Effects of phytosterols and fatty acids from lotus (Nelumbo Nucifera) seed on differentiation of human preadipocytes into adipocytes

Abstract

Various biological and phamacological properties of lotus (Nelumbo Nucifera) have been studied in our laboratory. The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of phytosterols and fatty acids isolated from lotus seed and their effects on differentiation of human preadipocytes into adipocytes. To isolate crude phytosterol and fatty acids, the lotus seeds were extracted with ethanol and then extracted with hexane. Hexane extract was hydrolyzed with KOH and the hydrolyzed extract was subjected to a column of anion exchange resin Amberlite I RA 410. Preadipocyte were cultured under differentiation conditions for 14 days with phytosterols and fatty acids and Oil Red O staining was performed to determine the lipid accumulation in human adipocytes. Lipid droplets produced during adipogenesis were significantly decreased by treatment of phytosterols and fatty acids. We found β‐sitosterol, campesterol, and β‐amyrin as main phytosterol. In addition, we found stigmasterol, isofucosterol and dehydrolanosterol as trace phytosterols. The main fatty acids were linoleic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, and linolenic acid. These data suggest that phytosterol and fatty acids from lotus seed could be used as effective ingredients in controlling obesity. This research was supported by the Globalization of Korean Foods R&D program, funded by MIFAFF, Republic of Korea