Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), obesity, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have highly related mechanisms. Ramulus Mori (Sangzhi) alkaloids (SZ-A) from Morus alba L. were approved in 2020 for the treatment of T2DM. In this study, we examined the therapeutic effects and mechanism of SZ-A on obesity and NAFLD in mice. Mice (C57BL/6J) fed a high-fat diet (HFD) for 14 weeks were treated with SZ-A for another 6 weeks. HFD-induced weight gain was reduced by SZ-A in a dose-dependent manner. SZ-A treatment significantly stimulated adiponectin expression and secretion in adipose tissue and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Additionally, SZ-A markedly reduced hepatic steatosis (triglyceride, total cholesterol) and expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic genes. SZ-A regulated lipid metabolism and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione (GSH)) in the liver. Palmitic acid-induced insulin resistance and lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells were also repressed by SZ-A. Collectively, SZ-A protected mice from HFD-induced NAFLD through an indirect effect of improved systemic metabolism reducing bodyweight, and a direct effect by enhancing the lipid metabolism of HepG2 cells. The weight-loss effect of SZ-A in mice was partly due to improved fatty oxidation instead of influencing food consumption.
