Inhibitory Effects of Sasa borealis on Mechanisms of Adipogenesis

Abstract

Sasa borealis is a major source of bamboo leaves used for traditional medicine in Korea. Obesity is a serious health problem in industrialized countries that has been implicated in various diseases, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and coronary heart disease. Recent reports have proposed mechanisms to reduce obesity by decreasing preadipocyte differentiation, and proliferation in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte. The preadipocytes play a key role by differentiation into mature adipocytes and increasing fat mass. In this study, we investigated whether ethanol-soluble extracts and ethyl acetate-soluble fractions from Sasa borealis inhibits intracellular accumulation of lipid droplets in a dose-dependent manner in 3T3-L1 cells (an important model system for studying adipogenesis). The down-regulation of PPARγ and C/EBPα (key adipogenic transcription factors) were confirmed by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Ethyl acetate-soluble fractions from Sasa borealis attenuated the expression of PPARγ and C/EBPα. These results suggest that Sasa borealis inhibits adipogenic differentiation by regulating adipogenic transcription factors in 3T3-L1 cells. Therefore, Sasa borealis extracts may be a good candidate for the management of obesity.

Anti-Adipogenic Effects of Ethanol Extracts Prepared from Selected Medicinal Herbs in 3T3-L1 Cells

“…Previous studies have reported the anti-obesity activity of medicinal herb extracts, and it is important to inhibit adipogenesis for anti-obesity research ( 22 ). Recent studies reported that the anti-adipogenic activities of plant-based material such as amur grape root ( Vitis amurensis Ruprecht), chocolate vine leave ( Akebia quinata D.), and black ginseng ( 23 , 24 ). Furthermore, Shon et al reported that 20 types fruits and vegetables exhibited the anti-obesity effects via inhibition of lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes ( 25 ).…”

Antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities of the nuts of Castanopsis cuspidata var. thunbergii

“…Several natural plant extracts have been reported to have anti-adipogenic activities with their bioactive components playing important roles in the inhibition of adipogenesis [23]. Recent studies have reported the anti-adipogenic activities of plant-based materials such as amur grape roots (Vitis amurensis Ruprecht), chocolate vine leaves (Akebia quinata D.), and black ginseng [24,25], which indicate the immense potential of plants as a source of antiobesity compounds. The increased lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes has been observed to be correlated with elevated ROS levels which indicate that the ROS production is closely linked with lipid accumulation in adipocytes [26].…”