LAUSR

Objectives To search for anti-adipogenic components from natural plants, this study evaluated inhibitory effects of active components from Portulaca oleracea on adipogenic differentiation. Methods The crude extract was partitioned into n-hexane, 85% aqueous methanol, n-butanol, and water fractions. By anti-adipogenic assay-guided isolation method, 4 kinds of homoisoflavonoids (1-4) were isolated from 85%aq. MeOH fraction. Their inhibitory effects on adipogenic differentiation were evaluated by Oil red O intracellular lipid staining, and measuring glycerol release, glucose consumption and adiopogenesis-related gene expression in 3T3-L1 cells. Results The administration of homoisoflavonoids 1-4 to adipocyte cells decreased the lipid accumulation and glucose consumption, and increased the release of glycerol into culture medium. In particular, homoisoflavonoid 3 effectively down-regulated the adipogenic transcription genes such as peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins (C/EBPα), and adipogenic target genes such as fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), fatty acid transport protein 1 (FATP1), and acyl-CoA synthase 1 (ACS1). Conclusions This study suggested that homoisoflavonoids 3 held notable potential to be used for the treatment and prevention of obesity and related disorders. Funding Sources This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education and the Center for Women In Science, Engineering and Technology (WISET) Grant funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) under the Program for Returners into R&D.