Anacardic acid mitigates liver fat accumulation and impaired glucose tolerance in mice fed a high-fat and high-sucrose diet

Abstract

In this study, we evaluated the effects of anacardic acid (AA), a phenolic lipid found in cashew nuts (Anacardium occidentale), on metabolic disorders related to obesity, fatty liver disease, and diabetes using both in vitro and in vivo models. The application of AA led to a reduction in lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells without observable cytotoxicity. Results from Western blot analysis revealed that AA treatment also led to decreased expression of fatty acid synthase and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. In vivo studies were performed to evaluate the effects of AA treatment on fatty liver disease and diabetes. Mice fed a high-fat and high-sucrose diet had significantly higher body and liver weights, and higher levels of liver fat, cholesterol, fasting glucose, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). However, 12 weeks of oral treatment with 500 μg/kg BW AA slowed down lipid accumulation rates in the liver and mitigated insulin resistance in these mice. Thus, AA may reduce lipid levels and have an antidiabetic effect.