Antiobesity Effects of Unripe Rubus coreanus Miquel and Its Constituents: An In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization of the Underlying Mechanism

Abstract

Background. The objective of the present study was to perform a bioguided fractionation of unripe Rubus coreanus Miquel (uRC) and evaluate the lipid accumulation system involvement in its antiobesity activity as well as study the uRC mechanism of action. Results. After the fractionation, the BuOH fraction of uRC (uRCB) was the most active fraction, suppressing the differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, after an oral administration for 8 weeks in HFD-induced obese mice, uRCB (10 and 50 mg/kg/day) produced a significant decrease in body weight, food efficiency ratio, adipose tissue weight and LDL-cholesterol, serum glucose, TC, and TG levels. Similarly, uRCB significantly suppressed the elevated mRNA levels of PPARγ in the adipose tissue in vivo. Next, we investigated the antiobesity effects of ellagic acid, erycibelline, 5-hydroxy-2-pyridinemethanol, m-hydroxyphenylglycine, and 4-hydroxycoumarin isolated from uRCB. Without affecting cell viability, five bioactive compounds decreased the lipid accumulation in the 3T3-L1 cells and the mRNA expression levels of key adipogenic genes such as PPARγ, C/EBPα, SREBP-1c, ACC, and FAS. Conclusion. These results suggest that uRC and its five bioactive compounds may be a useful therapeutic agent for body weight control by downregulating adipogenesis and lipogenesis.

The herbal formula KH-204 is protective against erectile dysfunction by minimizing oxidative stress and improving lipid profiles in a rat model of erectile dysfunction induced by hypercholesterolaemia

“…We did not examine, however, why the lipid profile was improved by KH-204 treatment. Although some reports have described the antiobesity and hypolipidemic effects of Lycium chinense Miller and Rubus coreanus Miquel [ 24 , 25 ], there is little scholarly evidence available that would explain the improvement in lipid profile seen in our study. Thus, further study should be conducted to elucidate the hypolipidemic mechanisms of this formula.…”

“…et Zucc, Lycium chinense Miller, Rubus coreanus Miquel, Cuscuta chinensis Lam, and Schisandra chinensis Baillon. Several studies have reported that each herb or various combinations of these herbs have a number of beneficial properties, including antioxidant [ 13 – 18 ], anti-inflammatory [ 15 , 19 ], anti-apoptotic [ 17 , 20 , 21 ], anti-fibrotic [ 15 , 22 , 23 ], and hypolipidemic effects [ 24 , 25 ] in multiple diseases. These herbs have been widely used in Korea as medicines for many years.…”

Endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent vasorelaxant effects of unripe Rubus coreanus Miq. and Dendropanax morbiferus H. Lév. extracts on rat aortic rings

“…Unripe R. coreanus is a functional food or nutraceutical supplement that is useful for the prevention of noncommunicable diseases, especially cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). We previously reported the effects of a 5% ethanol extract of unripe R. coreanus (5-uRCK) on CVD-related diseases such as hyperlipidemia and obesity [3][4][5][6]. The effects of this extract may reduce the risk for CVDs, including hypertension, atherosclerosis, stroke and myocardial infarction.…”

Effect of Phyllanthus emblica L. fruit on improving regulation of methylglyoxal-induced insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 cells

“…Obesity is caused by imbalances in energy intake and energy expenditure, and excessive energy tends to form triacylglycerols that accumulate in cells to make cell hypertrophy (Fruhbeck et al, 2001). PPARγ and C/EBPα can activate ACC and FAS to increase the efficiency of lipid synthesis (Oh et al, 2016). The results showed that WEPE can reduce the protein expressions of PPARγ and C/EBPα (Figure 5b), and thus inhibit the p-ACC and FAS proteins (Figure 5c) to reduce fat accumulation in adipocytes.…”