• Journal of Life Science
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.720-728
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• 2011

Garlic (Allium sativum) has been used as a source food as well as a traditional folk medicine ingredient since ancient times. Aged black garlic is a type of fermented garlic and is expected to have stronger anticancer and antioxidant activities than raw garlic. However, the mechanisms of their inhibitory effects on adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis are poorly understood. In the present study, the effects and mechanisms of water extracts of raw garlic (WERG) and aged black garlic (WEABG) on adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were investigated. Treatment with WEABG significantly suppressed terminal differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner as confirmed by a decrease in lipid droplet number and lipid content through Oil Red O staining, however WERG had no such effect. In addition, WEABG reduced accumulation of cellular triglyceride, which is associated with a significant inhibition of key pro-adipogenic transcription factors including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$ (PPAR${\gamma}$), cytidine-cytidine-adenosine-adenosine-thymidine (CCAAT)/enhancer binding proteins ${\alpha}$ (C/EBP${\alpha}$) and C/EBP${\beta}$. Taken together, these results provide important new insight that aged black garlic might inhibit adipogenesis by suppressing the pro-adipogenic transcription factors in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, and further studies will be needed to identify the active compounds that confer the anti-obesity activity of aged black garlic.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.31 no.12
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• pp.1094-1099
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• 2021

Hermetia illucens (Black soldier fly) is attracting attention as an environmental purification insect because it can supply a wide range of by-products of the agricultural food industry. Also, it has a potential feed for fish, birds, and pets due to a short life cycle and excellent nutritional components. Several pharmacological effects, including antimicrobial, of H. illucens have been reported. However, no study has focused on antiobesity effects of ethanol extract of H. illucens. In this study, we aimed to assess the anti-obesity effects of ethanol extract of H. illucens larvae (HIE) through inhibition of differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into adipocytes. The amount of lipid accumulated in adipocytes was measured by oil red-O staining, and the inhibitory effect on adipogenesis was confirmed. The expression levels of factors related to adipocyte differentiation and fat synthesis were determined using Western blot analysis. Lipid droplet formation in adipocytes was remarkably inhibited by HIE. In addition, treatment with 400 ㎍/ml of HIE significantly reduced the expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α-transcription factors involved in adipocyte differentiation. Therefore, the results of this study indicate that HIE is a potential anti-obesity agent because it inhibits adipocyte differentiation.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.33 no.10
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• pp.797-807
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• 2023

To improve the functionality of mulberry, samples were fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum JCM 1149 (LP) or Pichia kudriavzevii Atz-EN-01 (PK), and their antioxidant and anti-obesity activities were compared to those of unfermented mulberry. After fermenting for 60 hr, the total polyphenol and flavonoid content of the PK-fermented mulberry (PKFM) and LP-fermented mulberry (LPFM) was 1.5-fold and 2-fold higher, respectively, while the total anthocyanin content was 1.3-fold and 1.5-fold higher in the PKFM and LPFM, respectively. DPPH radical scavenging activity was found to be 16.3% higher (86% vs. 100%) after PK fermentation and 8.1% higher (86% vs. 93%) after LP fermentation. The lipase inhibitory activity of the LPFM and PKFM was 62.9% and 52.5%, respectively. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were treated with unfermented mulberry, LPFM, or PKFM at 200, 400, or 800 ㎍/ml and stained with oil-red-O. A slight difference in the staining was observed in samples treated with 400 ㎍/ml. However, treatment with 800 ㎍/ml significantly reduced staining compared to the control, and the LPFM exhibited relatively higher adipogenesis inhibitory activity than the PKFM. Blood triglyceride content increased by 9.5% in the high-fat diet group, but decreased by 17.1% in the control group, 37.1% in the LPFM group, and 41.6% in the PKFM group. The blood triglyceride content of the LPFM group decreased by 43.1% and 21.4% compared to the high-fat diet group and the control group, respectively, and that of the PKFM group decreased by 48.6% and 28.9% compared to the same groups. In conclusion, the results indicate that fermented mulberry has increased antioxidant activity, lipase inhibitory activity, and adipogenesis inhibition activity, and decreased blood triglyceride content compared to unfermented mulberry.

• BMB Reports
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.111-115
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• 2016

Caffeine has been proposed to have several beneficial effects on obesity and its related metabolic diseases; however, how caffeine affects adipocyte differentiation has not been elucidated. In this study, we demonstrated that caffeine suppressed 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation and inhibited the expression of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)α and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ, two main adipogenic transcription factors. Anti-adipogenic markers, such as preadipocyte secreted factor (Pref)-1 and Krüppel-like factor 2, remained to be expressed in the presence of caffeine. Furthermore, 3T3-L1 cells failed to undergo typical mitotic clonal expansion in the presence of caffeine. Investigation of hormonal signaling revealed that caffeine inhibited the activation of AKT and glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) 3 in a dose-dependent manner, but not extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). Our data show that caffeine is an anti-adipogenic bioactive compound involved in the modulation of mitotic clonal expansion during adipocyte differentiation through the AKT/GSK3 pathway.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.11
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• pp.1681-1687
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• 2014

In the present study, we investigated the effect of ethyl acetate fraction from 50% ethanol extract of fermented Curcuma longa L. (FCEE) on lipid metabolism in 3T3-L1 cells. The safety range of FCEE was up to $300{\mu}g/mL$. Effects of FCEE on lipid accumulation and intracellular triglyceride (TG) content in 3T3-L1 cells were examined by Oil Red O staining and AdipoRed assay. Compared to adipocytes, lipid accumulation and intracellular TG content were significantly reduced by 10.2% and 13.7%, respectively, upon FCEE treatment at a concentration of $200{\mu}g/mL$. Glucose uptake by 3T3-L1 cells was significantly reduced by 36.6% compared to adipocytes at a concentration of $200{\mu}g/mL$. On day 8, free glycerol release into the culture medium was significantly reduced compared to adipocytes at concentrations of 50, 100, and $200{\mu}g/mL$ of FCEE. FCEE significantly stimulated RNA expression of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and suppressed mRNA expressions of sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins ${\alpha}$ ($C/EBP{\alpha}$), and peroxisome proliferator- activated receptor ${\gamma}$ ($PPAR{\gamma}$) in 3T3-L1 cells. These results suggest that FCEE inhibits adipogenesis through activation of AMPK mRNA expressions and inhibition of SREBP-1c, $C/EBP{\alpha}$, and $PPAR{\gamma}$ mRNA expressions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.822-828
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• 2014

Allium sacculiferum Max. (ASM) is a perennial plant of the Liliaceae family and grows over the entire regions of Korea. Obesity is a serious health problem worldwide and has currently become a prevalent chronic disease. Adipocytes produced by preadipocyte differentiation during adipogenesis and adipocytes combined with abnormal accumulation cause obesity. Recently, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were shown to accelerate lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. In this study, we investigated the effects of ASM methanol extracts on ROS production and lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Our results indicate that the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity of ASM methanol extracts increased in a dose-dependent manner. ASM methanol extracts suppressed ROS production and lipid accumulation during adipogenesis. In addition, ASM methanol extracts inhibited the mRNA expression of both pro-oxidant enzymes such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase as well as the transcription factors, including sterol regulatory element-binding proteins 1c, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor ${\gamma}$, and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein ${\alpha}$. Our results suggest that ASM methanol extracts inhibit ROS production and lipid accumulation by controlling ROS regulatory genes and adipogenic transcription factors. Thus, ASM has potent natural antioxidant, anti-adipogenic properties and have potential in the development of a potent anti-obesity agent.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.69-75
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• 2019

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) is widely used as a food material. Although various physiological activities of rosemary have been reported, there have been no studies on the physiological activity of solvent extracts with different polarities. Rosemary extracts were obtained by extraction of dried powder using 0%, 25%, 50%, 70%, and 95% ethanol (EtOH) in distilled water, methanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane. As these ratios of EtOH are generally chosen by default and scarcely optimized, we investigated the impact of the composition of EtOH in distilled water on extract-related characteristics, such as DPPH free radical scavenging and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase inhibition, on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes and inhibition of tyrosinase. Adipogenesis inhibition was highest at 70% EtOH. DPPH scavenging activity and inhibition of tyrosinase activity were reduced with 50% EtOH in water. However, inhibition of ${\alpha}$-glucosidase activity was higher in 50% EtOH in water. The best solvents in terms of DPPH scavenging activity, inhibition of tyrosinase and ${\alpha}$-glucosidase, and differentiation of adipocytes obtained with different concentrations of EtOH, although a lower similar activities were found with 50% ethanol. Considering the extraction solvents, a ratio of EtOH in water gives different content and constituents of compounds. These differences will give activities inhibition of adipogenesis, tyrosinase, ${\alpha}$-glucosidase activity, and DPPH scavenging activity.

• Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists of Korea
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.117-123
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• 2009

Magnolia extract, prepared from the Chinese herb Magnolia officinalis, is known for its potent anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. In this report, we showed that Magnolia extract inhibits adipocyte differentiation, as evidenced by reduced triglyceride (TG) accumulation. Also, Magnolia extract increased hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) protein level, and decreased the adipogenic transcription factor peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR)-${\gamma}$ protein and their corresponding mRNA. Our results suggest a potential apllication of Magnolia extract as anti-obesity agents inhibits adipocyte differentiation through the down-regulation of adipogenic transcription factors and other adipocyte-specific genes.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.109-121
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• 2020

Objectives: Tanshinone I is a bioactive constituent in Salvia miltiorrhiza. At present, the anti-obesity effect and mechanism of tanshinone I are not fully understood. Here we investigated the effect of tanshinone I on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and zebrafish. Methods: Lipid accumulation and triglyceride (TG) content in 3T3-L1 cells were determined by Oil Red O staining and AdipoRed assay, respectively. The expression and phosphorylation levels of adipogenic/lipogenic proteins in 3T3-L1 cells were evaluated by Western blotting. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of adipogenic/lipogenic markers and leptin in 3T3-L1 cells were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Lipid accumulation in zebrafish was assessed by LipidGreen2 staining. Results: Tanshinone I at 5 μM largely blocked lipid accumulation and reduced TG content in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells. Furthermore, tanshinone I decreased the expression of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-α (C/EBP-α), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), and perilipin A but also the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT-3) in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells. In addition, tanshinone I increased the phosphorylation of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) while decreased the intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) content with no change in the phosphorylation and expression of liver kinase-B1 in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells. Importantly, tanshinone I also reduced the extent of lipid deposit formation in developing zebrafish. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that tanshinone I has strong anti-adipogenic effects on 3T3-L1 cells and reduces adiposity in zebrafish, and these anti-adipogenic effect in 3T3-L1 cells are mediated through control of C/EBP-α, PPAR-γ, STAT-3, FAS, ACC, perilipin A, and AMPK.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.18-24
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• 2021

Vibration is a mechanical cue that can be applied to adipose tissues for the purpose of treating obesity. However, the exact correlation between vibration and other anti-adipogenic pathways, such as development of cytoskeleton and apoptosis, remains unknown. The objective of this study was to investigate the unknown anti-adipogenic effects of vibration with varied frequencies on preadipocytes. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) containing 5% calf serum at 37 ℃ with 5% CO2 in a humidified incubator. Vibration was generated using Arduino Uno microcontroller and vibration motor module with 1 V DC, and applied to preadipocytes for 3 days. Frequency conditions were set to 20, 55, and 90 Hz. Then, the expressions of p38 pathway, ROCK-1, α-actinin, Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-9, 8, and 3 were analyzed with western blot. As a result, p38 pathway was inhibited in 55 and 90 Hz while ROCK-1 and α-actinin were expressed in 20 Hz. Caspase-3, a terminal apoptotic factor, was activated in 20 Hz via extrinsic pathway rather than intrinsic pathway. Results suggest that various frequencies of vibration can inhibit adipogenesis via different pathways which sheds light on future mechanotransduction applications of vibration for the treatment of obesity.