Fucoxanthin-Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Exert Potent Therapeutic Efficacy in Combating High-Fat Diet Induced Obesity in Mice
Lijun Ding, Xiao Luo, Weijia Wen
Abstract
Obesity and associated metabolic disorders pose significant health challenges. Fucoxanthin, a lipophilic compound, has shown promising anti-obesity potential, but its poor solubility and bioavailability limit therapeutic efficacy. The successful formulation of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) amplified fucoxanthin’s efficacy in mitigating obesity and the associated metabolic dysregulation. High-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice were treated with free fucoxanthin, lyophilized SLNs (L-SLN), and dispersed SLNs (D-SLN) loaded with fucoxanthin. The intervention with D-SLN demonstrated the most significant reduction in body weight gain (29.94%) and fat mass gain (61.80%) compared to the HFD group (p < 0.05), alongside notable improvements in metabolic indicators including fasting blood glucose, liver enzymes, lipid profile, and inflammatory markers such as leptin and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) levels. Histopathological evaluation corroborated these findings, showing highly reduced hepatic lipid droplet accumulation and improved adipocyte and testicular morphology. This advancement paved the way for translating fucoxanthin into a clinically effective anti-obesity agent.