Hypolipidemic Effects of Ethanol Extracts of Citrus depressa and Annona atemoya, Typical Plant Foodstuffs in Okinawa, Japan on KKAy Mice Fed with Moderately High Fat Diet

Abstract

Okinawa is an isolated island prefecture of Japan and is known for the longest life expectancy and low disability rate. We therefore focused on the effects of traditional Okinawan fruits Citrus depressa and Annona atemoya consumed by the Okinawan population. Repeated oral administration of ethanol extracts of C. depressa and A. atemoya potently lowered the plasma triglyceride (TG) concentrations of KKAy mice fed a moderately high fat diet for 4 weeks. Since diet intake and body weight were not reduced following administration of the C. depressa extract, TG absorption from the intestine is unlikely inhibited by this extract. Our previous study showed that the A. atemoya extract possesses a potent inhibitory effect on adipogenesis of 3T3 adipocytes. Thus, reduced fatty acid mobilization from the adipose tissue by the A. atemoya extract may result in the reduction in TG synthesis in the liver. This is the first report on the hypolipidemic effects of C. depressa and A. atemoya. Their extracts of these fruits are expected to be useful for the prevention of life style-related diseases.

Antioxidant properties and bioactive constituents of some rare exotic Thai fruits and comparison with conventional fruits

“…Similarly, repeated oral administration of ethanol extracts of C. depressa and A. atemoya potently lowered the plasma triglyceride (TG) concentrations of KKAy mice fed a moderately high-fat diet for 4 weeks. Thus, reduced fatty acid mobilization from the adipose tissue by the A. atemoya extract may result in the reduction in TG synthesis in the liver (Beppu et al, 2009). Our results corresponded with this report on the hypolipidemic effects of C. depressa and A. atemoya.…”

“…Valcheva-Kuzmanova et al (2007) used as a part of a rat's diet Aronia melanocarpa juice which is rich in anthocyanins. Beppu et al (2009) have studied the hypolipidemic effects of ethanol extracts of Citrus depressa and Annona atemoya on KKAy mice fed with moderately high-fat diet. In spite of the reviewed data, it was interesting to compare the exotic fruits as supplementation of the diets in the present study.…”

Traditional Food Items in Ogimi, Okinawa: l-Serine Content and the Potential for Neuroprotection

“…Hypnea charoides and Ulva lactuca have been found by previous investigators to be good sources of l -serine [42, 43]. Wakame may also serve to reduce serum and lower triacylglycerol [44], while the fruits of C. depressa , which is the most frequently consumed food item in Ogimi village, have clear hypolipidemic effects, which together with the antioxidants present in the fruit reduce the risk of lifestyle disease [45]. …”

The Phytochemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Annona atemoya: A Systematic Review

“…The ethanolic fruit extract of A. atemoya was investigated for its hypolipidemic effects using female KKAy mice at one month of age [ 48 ]. For four weeks, the female KKAy mice were fed a high fat diet.…”

“…For four weeks, the female KKAy mice were fed a high fat diet. Oral administration of ethanolic fruit extract of A. atemoya at doses of 125 and 500 mg/kg to the female KKAy mice led to a significant inhibition of plasma triglyceride concentrations and the hypolipidemic effect might be through diminished fatty acid mobilization [ 48 ]. The hypolipidemic mechanism of the ethanolic fruit extract is not reported, although the authors claim that in a previous study [ 49 ], both the hexane and ethanolic extracts of A. atemoya fruit (along with many other popular Okinawa food stuffs) inhibited adipogenesis activity in 3T3-L1 cells by 50% or more.…”