Figure 4.

Proposed mechanisms for the anti-obesity effects of luteolin-enriched artichoke leaf (AR) extract. AR reduces adiposity by increasing adipocyte genes involved in lipolysis and FA oxidation as well as thermogenesis. In addition, AR not only activates FA uptake and lipogenesis in adipose tissue to prevent ectopic lipids in liver but also simultaneously increases FA oxidation, which may contribute to reduced adiposity, with improved dyslipidemia. AR also alters hepatic lipid and glucose metabolizing factors, which prevents hepatic steatosis by reducing the hepatic lipid load and eventually improving insulin resistance. This is associated with a decrease in the plasma pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.