ABSTRACT
The Chinese prescription Kangen-karyu, comprised of six crude drugs, has received much attention due to its numerous biological activities. The present study was conducted to examine whether Kangen-karyu has an ameliorative effect on dyslipidemia. The effect of Kangen-karyu was evaluated using 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and also db/db mice as an experimental model for diabetic dyslipidemia. Kangen-karyu significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation. Kangen-karyu also down-regulated the mRNA levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ, sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c, and fatty acid synthase, and the protein levels of aP2 and PPARγ, which indicates that Kangen-karyu inhibited adipogenesis during adipocyte differentiation, and may have potential anti-dyslipidemia effects. In addition, the administration of Kangen-karyu reduced hyperlipidemia in db/db type 2 diabetic mice through a decline in the serum levels of lipids, and an improvement of lipoprotein profiles. The enhanced hepatic triglyceride level of the db/db mice was significantly reduced by Kangen-karyu administration through the down-regulation of SREBP-1 and lipogenic enzymes in the liver. These findings indicate that Kangen-karyu exerts anti-dyslipidemia effects in adipocytes and type 2 diabetic db/db mice.
