Effect of shanzha, a Chinese herbal product, on obesity and dyslipidemia in hamsters receiving high-fat diet.

Abstract

AIM:

The present study is designed to investigate the effect of shanzha (Crataegus pinnatifida) on obesity or dyslipidemia induced by high-fat diet in hamsters and characterize the role of PPARalpha in this action of shanzha.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

We induced dyslipidemia and obesity in hamsters using high-fat diet and treated hamsters with shanzha or vehicle for 7 days. We measured the body weight, adipose tissue weights, and food intake of hamsters. Plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) were determined at the beginning and end of this treatment. Effect of shanzha on adipogenesis was examined in vitro and change of PPARalpha was analyzed using Western blot.

RESULTS:

The food intake, body weights, and weights of both brown and white adipose tissues were markedly reduced in hamsters receiving shanzha as compared with the vehicle-treated control. Plasma levels of TC, TG and LDL-C were decreased by this shanzha treatment while HDL-C was elevated. The effects of shanzha were reversed by the combined treatment with PPARalpha antagonist, MK886. Shanzha inhibited the fat droplet accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a dose-dependent manner and this effect was abolished by MK886. Western blot results showed activation of PPARalpha by shanzha in hamster adipose tissue.

CONCLUSION:

We suggest that shanzha could activate PPARalpha to improve dyslipidemia or obesity.

• Authors: Daih-Huang Kuo, Ching-Hua Yeh, Po-Chuen Shieh, Kai-Chun Cheng, Fu-An Chen, Juei-Tang Cheng
• Journal: Journal of ethnopharmacology (J Ethnopharmacol) Vol. 124 Issue 3 Pg. 544-50 (Jul 30 2009) ISSN: 1872-7573 [Electronic] Ireland
• PMID: 19454308 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Anti-Obesity Agents
• Azo Compounds
• Coloring Agents
• Dietary Fats
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Hypolipidemic Agents
• Indicators and Reagents
• PPAR alpha
• shanzha
• oil red O

Topics

• 3T3 Cells
• Adipocytes (drug effects)
• Adiposity (drug effects)
• Animals
• Anti-Obesity Agents (therapeutic use)
• Azo Compounds
• Blotting, Western
• Body Weight (drug effects)
• Cell Differentiation (drug effects)
• Coloring Agents
• Cricetinae
• Diet
• Dietary Fats (pharmacology)
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (pharmacology)
• Dyslipidemias (blood, drug therapy)
• Eating (drug effects)
• Hypolipidemic Agents (therapeutic use)
• Indicators and Reagents
• Male
• Mesocricetus
• Mice
• PPAR alpha (physiology)