Anti-Adipogenic Activity of Rhaponticum carthamoides and Its Secondary Metabolites

Abstract

Besides their common use as an adaptogen, Rhaponticum carthamoides (Willd.) Iljin. rhizome and its root extract (RCE) are also reported to beneficially affect lipid metabolism. The main characteristic secondary metabolites of RCE are phytoecdysteroids. In order to determine an RCE’s phytoecdysteroid profile, a novel, sensitive, and robust high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method was developed and validated. Moreover, a comparative analysis was conducted to investigate the effects of RCE and its secondary metabolites on adipogenesis and adipolysis. The evaluation of the anti-adipogenic and lipolytic effects was performed using human Simpson–Golabi–Behmel syndrome cells, where lipid staining and measurement of released glycerol and free fatty acids were employed. The HPTLC method confirmed the presence of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E), ponasterone A (PA), and turkesterone (TU) in RCE. The observed results revealed that RCE, 20E, and TU significantly reduced lipid accumulation in human adipocytes, demonstrating their anti-adipogenic activity. Moreover, RCE and 20E were found to effectively stimulate basal lipolysis. However, no significant effects were observed with PA and TU applications. Based on our findings, RCE and 20E affect both lipogenesis and lipolysis, while TU only restrains adipogenesis. These results are fundamental for further investigations.

Ecdysterone and Turkesterone—Compounds with Prominent Potential in Sport and Healthy Nutrition

“…Ecdysterone possesses an anti-adipogenic effect, which may be important for future studies on ecdysterone in obesity treatment [69]. Moreover, the effects on cell lines are associated with endothelial dysfunction prevention, osteoporosis prevention, glucose regulation, cytotoxic effects, antibacterial properties, immunomodulatory effects, and anti-inflammatory activities [52][53][54][55][56][57][58][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73]. Within these studies, no serious effects were reported [52][53][54][55][56][57][58][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73].…”

“…The data suggest that ecdysterone's biological effects are associated with histamine release inhibition [54] and neuroprotective effects [55] and show promising therapeutic potential in Alzheimer's disease [55]. Ecdysterone possesses an anti-adipogenic effect, which may be important for future studies on ecdysterone in obesity treatment [69]. Moreover, the effects on cell lines are associated with endothelial dysfunction prevention, osteoporosis prevention, glucose regulation, cytotoxic effects, antibacterial properties, immunomodulatory effects, and anti-inflammatory activities [52][53][54][55][56][57][58][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73].…”

“…Moreover, the effects on cell lines are associated with endothelial dysfunction prevention, osteoporosis prevention, glucose regulation, cytotoxic effects, antibacterial properties, immunomodulatory effects, and anti-inflammatory activities [52][53][54][55][56][57][58][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73]. Within these studies, no serious effects were reported [52][53][54][55][56][57][58][60][61][62][63][64][65][66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73]. 20-hydroxyecdysone has various pharmacological effects, demonstrating its potential as a therapeutic agent in numerous states, including allergy responses, neurological illnesses, cancer, and inflammatory disorders.…”

“…Rhaponticum carthamoides extract, ecdysterone and turkesterone reduced lipid accumulation in human adipocytes and R. carthamoides and ecdysterone stimulated lipolysis. [69] Influence of R. carthamoides transformed roots extract on the growth of grade II and III human glioma cells. Human primary glioma cell lines (grade II and III astrocytoma).…”

“…Ajugasterone C from R. carthamoides exhibited lower toxicity than 20HE. [132] Extracts from R. carthamoides show a variety of activities, including antibacterial, cytotoxic, anti-adipogenic, and antioxidant [69,[121][122][123][124][125][126][127][128][129][130][131][132]. The investigations into R. carthamoides revealed that its extracts are low in toxicity [69,[121][122][123][124][125][126][127][128][129][130][131][132].…”