Monascus pilosus-fermented black soybean inhibits lipid accumulation in adipocytes and in high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Objective:To explore the anti-obesity effects and the mechanism of action of Monascus pilosus(M.pilosus)-fermented black soybean(MFBS)extracts(MFBSE)and MFBS powders(MFBSP)in adipocytes and high-fat diet(HFD)-induced obese mice,respectively.Methods:Black soybean was fermented with M.pilosus,and the main constituents in MFBS were analyzed by HPLC analysis.In vitro,MFBSE were examined for anti-adipogenic effects using Oil-Red O staining.In vivo,mice were fed a normal-fat diet(NFD)control,HFD control or HFD containing 1 g/kg MFBSP for 12 weeks,and then body weight gain and tissues weight measured.Real-time PCR and western blot assay were used to determine the mechanism of anti-adipogenic effects.Results:MFBSE inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes without exerting cell cytotoxicity.MFBSP treatment in HFD-fed mice significantly decreased the body weight gain compared with the HFD control mice.MFBSE and MFBSP treatment resulted in significantly lower mRNA levels of adipogenesis-related genes,such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptorγ(PPARγ),fatty acid-binding protein 4(FABP4),and fatty acid synthase(FAS),in adipocytes and in white adipose tissue(WAT)of HFD-induced obese mice.Conclusions:These results suggest that the anti-obesity effects of MFBS are elicited by regulating the expression of adipogenesis-related genes in adipocytes and WAT of HFDinduced obese mice.

Antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging activities of Streptomyces sp.strain MJM 10778

Objective:To investigate the antioxidant activity of soil-borne aetinobacteria.Methods:The total phenolic contents,the level of antioxidant potential by DPPH radical scavenging activity,MO scavenging activity,and ABTS radical scavenging activity in ethyl acelale extract were determined.Results:The 16 S rDNA sequencing analysis revealed that Streptomyces sp.strain MJM 10778.which was isolated from Hambak Mountain.Korea,has 99.9% similarity to Streptomyces misionensis(S.misionenis) NBRC 13063.The physiological and the morphological test revealed that the strain MJM 10778 has different characteristics from the strain NBRC.13063.The entire antioxidant assay with the ethyl acelale extract displayed good radical scavenging activity.The IC_(50) values of the strain MJM 10778 extract on DPPH,.NO.and ABTS radicals were identified to he 92.8 μg/mL,0.02 μg/ml,and 134.9 μg/mL,respectively.The ethyl acetate extract of the strain MJM 10778 showed an 81.500% of cell viability at 100 μg/mL in Raw264.7cell viability assay.Conclusions:The results obtained suggesl that the ethyl acetate extract of Streptomyces sp.strain MJM 10778 could be considered as a potential source of drug for the diseases that is caused by free radicals with its anti-oxidant activities and low cytotoxicity.

Nobiletin Prevents Body Weight Gain and Bone Loss in Ovariectomized C57BL/6J Mice

Obesity and osteoporosis are associated with estrogen deficiency following menopause. Therefore, it is important to prevent and treat both disorders to maintain a healthy life in postmenopausal women. Nobiletin, a polymethoxylated flavone, exhibits various pharmacologic effects, including anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities. Therefore, in this study, we examined the effects of nobiletin on obesity, obesity-related metabolic disorders, and bone mass in ovariectomized (OVX) mice. Mice were divided into four groups and underwent sham operation or OVX. OVX mice were treated with 50 or 100 mg/kg nobiletin, or received vehicle alone (0.3% carboxyl methyl cellulose/0.5% dimethyl sulfoxide). Nobiletin decreased body weight gain and white adipose tissue weight in OVX mice. Nobiletin also decreased triglyceride levels, and tended to reduce plasma total cholesterol and glucose levels. Additionally, nobiletin prevented the reduction in bone mineral density of the trabecular region of the femur in OVX mice. Taken together, our results suggest that nobiletin improves adiposity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and prevents bone loss in OVX mice. Therefore, nobiletin is expected to have beneficial effects for the prevention and improvement of metabolic disorders and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Roots extracts of Adenophora triphylla var.japonica improve obesity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and high-fat diet-induced obese mice

Objective:To investigate the anti-obesity activity and the action mechanism of the roots of Adenophora triphylla var.japonica extract(ATE) in high-fat diet(HFD)-induced obese mice and 3T3-LI adipocytes.Methods:The roots of Ademption triphylla were extracted with 70%ethanol.To demonstrate the compounds,linoleic acid was analyzed by using gas chromatography:and the anti-obesity effects and possible mechanisms of ATE were examined in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and HFD-induced obese mice.Results:Treatment with ATE inhibited the lipid accumulation without cytotoxicity in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.Furthermore,200 and 400 mg/kg ATE treatment significantly decreased the body weight gain,white adipose tissues(WATs) weight and plasma triglyceride level,while 100 and 200 mg/kg ATE treatment increased the plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level in the HFD-induced obese mice,as compared with the HFD group.Treatment with 200 and 400 mg/kg ATE also lowered the size of adipocytes in adipose tissue and reduced the lipid accumulation in liver.ATE treatment showed significantly lower expression level of adipogenesis-relatcd proteins,such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor y,fatty acid binding protein(aP2),fatty acid synthase in 3T3-L1 adipocytes;and furthermore,decreased peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor γ,aP2,fatty acid synthase,sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c,and lipoprotein lipase mRNA expression levels in WAT of the HFD-induced obese mice.Conclusions:These results suggested that the ATE has an anti-obesity effect,which may be elicited by regulating the expression of adipogenesis and lipogenesis-related genes and proteins in adipocytes and WAT of the HFD-induced obese mice.