Untargeted metabolomics and phenotype data indicate the therapeutic and prophylactic potential of Lysimachia candida Lindl. towards high-fat high-fructose-induced metabolic syndrome in rats†

The present study evaluated the therapeutic potential of the medicinal plant Lysimachia candida Lindl. against metabolic syndrome in male SD rats fed with a high-fat high-fructose (HFHF) diet. Methanolic extract of Lysimachia candida Lindl. (250 mg kg⁻¹ body weight p.o.) was administrated to the HFHF-fed rats daily for 20 weeks. Blood samples were collected, and blood glucose levels and relevant biochemical parameters were analysed and used for the assessment of metabolic disease phenotypes. In this study, Lysimachia candida decreased HFHF diet-induced phenotypes of metabolic syndrome, i.e., obesity, blood glucose level, hepatic triglycerides, free fatty acids, and insulin resistance. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics was done to study the dynamics of metabolic changes in the serum during disease progression in the presence and absence of the treatment. Furthermore, multivariate data analysis approaches have been employed to identify metabolites responsible for disease progression. Lysimachia candida Lindl. plant extract restored the metabolites that are involved in the biosynthesis and degradation of amino acids, fatty acid metabolism and vitamin metabolism. Interestingly, the results depicted that the treatment with the plant extract restored the levels of acetylated amino acids and their derivatives, which are involved in the regulation of beta cell function, glucose homeostasis, insulin secretion, and metabolic syndrome phenotypes. Furthermore, we observed restoration in the levels of indole derivatives and N-acetylgalactosamine with the treatment, which indicates a cross-talk between the gut microbiome and the metabolic syndrome. Therefore, the present study revealed the potential mechanism of Lysimachia candida Lindl. extract to prevent metabolic syndrome in rats.