• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.507-512
• /
• 2010

In this study, we investigated the ability of luteolin, a plant derived flavonoid on hepatocarcinoma cell growth using HepG2 cell culture system. We found that luteolin increased the Smac/DIABLO releases, a mitochondrial protein that potentiates apoptosis. Luteolin also induced either transcriptional activity or expression of PPAR-gamma, a target of cancer growth that PPAR-gamma agonist sensitizes to apoptosis in certain cancer types. To find the possible upstream target molecules of PPAR-gamma activated by luteolin treatment, we used compound C, a specific inhibitor of AMP-activated protein kinase. Pre-treatment of Compound C significantly restored the activation or expression of PPAR-gamma stimulated by luteolin. This result indicated that AMPK signaling might be involved in the activation or expression of PPAR-gamma signaling pathway stimulated by luteolin. Moreover, we also found that luteolin inhibited the insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation as well as AICAR, a specific AMPK activator. These results propose that luteolin significantly induces cancer cell death through modulating survival signal pathways such as PPAR-gamma and Akt. AMPK signaling pathway may be an upstream regulator for survival signal pathways such as PPAR-gamma and Akt stimulated by luteolin.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.5
• /
• pp.2313-2318
• /
• 2014

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-${\gamma}$), a ligand-dependent nuclear transcription factor, has been found to widely exist in tumor tissues and plays an important role in affecting tumor cell growth. In this study, we investigated the effect of PPAR-${\gamma}$ on aspects of the cervical cancer malignant phenotype, such as cell proliferation and apoptosis. Cell growth assay, Western blotting, Annexin V and flow cytometry analysis consistently showed that treatment with troglitazone (TGZ, a PPAR-${\gamma}$ agonist) led to dose-dependent inhibition of cervical cancer cell growth through apoptosis, whereas T0070907 (another PPAR-${\gamma}$ antagonist) had no effect on Hela cell proliferation and apoptosis. Furthermore, we also detected the protein expression of p53, p21 and Mdm2 to explain the underlying mechanism of PPAR-${\gamma}$ on cellular apoptosis. Our work, finally, demonstrated the existence of the TGZ-PPAR-${\gamma}$-p53 signaling pathway to be a critical regulator of cell apoptosis. These results suggested that PPAR-${\gamma}$ may be a potential therapeutic target for cervical cancer.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• v.43 no.3
• /
• pp.442-451
• /
• 2019

Background: Ginseng has a wide range of beneficial effects on health, such as the mitigation of minor and major inflammatory diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. There are abundant data regarding the health-enhancing properties of whole ginseng extracts and single ginsenosides; however, no study to date has determined the receptors that mediate the effects of ginseng extracts. In this study, for the first time, we explored whether the antiinflammatory effects of Rg3-enriched red ginseng extract (Rg3-RGE) are mediated by retinoid X receptor ${\alpha}$-peroxisome-proliferating receptor ${\gamma}$ ($RXR{\alpha}-PPAR{\gamma}$) heterodimer nuclear receptors. Methods: Nitric oxide assay, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide assay, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, nuclear hormone receptor-binding assay, and molecular docking analyses were used for this study. Results: Rg3-RGE exerted antiinflammatory effects via nuclear receptor heterodimers between $RXR{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$ agonists and antagonists. Conclusion: These findings indicate that Rg3-RGE can be considered a potent antiinflammatory agent, and these effects are likely mediated by the nuclear receptor $RXR{\alpha}-PPAR{\gamma}$ heterodimer.

• KSBB Journal
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.57-60
• /
• 2012

In this study, we evaluated the effects of Biochanin A on glucose uptake in C2C12 myotube. We found that Biochanin A significantly stimulated 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-NBDG) uptake in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, AMPK and PPAR-gamma activities were markedly increased by Biochanin A in a dose-dependent manner. However, Akt, an insulin dependent signaling molecule, did not change by Biochanin A. These results suggest that Biochanin A stimulates glucose uptake via AMPK and PPAR-gamma pathways.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.25 no.6
• /
• pp.641-647
• /
• 2017

Galangin (3,5,7-trihydroxyflavone) is a polyphenolic compound abundant in honey and medicinal herbs, such as Alpinia officinarum. In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of galangin under in vitro and in vivo neuroinflammatory conditions caused by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)), a viral mimic dsRNA analog. Galangin suppressed the production of nitric oxide, reactive oxygen species, and pro-inflammatory cytokines in poly(I:C)-stimulated BV2 microglia. On the other hand, galangin enhanced anti-inflammatory interleukin (IL)-10 production. Galangin also suppressed the expression of pro-inflammatory markers in poly(I:C)-injected mouse brains. Further mechanistic studies showed that galangin inhibited poly(I:C)-induced nuclear factor (NF)-${\kappa}B$ activity and phosphorylation of Akt without affecting MAP kinases. Interestingly, galangin increased the expression and transcriptional activity of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-${\gamma}$, known to play an anti-inflammatory role. To investigate whether PPAR-${\gamma}$ is involved in the anti-inflammatory function of galangin, BV2 cells were pre-treated with PPAR-${\gamma}$ antagonist before treatment of galangin. We found that PPAR-${\gamma}$ antagonist significantly blocked galangin-mediated upregulation of IL-10 and attenuated the inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$ and IL-6 in poly(I:C)-stimulated microglia. In conclusion, our data suggest that PI3K/Akt, NF-${\kappa}B$, and PPAR-${\gamma}$ play a pivotal role in mediating the anti-inflammatory effects of galangin in poly(I:C)-stimulated microglia.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.28 no.10
• /
• pp.1645-1653
• /
• 2018

The genus Acer contains several species with various bioactivities including antioxidant, antitumor and anti-inflammatory properties. However, Acer okamotoanum Nakai, one species within this genus has not been fully studied yet. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the anti-adipogenic activities of leaf extract from A. okamotoanum Nakai (LEAO) on 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Adipogenesis is one of the cell differentiation processes, which converts preadipocytes into mature adipocytes. Nowadays, inhibition of adipogenesis is considered as an effective strategy in the field of anti-obesity research. In this study, we observed that LEAO decreased the accumulation of lipid droplets during adipogenesis and down-regulated the expression of key adipogenic transcription factors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ (PPAR ${\gamma}$) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein ${\alpha}$ (C/EBP ${\alpha}$). In addition, LEAO inactivated PI3K/Akt signaling and its downstream factors that promote adipogenesis by inducing the expression of PPAR ${\gamma}$. LEAO also activated ${\beta}$-catenin signaling, which prevents the adipogenic program by suppressing the expression of PPAR ${\gamma}$. Therefore, we found that treatment with LEAO is effective for attenuating adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Consequently, these findings suggest that LEAO has the potential to be used as a therapeutic agent for preventing obesity.

• Food Science of Animal Resources
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.787-794
• /
• 2010

Calcium plays a role as a signaling molecule in various cellular events. It has been reported that calcium suppresses adipocyte differentiation only in the early phase of adipogenesis. Herein, we demonstrate that treatment of A23187, a mobilizer of intracellular calcium, on day 4 post adipocyte differentiation could still reduce lipid accumulation in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells for 48 h. In addition, luciferase reporter gene and RT-Q-PCR assays demonstrate that A23187 can selectively inhibit transcriptional activities and expression of PPAR$\gamma$ and LXR$\alpha$, suggesting that A23187 may reduce lipid accumulation in the late phase of adipogenesis via downregulation of PPAR$\gamma$ and LXR$\alpha$ expression and transactivation. Moreover, inhibition of HDAC activity by trichostatin A (TSA) partially blocked A23187-mediated downregulation of transcriptional activities of PPAR$\gamma$ and LXR$\alpha$. Together, our data demonstrate that calcium mobilization inhibits expression and transcriptional activities of PPAR$\gamma$ and LXR$\alpha$, resulting in reduced lipid accumulation in differentiating adipocytes, and thus, mobilization of intracellular calcium in adipocytes may serve as a new preventive and therapeutic approach for obesity.

• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.40 no.6
• /
• pp.393-400
• /
• 2017

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by lack of insulin and high glucose levels. T2DM can cause bone loss and fracture, thus leading to diabetic osteoporosis. Promoting osteogenic differentiation of osteoblasts may effectively treat diabetic osteoporosis. We previously reported that Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1), a $NAD^+$-dependent deacetylase, promotes osteogenic differentiation through downregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) ${\gamma}$. We also found that miR-132 regulates osteogenic differentiation by downregulating Sirt1 in a $PPAR{\beta}/{\delta}$-dependent manner. The ligand-activated transcription factor, $PPAR{\alpha}$, is another isotype of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor family that helps maintain bone homeostasis and promot bone formation. Whether the regulatory role of $PPAR{\alpha}$ in osteogenic differentiation is mediated via Sirt1 remains unclear. In the present study, we aimed to determine this role and the underlying mechanism by using high glucose (HG) and free fatty acids (FFA) to mimic T2DM in MC3T3-E1 cells. The results showed that HG-FFA significantly inhibited expression of $PPAR{\alpha}$, Sirt1 and osteogenic differentiation, but these effects were markedly reversed by $PPAR{\alpha}$ overexpression. Moreover, siSirt1 attenuated the positive effects of $PPAR{\alpha}$ on osteogenic differentiation, suggesting that $PPAR{\alpha}$ promotes osteogenic differentiation in a Sirt1-dependent manner. Luciferase activity assay confirmed interactions between $PPAR{\alpha}$ and Sirt1. These findings indicate that $PPAR{\alpha}$ promotes osteogenic differentiation via the Sirt1-dependent signaling pathway.

• Journal of Life Science
• /
• v.27 no.3
• /
• pp.289-294
• /
• 2017

Diabetes mellitus is associated with insulin resistance, which leads to down-regulation of insulin signaling and the decreased glucose uptake. Adipocytes are sensitive to insulin, and closely implicated in insulin resistance and diabetes. Insulin stimulates differentiation of preadipocytes to adipocytes, and increases glucose transport. Allium species have been used as traditional medicine and health-promoting foods. Allium hookeri (A. hookeri) is reported to improve the pancreatic ${\beta}-cell$ damage and exhibit pancreatic anti-inflammatory activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. We investigated whether A. hookeri extract (AHE) may stimulate glucose uptake in adipocytes through increasing insulin sensitivity. AHE enhanced fat accumulation, a differentiation biomarker, under the partial induction of differentiation by insulin. $PPAR{\gamma}$, a transcription factor highly expressed in adipocytes, promotes adipocyte differentiation and insulin sensitivity. AHE increased the differentiation of preadipocytes through up-regulation of $PPAR{\gamma}$. The activation of $PPAR{\gamma}$ increases the GLUT4 expression during adipocyte differentiation. GLUT4 is responsible for glucose uptake into the adipocytes. AHE increased the expression of GLUT4 in adipocytes, and subsequently enhanced the insulin-stimulated glucose uptake. These results suggest that AHE promotes adipocyte differentiation through activation of $PPAR{\gamma}$, and leads to enhance glucose uptake in adipocytes along with GLUT4 up-regulation. Thus, AHE may be effective for the insulin-sensitizing and anti-diabetic activities.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.30 no.5
• /
• pp.1035-1041
• /
• 2017

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a major catechin found in green tea. It is reported that EGCG possesses various health benefits including anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-diabetes, and anti-obesity. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of EGCG on adipogenesis via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. In order to determine the effects of EGCG on adipogenesis, preadipocyte differentiation was induced in the presence or absence of EGCG ($0{\sim}100{\mu}M$) for a period of 6 days. EGCG significantly inhibited fat accumulation and suppressed the expression of adipogenic specific proteins including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-${\gamma}$. Also, EGCG markedly increased the activation of AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, any pretreatment with a specific AMPK inhibitor, compound C, abolished the inhibitory effects of the EGCG on $PPAR{\gamma}$ expression. This study suggests that EGCG has anti-adipogenic effects through modulation of the AMPK signaling pathway and therefore, may be a promising antiobesity agent.