The artemisinin-like erythrene may be used to treat obesity

Reporters learned from Xiamen University, the university's School of Pharmacy Professor Zhang Xiaokun's research team of the latest results published in the world's leading academic journal " Cell" sub-journal
, revealed the separation from the traditional medicinal plant Leigong rattan extracted from the important target and mechanism of the regulation of metabolism, found the potential treatment of obesity.
, which is named after erythrin and artemisinin, is listed by Cell magazine as one of the five traditional natural medicinal compounds most likely to be developed into modern drugs. The recent discovery of the super weight loss effect of erythrene makes this traditional Chinese medicine ingredient popular all over the world. However, the specific target of leigongto erythione, molecular mechanism is unclear, has been hindering its development into a modern drug.
And Professor Zhang Xiaokun's team recently found that Lei Gongto erythrin can be combined with the orphan nuclear subject Nur77 in the nuclei of cells, inducing specific action to remove damaged mitochondrials, thereby suppressing inflammation and obesity and other related diseases. The experimental results showed that Lei Gongto erythrene effectively inhibited the weight gain of mice fed a high-fat diet.
The results determine the specific target and new molecular mechanism of leigong erythrene, break through the major problems in the process of converting natural products into modern drugs, and lay a strong theoretical foundation for the development of the medicinal value of leigong erythrene, which is conducive to promoting the development of inflammatory diseases and obesity treatment drugs. Nur77, an orphan nuclear subject that plays an important role in regulating metabolism, will be a potential drug target for the treatment of obesity.
it is understood that the next step of Professor Zhang Xiaokun's research team will be to explore in depth how Lei Gongto erythrin acts on mitochondrials and regulates metabolism. The team plans to look for a link between orphaned nucleo-subject Nur77 and leptin signals at the brain's appetite control center after the study found that reigong erythrobin makes cells more sensitive to leptin, a hormone that suppresses appetite and fat cell synthesis. (Source: Zhang Jianxuan, Science and Technology Daily