Groundsel Bush (Baccharis halimifolia) Enhances Adipocyte Development and Attenuates Inflammation in Adipocytes in vitro

Abstract

IntroductionAdipocytes serve a critical function not only as a reservoir of excess caloric energy but also as an endocrine organ regulating metabolic homeostasis. Therefore, interventions aimed at enhancing adipocyte development and function have the potential to ameliorate conditions associated with metabolic syndrome, such as ectopic fat accumulation and insulin resistance. Here we report evidence that a novel botanical, Baccharis halimifolia (groundsel bush), enhances adipocyte development and function in vitro.MethodsFor in vitro assessment of adipocyte development, differentiating adipocytes were treated with groundsel bush (GB) extract at three doses (5, 20, and 50 μg/mL) and the effects of GB were assessed by performing qPCR and immunoblotting to determine expression of adipogenic gene and protein expression, respectively. Neutral lipid accumulation in differentiating adipocytes was measured by Bodipy or Oil Red O staining. In mature murine adipocytes, adiponectin protein expression was assessed by western blot. The effectiveness of GB in attenuating inflammatory responses in mature adipocytes and RAW macrophages was evaluated by western blot analysis of adiponectin protein expression in TNFα‐treated adipocytes and by analysis of inflammatory gene expression in LPS‐treated RAW macrophages.ResultsIn differentiating adipocytes, GB treatment enhanced the expression of adipogenic marker genes and protein expression of adiponectin and aP2, and also increased lipid accumulation. In mature adipocytes, GB increased gene and protein expression of adiponectin while decreasing resistin gene expression. GB attenuated TNFα‐induced repression of adiponectin protein expression in mature adipocytes while also reducing gene expression of MCP‐1 in LPS‐treated RAW macrophages.ConclusionsThe present study provides evidence that GB enhances adipocyte differentiation and neutral lipid accumulation, while also increasing adiponectin expression in mature adipocytes. GB also attenuates inflammatory responses in adipocytes and RAW macrophages. Collectively, these results indicate that GB has the potential to favorably modulate adipocyte function and therefore merits further study.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by NIH P50 AT002776. SEF was supported by institutional training grant NIH T32 AT004094 awarded to PBRC.