and beta and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) in the adipose tissue of HFD plus Xanthigen-fed mice was elevated, and HMG-CoA reductase (HMGCR) expression was decreased. Xanthigen may have an anti-obesity activity by down-regulation of PPAR gamma and activation of the AMPK pathway.