• Journal of Life Science
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• v.32 no.12
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• pp.979-988
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• 2022

Halophytes have been reported to possess a variety of physiological activities, such as anti-cancer, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetes, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity. Studies on the roots of the halophyte Rosa rugosa, in particular, have shown a variety of physiological activities and are known to be effective for nursing diabetic complications in traditional Korean medicine. In this study, the effect of R. rugosa on adipogenesis was investigated in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes treated with crude extract and solvent fractions (H₂O, n-BuOH, 85% aq. MeOH, and n-Hex) obtained from R. rugosa roots. Treatment with extract and the solvent fractions inhibited the formation of intracellular lipid droplets in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes compared to the untreated group. In particular, n-BuOH and 85% aq. MeOH fractions effectively decreased the expression of adipogenic transcription factors: peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) in both mRNA and protein levels. In conclusion, these results suggest that R. rugosa contains anti-adipogenic molecules that can be utilized as a nutraceutical against obesity. Further refining of n-BuOH and 85% aq. MeOH fractions and analysis of their action mechanisms could yield potential therapeutic agents with anti-adipogenic effects.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.96-102
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• 2013

Obesity, an intractable metabolic disease, currently has no medical treatment without side effects, so studies have been actively carried out to find natural compounds that have anti-obesity activity with minimum side effects. In this study, the anti-obesity effects of water extracts of seven Capsicum annuum L. varieties being Putgochu (Pca), Oyee gochu (Oca), Kwari putgochu (Kca), Green pepper (Gca), Yellow paprika (Yca), Red paprika (Rca) and Cheongyang gochu (Cca), were examined through the evaluation of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) mRNA expression level in 3T3-L1 cells (mouse pre-adipocytes). After capsaicin elimination by chloroform defatting, freeze-dried powder of Cca was treated to 3T3-L1 cells and anti-obesity effects were examined by determining the LPL mRNA level using the RT-PCR method. Of the primary fractions, only proven fractions underwent secondary and tertiary refractionating to determine anti-obesity effects. From seven different Capsicum annuum L., there was a significant decrease of the LPL mRNA expression level of 50.9% in Cca treatment compared to the control group. A significant decrease of the LPL mRNA expression level was shown in primary fractions (Fr) 5 (36.2% decrease) and 6 (30.5% decrease) of the Cca water extracts. Due to the impurities checked by UPLC chromatography, Fr 5 and 6 were refractionated to determine the LPL mRNA expression level. Treatment of Fr 6-6 (35.8% decrease) and Fr 5-6 (35.3% decrease) showed a significant decrease in the LPL mRNA expression level. When analyzed using UPLC, major compounds of Fr 6-6 and Fr 5-6 were very similar. Subsequently, we refractionated Fr 6-6 and Fr 5-6 to isolate the major peak for structure elucidation. Treatment of Fr 5-6-1 (26.6% decrease) and Fr 6-6-1 (29.7% decrease) showed a significant decrease in the LPL mRNA expression level. Consequently, the fractions may have a possibility to ameliorate obesity through the decrease of the LPL mRNA expression level.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.49-54
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• 2012

The effects of genistein on cell proliferation and adipogenesis were examined in mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells. Genistein decreased viability of 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Oil Red O staining of these cells also indicated that adipogenesis was inhibited by 50 ${\mu}M$ genistein treatment. We investigated the molecular mechanisms involved in the decrease in cell viability in genistein-treated 3T3-L1 cells by conducting an oligo DNA microarray analysis. We selected the sirtuin-1 gene, one of the upregulated genes, for further experimentation because sirtuin-1 belongs to the sirtuin family, which is associated with anti-obesity and anti-inflammation activities. We found that four phytochemicals (resveratrol, capsaicin, daidzein, and genistein) could increase sirtuin-1 expression. Genistein was the strongest inducer of sirtuin-1 among the tested phytochemicals. The inhibition of adipogenesis by genistein was recovered by surtuin-1 siRNA transfection. Overall, these results may further our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the inhibition of proliferation and adipogenesis by genistein in mouse 3T3-L1 cells.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.10
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• pp.713-722
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• 2024

Zanthoxylum schinifolium Siebold et Zuccarini, which belongs to the Rutaceae family, has been widely used as a spice and medicinal herb in East Asian countries, such as Korea, China, and Japan. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity mechanism of the methanol extract from the leaves of Z. schinifolium (MEZS). Using the 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte model, our findings showed that MEZS significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation and fat formation induced by adipocyte differentiation inducer in a dose-dependent manner. MEZS' anti-obesity effects could be attributed to their ability to block the expression of adipogenic transcription factors, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα), and C/EBPβ, and adipocyte-specific genes, such as adipocyte-specific lipid binding protein, leptin, and fatty acid synthase. MEZS also attenuated the activation of the phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway, and when the PI3K/Akt pathway was artificially blocked, the inhibitory effect of MEZS on adipocyte differentiation and fat formation was further enhanced. Furthermore, MEZS blocked the generation of reactive oxygen species in differentiated adipocytes, which was associated with the activation of the nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) and induction of Nrf2 downstream proteins, such as heme oxygenase 1 and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1. Although analysis of the physiologically active substances contained in MEZS and validation in animal models are required, the results of this study suggest that the extract of Z. schinifolium leaves has excellent potential as a food or pharmaceutical material with anti-obesity effects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.279-288
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• 2017

This study investigated the manufacturing of fermented soybean oil using a fermenting strain commonly processed for soybeans [Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (BA), Bacillus subtilis (BS), Lactobacillus acidophilus (LBA), and B. subtilis+L. acidophilus (BLO)] and evaluated its anti-obesity activities. Cytotoxicity of four kinds of fermented soybean oils was not observed in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes at 10 and $50{\mu}g/mL$. Triglyceride content was reduced by 20.6% in the BLO group at a treatment concentration of $50{\mu}g/mL$. The simultaneous treatment of fermented soybean oil and differentiation induction medium decreased $PPAR{\gamma}$ and $C/EBP{\alpha}$ gene expression at a concentration of $50{\mu}g/mL$ and blocked adipocyte differentiation by increasing adiponectin gene expression. The inhibitory effect of adipocyte differentiation was greatest in the BLO group. C57BL/6J mice were examined for 4 weeks after being separated into seven groups [normal diet group (N), high fat diet group (C), group fed high fat diet combined with regular soybean oil (SO), group fed non-fermented soybean oil (NF), and groups fed high fat diet combined with 5% fermented soybean oil (BA, BS, LBA, and BLO)] to identify the effects of soybean oil on body weight, serum lipid, adiponectin, insulin, and leptin levels in mice with high fat diet-induced obesity. The body weight and serum lipid level of the C group increased drastically compared to those of the N group. In contrast, the group fed a diet combined with fermented soybean oil showed decreases in weight, serum total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels compared to those of the C group. Moreover, soybean oil was found to be effective in the BLO group. In conclusion, fermented soybean oil has positive effects in prohibiting adipocyte differentiation increased by high fat diet and improving serum lipid composition. Therefore, fermented soybean oil can be used as a functional food material with anti-obesity activity.

• Food Science and Preservation
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.97-106
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• 2014

This study was performed in order to investigate the anti-obesity effect of Polygala tenuifolia on lipid mechanism in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The chemical composition of the P. tenuifolia was analyzed in order to assess its nutritional value. Total dietary fiber was the highest among the proximate component of the P. tenuifolia. These results showed that the P. tenuifolia may be used as a potential functional ingredient for anti-obesity effect. Intracellular lipid droplets in the adipocyte were stained with oil-red O dye and quantified. In comparison to the control, lipid accumulation was significantly decreased by 40.1% and 22.4% when treated with the water extract and 70% EtOH extract of the P. tenuifolia at the concentration of $10{\mu}g/mL$, respectively. The anti-adipogenic effect of the water extract was stronger than that of the 70% EtOH extract. The gene expression levels were measured via Western blot and real-time PCR. As a result, the water extract was found to have decrease the gene expression of SREBP-1c, PPAR, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, FAS, ACC in a dose-dependent manner. These indicate that the water extract inhibits pre-adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis by blocking the SREBP-1c gene expression in 3T3-L1 cells. Therefore, P. tenuifolia can be used as an effective anti-obesity agent.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.250-257
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• 2019

Purpose: Aster glehnii (AG) and Aster yomena (AY) are medicinal plants that belong to the family Compositea and grow widely in Korea. Plants in the genus Aster have been used to treat snakebite wounds or bruises in oriental medicine. This study compared the effects of anti-oxidants and anti-adipocyte differentiation according to the species (the aerial parts of AG and AY). Methods: AG and AY were extracted using 70% ethanol (-E) and water (-W) at room temperature. The anti-oxidant activities were measured by total phenol contents (TPC), total flavonoid contents (TFC), DPPH and $ABTS^+$ assay. In addition, correlation analysis was performed for the anti-oxidant compounds and effect. The level of anti-adipocyte differentiation was assessed using an oil red O assay on pre-adipocytes. Results: AG-W showed higher TPC ($6.92{\mu}g/mL$) and AG-E presented higher TFC ($8.22{\mu}g/mL$) than the other extracts. Furthermore, AG-E exhibited higher radical scavenging activity in the DPPH and $ABTS^+$ assay ($IC_{50}$: 104.88 and $30.06{\mu}g/mL$). In the cytotoxicity assay, AG and AY extracts at concentrations less than $100{\mu}g/mL$ were non toxic. AG-W reduced the lipid accumulation of 3T3-L1 cells significantly after differentiation (70.49%) compared to the other extracts. Conclusion: These results show that the water extract of AG has anti-oxidant effects and reduces the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Therefore, AG has utility as a functional food material for its anti-oxidant activities and ability to prevent lipid accumulation.

• Journal of Mushroom
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.300-309
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• 2021

This study was conducted to develop food and medicinal products containing useful components of Lentinula edodes in Codonopsis lanceolata and Platycodon grandiflorus for use as herbal medicine. We manufactured C. lanceolata (FCLM) and P. grandiflorus (FPLM) extract fermented with L. edodes mycelium. The effect of the two fermented products on proximate composition, free sugar, organic acid, 𝛽-glucan, ergothioneine, ergosterol, and vitamin D₂ levels, and 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cell growth were studied. The proximate composition analysis results showed that the crude fiber and crude fat content in FCLM was higher than that in FPLM, and the crude protein and soluble nitrogen content in FPLM was higher than that in FCLM. Free sugar analysis detected arabinose, glucose, and sucrose in both FCLM and FPLM, and the total free sugar content was high in FPLM. The organic acid content was lower in FCLM and FPLM compared to C. lanceolata and P. grandiflorus before fermentation. The 𝛽-glucan content was higher than that of L. edodes used as a control in both fermented products, FCLM and FPLM. The content of ergothioneine, an antioxidant, was higher in FCLM than in FPLM. Ergosterol content was highest in L. edodes which was used as a control, and the two fermented products showed similar content. Vitamin D₂ was detected only in FCLM and FPLM, and FPLM (0.58±0.01 mg%) showed a higher vitamin D₂ content than FCLM (0.47±0.01). FCLM and FPLM showed a higher level of cell viability for 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes compared to non-fermented C. lanceolata and P. grandiflorus. In addition, FCLM and FPLM inhibited 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation more than C. lanceolata and P. grandiflorus before fermentation, which may exert an anti-obesity effect.