• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.249-257
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• 2014

In this study, the anti-oxidative and anti-obesity activities of Amomum cardamomum L. methanol extract (ACME) were evaluated using DPPH radical scavenging activity assay, pancreatic lipase enzyme inhibition assay, and the cell culture model system. ACME exhibited DPPH radical scavenging activities dose-dependently, with $IC_{50}$ of DPPH radical scavenging activities of ACME being $25.15{\mu}g/ml$. Furthermore, ACME effectively suppressed pancreatic lipase enzyme activity dose-dependently. ACME also significantly suppressed adipocyte differentiation, lipid accumulation, triglyceride (TG) contents, and triggered lipolysis activity on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner, without cytotoxicity. Their anti-obesity effect was modulated by the cytidine-cytidine-adenosine-adenosine-thymidine (CCAAT)/enhancer binding proteins ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), $C/EBP{\beta}$ and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) gene and protein expressions. Taken together, these results provide an important new insight that A. cardamomum L. possesses anti-oxidative and anti-obesity activities such as pancreatic lipase inhibition, anti-adipogenic, and lipolysis effects. There is therefore potential for its use as a promising component in the field of nutraceuticals and the identification of the active compounds that confer the anti-oxidative and anti-obesity activities of ACME might be an appropriate next step.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.336-342
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• 2015

Previously, Euptelea pleiosperma was identified as one of the useful sources containing anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities for the first time in our research group. In this study, anti-obesity effect of E. pleiosperma ethanol extract (EPEE) was evaluated by using a pancreatic lipase enzyme inhibition assay and a cell culture model system. EPEE suppressed effectively pancreatic lipase enzyme activity dose dependently. Furthermore, EPEE significantly suppressed adipocyte differentiation, lipid accumulation, triglyceride contents, and triggered lipolysis activity on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner without cytotoxicity. Anti-adipogenic effect of EPEE was modulated by cytidine-cytidine-adenosine-adenosine-thymidine (CCAAT)/enhancer binding proteins ${\alpha}(C/EBP{\alpha})$, $C/EBP{\beta}$ and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}(PPAR{\gamma})$ gene and protein expressions. Taken together, these results provide the important new insight that E. pleiosperma possesses anti-obesity activities such as pancreatic lipase inhibition, anti-adipogenic, and lipolysis effects. It might be utilized as promising sources in the fields of nutraceuticals. The identification of active compounds that confer anti-obesity activity of EPEE might be needed.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.729-735
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• 2010

In our previous study, it was reported that an herbal mixture, SH21B, inhibits fat accumulation and adipogenesis both in vitro and in vivo models of obesity. SH21B is a mixture composed of seven herbs: Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Prunus armeniaca Maxim, Ephedra sinica Stapf, Acorus gramineus Soland, Typha orientalis Presl, Polygala tenuifolia Willd, and Nelumbo nucifera Gaertner (Ratio 3:3:3:3:3:2:2). The aim of this study was to investigate the detailed molecular mechanisms of the effects of SH21B on various regulators of the adipogenesis pathway. During the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells, SH21B significantly decreased the expression levels of central transcription factors of adipogenesis, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)$\gamma$ and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)$\alpha$. To elucidate the detailed molecular mechanism of the anti-adipogenic effects of SH21B, we examined the expression levels of the various pro-adipogenic or anti-adipogenic regulators of adipogenesis upstream of $PPAR{\gamma}$ and C/$EBP{\alpha}$. The mRNA levels of Krox20 and Kruppel-like factor (KLF) 15, which are pro-adipogenic regulators, were significantly down-regulated by SH21B treatment, whereas the mRNA levels of C/$EBP{\gamma}$ and KLF5 were not changed. KLF2 and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), which are anti-adipogenic regulators, were significantly up-regulated by SH21B treatment. These results suggest that the molecular mechanism of the anti-adipogenic effect of SH21B involves both the down-regulations of pro-adipogenic regulators, such as Krox20 and KLF15, and the up-regulations of anti-adipogenic regulators, such as KLF2 and CHOP, which results in the suppression of central transcription factors of adipogenesis including $PPAR{\gamma}$ and C/$EBP{\alpha}$.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.354-360
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• 2014

In this study, the anti-obesity activity of Smilax china methanol extract (SCME) was evaluated using a pancreatic lipase enzyme inhibition assay, and a cell culture model system. Results indicated that, SCME effectively inhibited pancreatic lipase enzyme activity in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, SCME significantly suppressed insulin, dexamethasone, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine-induced adipocyte differentiation, lipid accumulation, and triglyceride contents on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, in a dose-dependent manner. The anti-adipogenic effect was modulated by cytidine-cytidine-adenosine-adenosine-thymidine (CCAAT)/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBP) ${\alpha}$, $C/EBP{\beta}$, and the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ gene and protein expressions. Moreover, SCME triggered lipolysis effects dose-dependently on adipocyte. Taken together, these results provide an important new insight into SCME, indicating that it possesses anti-obesity activity through pancreatic lipase inhibition, anti-adipogenic and lipolysis effects. SCME may therefore be utilized as a promising source in the field of nutraceuticals. The identification of active compounds that confer the anti-obesity activities of SCME may be a logical next step.

• Proceedings of the PSK Conference
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• 2003.04a
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• pp.140.2-140.2
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• 2003

Sauchinone, a lignan isolated from Saururus chinensis (Saururaceae), is a diastereomeric lignan with cytoprotective and antioxidant activities in cultured hepatocytes. The effects of sauchinone on the iNOS, TNF-$\alpha$ and COX-2 gene expression and on the activation of transcription factors, NF-$\kappa$B, C/EBP, AP-1 and CREB were determined in Raw264.7 cells as part of the studies on its anti-inflammatory effects. (omitted)

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.7
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• pp.895-900
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• 2012

The effects of three fractions, hexane (BHHH), chloroform (BHHC), and ethyl acetate (BHHE), from water extract of Benincasa hispida on the underlying mechanisms of adipogenesis were investigated in 3T3-L1 cells. Intracellular lipid droplets were stained with Oil Red O dye and quantified. Compared to control, lipid accumulation significantly decreased by 11% and 13% upon treatment with BHHC and BHHE, respectively at a concentration of 50 ${\mu}g/mL$. Intracellular triglyceride (TG) levels were also reduced by 21% and 16%, respectively, at the same concentration. To determine the mechanism behind the reductions in TG content and lipid accumulation, glycerol release and expression levels of adipogenic marker genes were measured. The levels of free glycerol released into culture medium increased by 13% and 17% upon treatment with BHHC and BHHE, respectively. In subsequent measurements using real-time polymerization chain reaction, the mRNA levels of $PPAR{\gamma}$, C/$EBP{\alpha}$, and leptin significantly decreased upon treatment with BHHE (45%, 67%, and 35%) in comparison with non-treated control. These results suggest that BHHE inhibits adipocyte differentiation by blocking $PPAR{\gamma}$, C/$EBP{\alpha}$, and leptin gene expression in 3T3-L1 cells, resulting in reduced lipid accumulation, increased glycerol release, and intracellular triglycerides.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.155-163
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• 2017

Mori Folium, the leaf of Morus alba, is a traditional medicinal herb that shows various pharmacological activities such as antiinflammatory, antidiabetic, antimelanogenesis, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiallergic, and immunomodulatory activities. However, the mechanisms of their inhibitory effects on adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis remain poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis by ethanol extracts of Mori Folium (EEMF) in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Treatment with EEMF suppressed the terminal differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner, as confirmed by a decrease in the lipid droplet number and lipid content through Oil Red O staining. EEMF significantly reduced the accumulation of cellular triglyceride, which is associated with a significant inhibition of pro-adipogenic transcription factors, including sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$), and CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$) and ${\beta}$ ($C/EBP{\beta}$). In addition, EEMF potentially downregulated the expression of adipocyte-specific genes, including adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (aP2) and leptin. Furthermore, EEMF treatment effectively increased the phosphorylation of the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC); however, treatment with a potent inhibitor of AMPK, compound C, significantly restored the EEMF-induced inhibition of pro-adipogenic transcription factors and adipocyte-specific genes. These results together indicate that EEMF has preeminent effects on the inhibition of adipogenesis through the AMPK signaling pathway, and further studies will be needed to identify the active compounds in Mori Folium.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.267-272
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• 2013

The anti-obesity effects of a hot water extract from wasabi (Wasabia japonica Matsum.) leaves (WLE), without its specific pungent constituents, such as allyl-isothiocyanate, were investigated in high fat-diet induced mice. C57J/BL mice were fed a high-fat diet (control group) or a high-fat diet supplemented with 5% WLE (WLE group). Physical parameters and blood profiles were determined. Gene expression associated with lipid metabolism in liver and white adipose tissue were analyzed. After 120 days of feeding, significantly lower body weight gain, liver weight and epididymal white adipose tissue weight was observed in the WLE group compared to the control group. In liver gene expression within the WLE group, PPAR${\alpha}$ was significantly enhanced and SREBP-1c was significantly suppressed. Subsequent downstream genes controlled by these regulators were significantly suppressed. In epididymal white adipose tissue of the WLE group, expression of leptin, PPAR${\gamma}$, and C/EBP${\alpha}$ were significantly suppressed and adiponectin was significantly enhanced. Acox, related to fatty acid oxidization in adipocytes, was also enhanced. Our results demonstrate that the WLE dietary supplement induces mild suppression of obesity in a high-fat diet induced mice, possibly due to suppression of lipid accumulation in liver and white adipose tissue.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.430-445
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• 2019

Natural edible waxes mixed with plant oils, containing high levels of unsaturated fatty acids (FAs), are known as oleogels. Oleogels are used for replacing saturated FAs in animal-derived food with unsaturated FAs. However, the health effects of edible waxes are not yet clearly defined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of FAs and natural waxes on the adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. The 3T3-L1 cells were differentiated and treated with FAs and waxes. These FAs [Palmitic acid (PA), Stearic acid (SA), Oleic acid (OA), Linoleic acid (LA), and Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)] and waxes [beeswax (BW) and carnauba wax (CW)] were prepared at varying concentrations, and cell toxicity, triglyceride accumulation, lipid droplets size, and distribution inside of cells were determined. Adipogenic gene expression including $PPAR{\gamma}$, FASN, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, SREBP-1, and CPT-1 was determined. Results showed that increasing the concentration of FAs and waxes led to a decrease in the adipocyte cells viability and metabolic performance. SA showed the highest level of triglyceride accumulation (p<0.05), whereas ALA showed the lowest (p<0.05). Both BW and CW at 3.0 ppm showed significantly higher lipid accumulation than in the control and other groups (p<0.05). ALA had significantly downregulated adipogenic gene expression levels, excluding those of CPT-1, compared to the other treatment groups (p<0.05). Moreover, BW demonstrated similar adipogenic gene expression levels as ALA compared to CW. Consequently, ALA and BW may have health benefits by reducing adipogenesis and can be used in processed meat.

• CELLMED
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.11.1-11.6
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• 2018

In vitro anti-obesity effects of anti-cancer (AC) functional kimchi in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were studied. We constructed three experimental groups: Control, standardized kimchi (SK), and AC functional kimchi (A-FK) that included active ingredients and Lactobacillus plantarum. Kimchi extracts did not show any cytotoxicity in pre-adipocytes in the concentration range of 1 - 5 mg/mL. A-FK significantly reduced fat droplet formation and absorbance in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes, as shown by Oil red O staining, compared to Control and SK (P < 0.05). SK and A-FK reduced adipo-/lipogenesis related genes such as $C/EBP{\alpha}$, SREBP-1, LPL, and $LXR{\alpha}$ compared to Control (P < 0.05). Especially, A-FK more greatly reduced SREBP-1 and LPL compared to SK (P < 0.05). A-FK up-regulated the ${\beta}$-oxidation related gene CPT-1c and down-regulated the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 compared to Control (P < 0.05). Based on the results, A-FK exhibited anti-obesity effects by inhibiting fat droplet formation and adipo-/lipogenesis related genes by regulating the ${\beta}$-oxidation related gene CPT-1c and pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6. In previous studies, A-FK kimchi already exhibited a strong anti-cancer effect. These results indicate that A-FK increased anti-obesity activity in this model system due to its functional ingredients and anti-cancer functionality.