Abstract
Localized adiposity is not only a common aesthetic issue but also a health risk factor. Pharmacopuncture can be a therapeutic option for the imbalance of regional fat distribution. The tuber of Pinellia ternata has been prescribed as antitussive and expectorant as a traditional Korean medicine. This study investigated the effects of pharmacopuncture with P. ternata water extract (PT) on localized adiposity. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed on a high-fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks. 100 μL of 10 mg/mL of PT was injected into the left-side inguinal fat pad, while saline was injected into the right-side inguinal fat pad as self-control. Treatments were performed 3 times per week for 4 weeks. The inguinal fat weight was analyzed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. PT pharmacopuncture significantly decreased the weight of the inguinal fat pad. The adipocyte size was reduced with increases of lipolytic enzymes and lipophagy-related factors by PT pharmacopuncture. There was marked inhibition of lipid accumulation content in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by PT treatment. The expressions of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), autophagy-related gene (ATG) 5, ATG7, and LC3 were markedly increased by PT treatments in vivo and in vitro. This study suggests that pharmacopuncture of Pinellia ternata has ameliorative effects on adiposity by lipid catabolic effects via activating both lipolysis and lipophagy in a localized region.
Highlights
Abnormal and excessive lipid storage in adipose tissues is a main characteristic of obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 [1]
We investigated the effect of pharmacopuncture with P. ternata water extract (PT) on inguinal fat pad of obesityinduced mice by analyzing local fat loss, adipose tissue histology, and the activities of adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL), hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), light chain 3 (LC3), autophagyrelated gene (ATG) 5, and Autophagy-related gene 7 ATGL (ATG7)
Effects of PT Pharmacopuncture on the Inguinal Fat Weight in Obese Mice. e weight of the left inguinal fat tissues injected with PT pharmacopuncture (PT) was markedly reduced compared to that of the right inguinal fat tissues injected with saline (Figures 1(b) and 1(c))
Summary
Abnormal and excessive lipid storage in adipose tissues is a main characteristic of obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 [1]. E regional distribution of TG deposition in visceral, abdominal, and subcutaneous fat, regarded as localized adiposity, is closely associated with the high risk of obesity rather than BMI [3]. E aesthetic treatment for obesity is commonly performed in subcutaneous adipose tissue of the abdomen [5]. While liposuction can remove the subcutaneous fat effectively with tumescent technique and small diameter cannula, complications can vary from cannula injury and infection to embolism and contour deformity and even death [7]. PC and DC injections could reduce local fat deposits by the lipolytic effects [9]. Several natural herbs including Ephedra sinica Staph., Atractylodes ovata ( unb.) DC., Panax quinquefolius L., and Eriobotrya
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