Steamed Ginger Extract (GGE03) Attenuates Obesity and Improves Metabolic Parameters in Association with AMPK Activation and Lipid Metabolism Regulation in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice

Abstract

Steamed ginger ethanolic extract (GGE03) has been shown to exert anti-obesity effects, yet its underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigates the metabolic impact of GGE03 on lipid metabolism, adipogenesis, and energy regulation in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity model. C57BL/6N mice were fed a control diet, a high-fat diet (HFD), or HFD supplemented with GGE03 (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg/day) for eight weeks. GGE03 significantly reduced body weight gain (HFD: 18.1 ± 0.3 g vs. HFD+GGE03 200 mg/kg/day: 13.4 ± 0.2 g, p < 0.05) and fat mass percentage (HFD: significantly higher vs. HFD+GGE03 50, 100, 200 mg/kg/day, p < 0.05). Serum glucose levels were decreased from 220.2 ± 8.2 mg/dL (HFD) to 169.6 ± 5.9 mg/dL (HFD+GGE03 200 mg/kg/day, p < 0.05), and triglyceride levels were reduced from 82.9 ± 4.2 mg/dL (HFD) to 57.2 ± 2.9 mg/dL (p < 0.05). Insulin resistance, as measured by HOMA-IR, was improved by up to 54.9% compared to the HFD (p < 0.05). Mechanistically, GGE03 administration increased AMPK phosphorylation (p-AMPK/AMPK ratio significantly elevated by HFD+GGE03 100 and 200 mg/kg/day, p < 0.05) and upregulated fatty acid oxidation gene expression (Cpt-1), while suppressing lipogenesis-related genes (Srebp-1c, Fas, and Acc1). GGE03 improved obesity-related metabolic disturbances in high-fat diet-induced mice, with beneficial effects associated with AMPK signaling and lipid metabolism. These findings suggest the potential of GGE03 as a functional food ingredient for obesity prevention and management.