Abstract
Obesity is a medical condition in which abnormal or excessive fat accumulates to an extent that is associated with various diseases. In our ongoing research to figure out natural products with anti-obesity effects, a phytochemical investigation of the EtOH extract of the seeds of Momordica cochinchinensis was carried out, which resulted in the isolation of two major triterpenoid saponins: gypsogenin 3-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl(1→2)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl (1→3)]-β-d-glucuronopyranoside (1) and quillaic acid 3-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl(1→2)-[α-l-rhamnopyranosyl(1→3)]-β-d-glucuronopyranoside (2). Then, the effects of the isolated triterpenoid saponins (1 and 2) on adipocyte differentiation were evaluated, and it was demonstrated that the isolated saponin (1) showed inhibitory effects on adipogenesis. In mature adipocytes, the isolated saponin (1) reversed tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα)-induced proinflammatory cytokine gene expression. Additionally, the isolated saponin (1) reduced lipolytic gene expression leading to decreased basal lipolysis activity. Collectively, these findings suggest that saponin (1) of M. cochinchinensis exerts beneficial effects in the regulation of adipogenesis and adipocyte inflammation and could be a potential therapeutic alternative in the treatment of obesity-induced metabolic diseases.
Highlights
IntroductionDysfunctional adipose tissue and the saturation of its expanding capacity leads to lipid overflow [2]
Obesity is an epidemic, with over two billon people worldwide being either overweight or obese [1].In obese individuals, dysfunctional adipose tissue and the saturation of its expanding capacity leads to lipid overflow [2]
We described the chemical analysis of the EtOH extract of the seeds of M. cochinchinensis and the isolation of two triterpenoid saponins (1 and 2)
Summary
Dysfunctional adipose tissue and the saturation of its expanding capacity leads to lipid overflow [2]. This overflow leads to lipid accumulation in peripheral organs, which is involved in the pathophysiology of various diseases, including metabolic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer [3]. During the development of obesity, the adipose tissue expands via increases in the size (hypertrophy) and number (hyperplasia) of adipocytes [6], with both processes being considered targets for anti-obesity drugs. Obese individuals present both hypertrophy and hyperplasia of fat Plants 2020, 9, 984; doi:10.3390/plants9080984 www.mdpi.com/journal/plants
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