P 203 - Quercetin derivatives from Hibiscus sabdariffa reduce lipid content and increase mitochondrial biogenesis in hypertrophied 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Abstract

There is evidence that Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) extracts ameliorate metabolic disturbances related to obesity. Our recent studies postulate quercetin derivatives as candidates to be responsible for such effects. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of several quercetin-related molecules (quercetin, quercetin-3-glucuronide and quercetin-3-glucoside) and other representative antioxidant compounds on triglyceride accumulation in hypertrophied 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In addition, we also studied the effect of these quercetin derivatives on mitochondrial mass and the possible mechanism involved by analyzing key metabolic targets in energy metabolism. The results show that, among all the phenolic compounds from HS tested, quercetin derivatives had the highest capacity to reduce triglyceride accumulation in hypertrophied adipocytes. Furthermore, both HS complete extract and quercetin compounds increased the mitochondrial mass in adipocytes. Specially, quercetin-3-glucuronide seemed to be the most bioactive compound and increased AMPK and PPARα expression and decreased FASN expression. In conclusion, these data suggest that quercetin derivatives from HS may reduce lipid content of hypertrophied adipocytes through the activation of AMPK and inhibition of FASN. Moreover, these flavonoids increased mitochondrial biogenesis which may be also mediated through the modulation of PPARα.