Roselle Extract Ameliorates Abnormal Glucolipid Metabolism and Gut Microbiota in Obese Mice Fed With High-Fat Diet

Abstract

Roselle extract (RE) is rich in anthocyanins and chlorogenic acids. This study investigated the health-promoting effects of RE on lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, glycometabolism, and gut microbiota in obese mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). The obesity model was induced by feeding mice a HFD, with RE supplementation added to their drinking water at concentrations of 2 and 4 mg/mL for 12 weeks. RE significantly reduced body weight gain and fat accumulation compared to the control group, alleviated hepatic steatosis, and improved insulin sensitivity. Additionally, RE restored antioxidative enzyme activities such as SOD and GSH-PX while reducing MDA levels. Transcriptomic analysis of the liver was performed to evaluate gene expression related to lipid metabolism, particularly in the PPAR signaling pathway. Gut microbiota analysis showed that RE increased beneficial bacteria and reduced the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio, suggesting an improvement in gut dysbiosis caused by the HFD. RE enhanced lipid metabolism, reduced oxidative stress, and improved insulin sensitivity in obese mice, potentially through modulation of the PPAR signaling pathway and gut microbiota, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic candidate for obesity-related metabolic disorders.