Abstract
BackgroundThe cellular and molecular mechanisms of adipose tissue biology have been studied extensively over the last two decades. Adipose tissue growth involves both an increase in fat cell size and the formation of mature adipocytes from precursor cells. To investigate how natural substances influence these two processes, we examined the effects of lotus leaf extract (Nelumbo nucifera-extract solution obtained from Silab, France) and L-carnitine on human preadipocytes and adipocytes.MethodsFor our in vitro studies, we used a lotus leaf extract solution alone or in combination with L-carnitine. Utilizing cultured human preadipocytes, we investigated lotus leaf extract solution-induced inhibition of triglyceride incorporation during adipogenesis and possible effects on cell viability. Studies on human adipocytes were performed aiming to elucidate the efficacy of lotus leaf extract solution to stimulate lipolytic activity. To further characterize lotus leaf extract solution-mediated effects, we determined the expression of the transcription factor adipocyte determination and differentiation factor 1 (ADD1/SREBP-1c) on the RNA- and protein level utilizing qRT-PCR and immunofluorescence analysis. Additionally, the effect of L-carnitine on beta-oxidation was analyzed using human preadipocytes and mature adipocytes. Finally, we investigated additive effects of a combination of lotus leaf extract solution and L-carnitine on triglyceride accumulation during preadipocyte/adipocyte differentiation.ResultsOur data showed that incubation of preadipocytes with lotus leaf extract solution significantly decreased triglyceride accumulation during adipogenesis without affecting cell viability. Compared to controls, adipocytes incubated with lotus leaf extract solution exhibited a significant increase in lipolysis-activity. Moreover, cell populations cultivated in the presence of lotus leaf extract solution showed a decrease in adipocyte differentiation capacity as indicated by a decrease in the ADD1/SREBP-1c signal. Importantly, our results demonstrated that a combination of lotus leaf extract solution and L-carnitine reduced triglyceride accumulation to a greater extent compared to incubation with either substance alone.ConclusionsOverall, our data demonstrate that a combination of lotus leaf extract and L-carnitine reduced triglyceride accumulation in human (pre)adipocytes by affecting different processes during the adipocyte life cycle. For this reason, this combination might represent a treatment option for obesity-related diseases.
Highlights
The cellular and molecular mechanisms of adipose tissue biology have been studied extensively over the last two decades
To determine to which extent lotus leaf extract influences adipogenesis and induces lipolysis-activity, we investigated the effects of a lotus leaf extract solution on human preadipocytes and adipocytes
Lotus leaf extract solution decreased triglyceride accumulation during adipogenesis To investigate effects of lotus leaf extract solution on triglyceride accumulation during human preadipocyte/ adipocyte differentiation, cells were cultured in ‘differentiation medium’ for 7 days in the absence or presence of lotus leaf extract solution
Summary
The cellular and molecular mechanisms of adipose tissue biology have been studied extensively over the last two decades. Several plant extracts and their respective bioactive components are well recognized for their potential to exert anti-obesity effects [2]. In this context, we focused on lotus leaf extract, a natural plant extract, obtained from the leaves of Nelumbo nucifera. It has been reported that lotus leaf extract prevented the increase in body weight, inhibited absorption of lipids and carbohydrates, accelerated lipid metabolism and up-regulated energy expenditure, suggesting beneficial effects for the suppression of obesity [9]. It was shown that a 50% ethanol extract prepared from the leaves of Nelumbo nucifera stimulated lipolysis in the white adipose tissue [6]. To our knowledge conclusive studies investigating effects of lotus leaf extract on triglyceride accumulation or lipolysis-activity in human cells are lacking so far
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