Akebia quinata extract exerts anti-obesity and hypolipidemic effects in high-fat diet-fed mice and 3T3-L1 adipocytes

J Ethnopharmacol. 2015 Jun 20:168:17-24. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.03.051. Epub 2015 Mar 31.

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The dry ripe fruit of the Akebia quinata (A. quinata) plant is used as an analgesic, an antiphlogistic, and a diuretic in traditional medicine. A. quinata has also been used in Korea as a crude drug for treating obesity. The aim of the study was to determine the anti-obesity and hypolipidemic effects of A. quinata extract (AQE) in mice consuming a high-fat diet and in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Materials and methods: We measured obesity-related physiological parameters, gene expression, and protein phosphorylation in mice consuming a high-fat diet supplemented with AQE (400mg/kg/day) for 6.5 weeks.

Results: AQE reduced gain in body weight, adipose tissue weight, and serum lipid levels in mice consuming a high-fat diet. AQE supplementation reduced expression of genes related to adipogenesis and increased expression of PPARα, acetyl-CoA oxidase, and adiponectin in the epididymal adipose tissue. Furthermore, AQE increased phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, both of which are related to fatty acid oxidation, in vivo. HPLC analysis revealed that AQE contained chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, and isochlorogenic acid C. AQE and all of these constituents inhibited differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells and enhanced AMPK phosphorylation.

Conclusions: These results suggest the AQE exerted anti-obesity and hypolipidemic effects in mice consuming a high-fat diet by regulating adipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation via AMPK activation.

Keywords: AMP-activated protein kinase; Adipogenesis; Adipose tissue; Akebia quinata; Fatty acid oxidation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3T3-L1 Cells
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Adipogenesis / drug effects
  • Adipokines / blood
  • Animals
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Body Weight / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Diet, High-Fat
  • Eating / drug effects
  • Fruit
  • Hyperlipidemias / blood
  • Hyperlipidemias / drug therapy*
  • Hyperlipidemias / metabolism
  • Hypolipidemic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Lipid Metabolism / drug effects
  • Magnoliopsida*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Adipokines
  • Anti-Obesity Agents
  • Hypolipidemic Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases