• 동의생리병리학회지
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• 제33권1호
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• pp.17-24
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• 2019

Cymbopogon citratus, commonly know as lemongrass, prossesses strong antioxidant, anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties. Howerver, its anti-obesity activity remains to be elucidated. This study investigated the effect of ethanol extract of Cymbopogon citratus on adipogenesis, and its underlying mechanism, in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The results demonstrated that ethanol extracts of Cymbopogon citratus effectively suppressed intercellular lipid accumulation at non-toxic concentrations, and was associated with the down-regulation of adipocyte-specific transcription factors, including $C/EBP{\alpha}$ and $PPAR{\gamma}$, and phosphorylation of $AMPK{\alpha}$. Furthermore, ethanol extracts of Cymbopogon citratus increased p21 and p21 expression, while the expression of CDK2, cyclin A and cyclin B1 was reduced. As a result, ethanol extracts of Cymbopogon citratus seems to induce G0/G1 cell cycle arrest of 3T3-L1 cells. On the other hand, ERK and Akt signaling pathways were not involved in anti-adipogenesis by ethanol extracts of Cymbopogon citratus. Taken together, theses results suggest that ethanol extracts of Cymbopogon citratus inhibits adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 cells and can be used as a safe and efficient natural substance to manage anti-obesity.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제11권4호
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• pp.73-82
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• 2023

Purpose : Cymbopogon citratus, also known as lemongrass, has widely spread around the world and its essential oil is usually applied in food, perfume, and other industrial purposes. In addition, C. citratus has also been used for the treatment of inflammation, digestive disorders, and diabetes in traditional medicine. In this study, the antioxidative activity of C. citratus ethanol extract (CCEE) was analyzed in RAW 264.7 cells through the induction of one of phase II enzymes, heme oxygenase (HO)-1 by nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor (Nrf)2, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt. Methods : The antioxidative activity of CCEE against oxidative stress and its underlying molecular mechanisms were analyzed by the cell viability assay, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation assay, and Western blot analysis in RAW 264.7 cells. Results : The results exhibited that CCEE potently attenuated tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP) induced intracellular ROS levels in a dose-dependent manner without any cytotoxicity. CCEE treatment significantly induced the expression of HO-1 which is known for its antioxidative capacity. In addition, CCEE treatment significantly upregulated the expression of Nrf2, a corresponding transcription factor for the regulation of antioxidative enzymes, which was in accordance with the HO-1 overexpression. MAPK and PI3K/Akt were also evaluated for their important roles in the regulation of cellular redox homeostasis against oxidative damage. As a result, the potent HO-1 expression was mediated by not extracellular regulated kinase (ERK), c-Jun NH2 terminal kinase (JNK), p38, but phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) phosphorylation. To confirm the antioxidative activity of CCEE-induced HO-1 expression, oxidative damage was initiated by t-BHP and attenuated by CCEE treatment, which was identified by HO-1 selective inhibitor and inducer. Conclusion : Consequently, CCEE potently induced the HO-1-mediated antioxidative potential through the modulation of Nrf2 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in RAW 264.7 cells. These results suggest that CCEE could be a promising strategy for the mitigation against cellular oxidative damage.