Hypolipidemic effects of herbal extracts by reduction of adipocyte differentiation, intracellular neutral lipid content, lipolysis, fatty acid exchange and lipid droplet motility

Renate Haselgrübler,Bettina Schwarzinger,Stephan M Winkler,Flora Stübl,Mario Brameshuber,Clemens Röhrl,Julian Weghuber,Jonas Schurr,Clemens Schwarzinger,Stefan Wieser,Peter Lanzerstorfer

doi:10.1038/s41598-019-47060-4

Abstract

An increase in adipose tissue is caused by the increased size and number of adipocytes. Lipids accumulate in intracellular stores, known as lipid droplets (LDs). Recent studies suggest that parameters such as LD size, shape and dynamics are closely related to the development of obesity. Berberine (BBR), a natural plant alkaloid, has been demonstrated to possess anti-obesity effects. However, it remains unknown which cellular processes are affected by this compound or how effective herbal extracts containing BBR and other alkaloids actually are. For this study, we used extracts of Coptis chinensis, Mahonia aquifolium, Berberis vulgaris and Chelidonium majus containing BBR and other alkaloids and studied various processes related to adipocyte functionality. The presence of extracts resulted in reduced adipocyte differentiation, as well as neutral lipid content and rate of lipolysis. We observed that the intracellular fatty acid exchange was reduced in different LD size fractions upon treatment with BBR and Coptis chinensis. In addition, LD motility was decreased upon incubation with BBR, Coptis chinensis and Chelidonium majus extracts. Furthermore, Chelidonium majus was identified as a potent fatty acid uptake inhibitor. This is the first study that demonstrates the selected regulatory effects of herbal extracts on adipocyte function.

Highlights

Obesity is a complex, chronic disorder caused by the interaction of different contributing parameters, including dietary, lifestyle, genetic, and environmental factors
The anti-obesity effects of BBR have been attributed to its inhibition of adipocyte differentiation, which is primarily caused by the reduced expression of important regulatory adipogenic transcription factors, enzymes and receptors, such as (i) sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs)[11,12,13], (ii) fatty acid synthase (FAS)[11,12], (iii) peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ)[12,14], and (iv) CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/ EBPs)[14]
The BBR contents exhibited large variations, and BBR was found in extracts from C. chinensis (2.78 g/L), M. aquifolium (0.03 g/L) and B. vulgaris (0.02 g/L)

Summary

Introduction

Chronic disorder caused by the interaction of different contributing parameters, including dietary, lifestyle, genetic, and environmental factors. The regulation of adipocyte differentiation might be of pivotal importance for the prevention and treatment of obesity and its related diseases In this regard, the natural isoquinoline alkaloid berberine (BBR) has been reported to have great potential. The anti-obesity effects of BBR have been attributed to its inhibition of adipocyte differentiation, which is primarily caused by the reduced expression of important regulatory adipogenic transcription factors, enzymes and receptors, such as (i) sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs)[11,12,13], (ii) fatty acid synthase (FAS)[11,12], (iii) peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ)[12,14], and (iv) CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/ EBPs)[14]. We showed that BBR and potential alkaloid-enriched herbal extracts can reduce the following: (i) adipocyte differentiation, (ii) the content of intracellular neutral lipids and cholesterol, (iii) lipolysis, (iv) fatty acid uptake, (v) intracellular lipid exchange in LDs and vi) LD motility

Methods

Results

Conclusion