Anti-obesity mechanisms of adzuki bean saponin: a multi-omics and experimental study

Adzuki bean saponin (ABS) has shown therapeutic potential in improving obesity, but its underlying mechanism and active saponin components are still unknown. This research estimated the anti-obesity effect of ABS in obesity using a mouse model. Advanced research methods such as spatial metabolomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, serum pharmacology, and network pharmacology were employed to study the molecular mechanisms of ABS and its bioacitve saponins. ABS achieved anti-obesity effects by improving HFD-induced body weight gain, abnormal lipid profiles and liver dysfunction liver lipid accumulation, and increased adipose tissue. Liver spatial metabolomics suggested a potential involvement of ABS in modulating lipid metabolism via alterations in the arachidonic acid pathway. The results of transcriptomics, proteomics, and immunohistochemistry indicated that ABS could achieve anti-obesity effects through activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Based on our previous study and serum pharmacology analysis revealed that soyasaponin Ba is a key saponin in ABS that achieves anti-obesity effects. Similarly, soyasaponin Ba can achieve anti-obesity effects by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling. ABS and its active saponin Soyasaponin Ba can achieve anti-obesity effect by up-regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. This understanding of this mechanism provides valuable insights for developing drugs or health supplements based on adzuki beans to combat obesity.