Nelumbo nucifera Leaf Extract Regulates Lipid Metabolism and Differentiation in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes and db/db Mice

Obesity is a complex metabolic disorder that increases the risk for type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. In this study, we evaluated the anti-obesity effects of Nelumbo nucifera leaf (NL) extract in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and obese db/db mice. NL extract among various parts (leaf, seed, and root) of N. nucifera most effectively reduced adipogenesis via inhibiting CCAAT enhancer binding protein α (C/EBPα) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The addition of NL extract enhanced the protein expression of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) as compared to untreated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The oral administration of NL extract (100 mg/kg BW) significantly reduced food efficacy ratio, body weight, and face or total cholesterol level in obese db /db mice. Also, administration of NL extract significantly decreased adipocyte size and C/EBPα or PPARγ expression in the adipose tissues as compared with control (obese db/db mice). Therefore, our results suggest that NL extract among various parts of N. nucifera could be used as a functional food ingredient for the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases including obesity and diabetes.

Korean Chungtaejeon tea extract attenuates body weight gain in C57BL/6J-Lep ob/ob mice and regulates adipogenesis and lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes / 中西医结合学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Traditional Korean Chungtaejeon (CTJ) tea is a type of fermented tea, which has received increasing attention in recent years because of its purported health benefits. The present study was designed to investigate the effect and mechanism of CTJ tea extract on body weight gain using C57BL/6J-Lep ob/ob mice and 3T3-L1 adipocytes, respectively.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The effects of CTJ on cell viability, lipid accumulation, and expression of protein and mRNA were measured in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, oil red O staining, Western blotting, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analyses. C57BL6J-Lep ob/ob mice were administered with CTJ (200 or 400 mg/kg body weight) for ten weeks. Then, body weight, food intake, total cholesterol, and triglyceride were measured in ob/ob mice.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>CTJ tea extract treated at 250 μg/mL (CTJ250) significantly suppressed lipid accumulation in the differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Likewise, CTJ250 significantly decreased the protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α, and adipocyte lipid-binding protein, and regulated the mRNA expression of PPARγ, sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c gene, fatty acid synthase, adipocyte lipid-binding protein, hormone-sensitive lipase, carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1, cluster of differentiation 36, and acetyl-CoA carboxylase in the differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Mice administered with CTJ showed dose-dependent decrease in body weight gain, starting from week 4 of the experiment. CTJ tea extract administered at 400 mg/kg body weight significantly decreased fat mass, food efficacy ratio, and levels of plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CTJ attenuated weight gain in ob/ob mice and regulated the activity of the molecules involved in adipogenesis and lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. CTJ is a potentially valuable herbal therapy for the prevention of obesity and/or obesity-related disorders.</p>

Beneficial Effect of Lespedeza cuneata (G. Don) Water Extract on Streptozotocin-induced Type 1 Diabetes and Cytokine-induced Beta-cell Damage

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-diabetic effects of the water extract of Lespedeza cuneata (LCW) using rat insulinoma (RIN) m5F cells and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The effect of LCW on the protection of pancreatic beta cells was assessed using MTT assay, and nitric oxide production was assessed using Griess reagent. STZ-induced diabetic rats were treated with 100 and 400 mg/kg body weight of LCW for 5 weeks. In results, LCW significantly protected cytokine-induced toxicity and NO production, and increased insulin secretion in RINm5F cells. LCW significantly decreased serum blood glucose, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) levels, and renal fibronectin expression in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Also, LCW effectively improved BW loss in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Thus, our results suggest that LCW has a beneficial effect on cytokine-induced pancreatic beta cell damage and biomarkers of diabetic complication in hyperglycemic rats.

Anti-diabetic effects of Caulerpa lentillifera: Stimulation of insulin secretion in pancreatic ß-cells and enhancement of glucose uptake in adipocytes

Objective: To evaluate anti-diabetic effect of Caulerpa lentillifera (C. lentillifera). Methods: The inhibitory effect of C. lentillifera extract on dipeptidyl peptidase-IV and α-glucosidase enzyme was measured in a cell free system. Then, interleukin-1ß and interferon-γ induced cell death and insulin secretion were measured in rat insulinoma (RIN) cells by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and ELISA kit, respectively. Glucose uptake and glucose transporter expression were measured by fluorometry and western blotting, using 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Results: C. lentillifera extract significantly decreased dipeptidyl peptidase-IV and α-glucosidase enzyme activities, and effectively inhibited cell death and iNOS expression in interleukin-1ß and interferon-γ induced RIN cells. Furthermore, C. lentillifera extract significantly enhanced insulin secretion in RIN cells and glucose transporter expression and glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Conclusions: Thus, our results suggest that C. lentillifera could be used as a potential anti-diabetic agent.

Anti-diabetic effects of Caulerpa lentillifera: stimulation of insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells and enhancement of glucose uptake in adipocytes

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate anti-diabetic effect of Caulerpa lentillifera (C. lentillifera).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The inhibitory effect of C. lentillifera extract on dipeptidyl peptidase-IV and α-glucosidase enzyme was measured in a cell free system. Then, interleukin-1β and interferon-γ induced cell death and insulin secretion were measured in rat insulinoma (RIN) cells by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and ELISA kit, respectively. Glucose uptake and glucose transporter expression were measured by fluorometry and western blotting, using 3T3-L1 adipocytes.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>C. lentillifera extract significantly decreased dipeptidyl peptidase-IV and α-glucosidase enzyme activities, and effectively inhibited cell death and iNOS expression in interleukin-1β and interferon-γ induced RIN cells. Furthermore, C. lentillifera extract significantly enhanced insulin secretion in RIN cells and glucose transporter expression and glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Thus, our results suggest that C. lentillifera could be used as a potential anti-diabetic agent.</p>