•Effects and mechanisms of C3G and C3R on regulating BAT’s function were reported.•C3G and C3R treatment significantly raised BAT specific gene-UCP1 expression.•C3G and C3R markedly increased the expression of fatty acid oxidation-related genes.•C3G and C3R treatment dramatically elevated the mitochondrial copy number.•C3G and C3R regulated BAT’s function through AKT and ERK signaling pathways.Cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G) and cyanidin 3-rutinoside (C3R), two anthocyanin compounds isolated from mulberry fruit, have beneficial effects in regards to reducing obesity. Their molecular targets have yet to be elucidated, however. Improving the function or increasing the quantity of mitochondria in brown adipose tissue (BAT) can promote the metabolism of carbohydrates and fat. This study was designed to investigate the mitochondrial biogenesis regulated by C3G and C3R during brown adipogenesis. The BAT-cMyc cell was treated with C3G and C3R, both of which significantly increased the expression levels of fatty acid oxidation-related genes such as PGC1α, PRDM16, and CPT1α. C3G and C3R also significantly increased the expression of TFAM and NRF1/NRF2. Notably, C3G and C3R treatment greatly elevated the mitochondrial copy number and BAT specific gene-UCP1 expression through AKT and ERK signaling pathways. These results altogether suggest that C3G and C3R may ameliorate metabolic disease through activating BAT thermogenesis.

The flavonoid composition of flavedos and juices from four Chinese pummelo cultivars (Citrus grandis ‘Shatianyu’, C. grandis ‘Guanximiyu’, C. grandis ‘Yuhuanyu’, and C. grandis ‘Cuixiangtianyu’) and one grapefruit cultivar (Citrus paradisi ‘Changshanhuyu’), was investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography diode array detection electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-ESI MS/MS). Twenty-eight flavonoids were identified. Naringin was the predominant flavanone in these pummelo varieties, whereas naringin and neohesperidin were the principal flavanones found in C. paradisi ‘Changshanhuyu’. The four pummelo cultivars had higher levels of flavones when compared with the grapefruit. Based on the flavonoid profiles in flavedos and juices, four pummelo cultivars and one grapefruit cultivar were well separated.Highlights► Four Chinese pummelo cultivars and one grapefruit cultivar were collected. ► The flavonoid composition in flavedos and juices of samples were analysed. ► Twenty-eight flavonoids were identified.