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

Obesity is a major risk factor for various metabolic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In this study, we prepared ethanol extracts from Agastache rugosa (ARE), Chrysanthemum zawadskii (CZE), Mentha arvensis (MAE), Perilla frutescens (PFE), Leonurus sibiricus (LSE), Gardenia jasminoides (GJE), and Lycopus coreanus (LCE). The anti-oxidant and anti-adipogenic effects were evaluated. The IC50 values for ascorbic acid and LCE against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals were 246.2 µg/mL and 166.2 µg/mL, respectively, followed by ARE (186.6 µg/mL), CZE (198.6 µg/mL), MAE (337.1 µg/mL), PFE (415.3 µg/mL), LSE (548.2 µg/mL), and GJE (626.3 µg/mL). In non-toxic concentration ranges, CZE had a strong inhibitory effect against 3T3-L1 adipogenes (84.5%) than those of the other extracts. Furthermore, the anti-adipogenic effect of CZE is largely limited in the early stage of adipogenesis, and we revealed that the inhibitory role of CZE in adipogenesis is required for the activation of Wnt signaling. Our results provide scientific evidence that the anti-adipogenic effect of CZE can be applied as an ingredient for the development of functional foods and nutri-cosmetics for obesity prevention.

Anti-oxidant and anti-adipogenic effects of acorn (Quercus acutissima CARR.) shell extracts via regulation of wnt signaling in 3T3-L1 cells.

Acorn (Quercus acutissima CARR.) is a nut from the Fagaceae family that has been used in traditional medicine for many years. However, shells from acorns are regarded as a by-product and are mostly discarded. Anti-adipogenic activities of acorn shells were investigated using 3T3-L1 cells and methanol shell extracts (AE-M). AE-M demonstrated Cu2+-chelation activities and anti-oxidant activities via reduction of oxidative stress levels induced using AAPH. Six days after adipocyte differentiation, 50 and 100 µg/mL AE-M completely suppressed 3T3-L1 adipogenesis and the anti-adipogenic effect was stronger than for the positive control 50 µM quercetin. Treatment with AE-M in 3T3-L1 cells reduced mRNA expression levels of adipogenic genes. AE-M-inhibition was found in pre-adipogenic, early, and intermediate stages of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. The Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway is required for AE-M-inhibition of 3T3-L1 adipogenesis.

Antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities of chestnut (Castanea crenata) byproducts.

The antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities of chestnut byproducts were evaluated. At 100 µg/mL, the methanol extract (ME) scavenged 34.2% of DPPH and 78.8% of ABTS radicals. The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activity of the water extract (WE) was found to be low (13.7 and 33.1%, respectively) compared with controls. WE and ME dose-dependently inhibited lipid accumulation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. WE and ME at 100 µg/mL suppressed 3T3-L1 adipogenesis by 71.0 and 96.5%, respectively, when compared with mature adipocytes. The results indicated that WE and ME inhibited adipocyte differentiation by down-regulating the mRNA expression levels of CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)-ß, C/EBPα, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ in 3T3-L1 cells. Our study also revealed that WE and ME inhibited pre- and early stage adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. The results suggest that chestnut byproducts are a promising source of antioxidant and antiobesity molecules.

Antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities of acorn shells.

Antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities of water extract (WE) and methanol extract (ME) of acorn shells (AS), from Quercus acutissima Carruth. grown in Korea, were investigated. At a concentration of 50 µg/mL, the WE had a scavenging activity of 53.84% for the DPPH and 76.09% for the ABTS radical, while the ME had corresponding scavenging activities of 29.09 and 48.43%. Total phenolic contents of WE and ME were 375.96 and 288.01 mg gallic acid equivalents/g of extracts, respectively. Both extracts significantly inhibited 3T3-L1 adipogenesis in a dose-dependent manner, and concomitantly decreased the size and number of intracellular lipid droplets. Furthermore, the antiadipogenic activities of WE and ME are largely limited in the pre- and early stages of adipogenesis. The results suggest that AS may be a promising source of antioxidants and anti-obesity compounds.

Beneficial role and function of fisetin in skin health via regulation of the CCN2/TGF-ß signaling pathway.

Skin is composed of multiple layers, including the epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. Although several biological activities of fisetin have been reported, beneficial effects and the functions of fisetin in skin remain unclear. B16F10 melanoma cells, human skin fibroblasts, and 3T3-L1 cells were used to examine the beneficial effects of fisetin in skin health. α-MSH- and IBMX-induced melanosis in B16F10 melanoma cells was inhibited by fisetin treatment, which also enhanced mRNA expression levels of skin fibril-related genes via the CCN2/TGF-ß signaling pathway. Decreased intracellular lipid accumulation via down-regulation of transcriptional factors through activation of the CCN2/TGF-ß signaling pathway was observed. A novel function of fisetin in skin health via down-regulation of melanosis and adipogenesis, and up-regulation of skin fibril-related genes was observed. Evidence for development of nutri-cosmetics for skin health is presented.

Anti-aging Potential of Extracts Prepared from Fruits and Medicinal Herbs Cultivated in the Gyeongnam Area of Korea.

Many recent studies have focused on maintaining a healthy life by preventing and/or postponing the aging process. Numerous studies have reported that continuous exposure to reactive oxygen species can stimulate skin aging and that excessive accumulation of fat can cause an impaired skin barrier and tissue structure alterations. Thus, the maintenance of antioxidant homeostasis and the suppression of adipose accumulation are important strategies for skin anti-aging. Here, we prepared three types of extracts [whole juice, acetone-perchloric acid (PCA), and ethanol] from 20 fruits and medicinal herbs native to the Gyeongnam area of Korea. The total phenolic content of each extract was analyzed, and we observed higher total phenolic contents in the medicinal herbs. Consistent with this, the results of the oxygen radical absorbance activity capacity assay indicated that the in vitro antioxidant activities of the medicinal herb extracts were stronger than those of the fruit extracts. The fruits and medicinal herbs had strong effects on cell-based systems, including H2O2-induced oxidative stress in human keratinocytes and 3T3-L1 lipid accumulation. Nishimura Wase persimmon, Taishu persimmon, wrinkled giant hyssop, sweet wormwood, Chinese cedar, red perilla, tan shen, hiyodori-jogo, and cramp bark may be natural anti-aging materials with effective antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities. Taken together, our findings may provide scientific evidence supporting the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals from fruits and medicinal herbs.