Abstract
Amber—the fossilized resin of trees—is rich in terpenoids and rosin acids. The physiological effects, such as antipyretic, sedative, and anti-inflammatory, were used in traditional medicine. This study aims to clarify the physiological effects of amber extract on lipid metabolism in mouse 3T3-L1 cells. Mature adipocytes are used to evaluate the effect of amber extract on lipolysis by measuring the triglyceride content, glucose uptake, glycerol release, and lipolysis-related gene expression. Our results show that the amount of triacylglycerol, which is stored in lipid droplets in mature adipocytes, decreases following 96 h of treatment with different concentrations of amber extract. Amber extract treatment also decreases glucose uptake and increases the release of glycerol from the cells. Moreover, amber extract increases the expression of lipolysis-related genes encoding perilipin and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and promotes the activity of HSL (by increasing HSL phosphorylation). Amber extract treatment also regulates the expression of other adipocytokines in mature adipocytes, such as adiponectin and leptin. Overall, our results indicate that amber extract increases the expression of lipolysis-related genes to induce lipolysis in 3T3-L1 cells, highlighting its potential for treating various obesity-related diseases.
Highlights
IntroductionObesity is closely related to various diseases, such as type II diabetes, hypertension, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and renal insufficiency [1]
We focused on the effect of amber extract on lipid metabolism in mature adipocytes
The phosphorylation of Ser563 was not markedly altered upon treatment with amber extract treatment, and it decreased by 0.8–0.9 fold. These results suggested that treatment with amber extract increases the phosphorylation of Ser660, which increases the migration of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) to the fat droplet membrane and enhances its enzymatic activity
Summary
Obesity is closely related to various diseases, such as type II diabetes, hypertension, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and renal insufficiency [1]. Preventing or controlling obesity is essential to prevent the aforementioned related diseases. Phytochemicals such as polyphenols and flavonoids are secondary metabolites necessary for plants to adapt to their environment [2]. Certain flavonoids have been investigated that can lower the risk of breast cancer [6] and type II diabetes [7]. Natural products rich in phytochemicals are expected to reduce excessive obesity and contribute to the prevention and mitigation of various diseases
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