Liubao tea extract restrains obesity-related hyperlipidemia via regulation of AMPK/p38/NF-κB pathway and intestinal microbiota

Liubao tea, a traditional dark tea, has gained widespread recognition for various health benefits. In this study, the effects of Liubao tea extract (LTE) on obesity-related hyperlipidemia and the potential mechanism involved were explored. Anti-obesity compounds such as tricetin, isovitexin, tiliroside, etc. in LTE were identified. In high-fat diet mouse models, LTE effectively reduced tissues, organs, and body weight growth, and restored abnormal serum lipid levels. LTE could reverse adipocyte enlargement, lipid accumulation, and hepatic microstructure abnormalities. Notably, LTE reshaped gut microbiota by boosting beneficial bacteria (e.g., Bacteroides, Akkermansia, Psychrobacter) and suppressing harmful bacteria (e.g., Dubosiella, Faecalibaculum). Spearman correlation analysis unveiled significant associations between serum lipid levels, weight gain, LTE dosage, and gut microbiota, underlining the modulatory effects of LTE on metabolic disorders via the regulation of intestinal microbiota. Collectively, LTE could serve as a potential therapy for obesity-related hyperlipidemia prevention.