Uncoupled protein 3 and p38 signal pathways are involved in anti-obesity activity of Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Bora Valley.

Abstract

AIM OF STUDY:

This study was undertaken to elucidate the anti-obesity mechanism of a new purple potato variety that has been used for the prevention of metabolic diseases as a folk remedy in Korea.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Proliferation assay, differentiation assay, Western blotting, were performed in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, while blood chemistry for hyperlipidemic parameters, measurement of body weight and abdominal fats, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, magnetic resonance image (MRI) scanning were carried out in high fat diet fed Sprague-Dawley rats with ethanol extract of Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Bora Valley (ESTBV).

RESULTS:

ESTBV significantly inhibited the proliferation and differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells as well as reduced the cellular leptin level. ESTBV also significantly attenuated the levels of insulin and leptin at 500mg/kg in high fat diet fed rats. In addition, ESTBV significantly reduced total fat and whole body lipid in a therapeutic experiment, which was confirmed by MRI scanning and also significantly inhibited the retroperitoneal and epididymal fats in a preventive experiment compared with control. Similarly, the levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly reduced at a lower dose 200mg/kg of ESTBV in a preventive experiment than at 500mg/kg in a therapeutic experiment. Furthermore, body weight gain was significantly suppressed by over 4 weeks treatment of ESTBV compared with control. Interestingly, the expression of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was significantly downregulated in 3T3-L1 cells by ESTBV and the expression of uncoupled protein 3 (UCP-3) was activated in fats and liver tissues of ESTBV treated group compared with high fat diet control.

CONCLUSION:

ESTBV has anti-obesity potential via inhibition of lipid metabolism through p38 MAPK and UCP-3 pathways.

• Authors: Sung-Soo Yoon, Yun-Hee Rhee, Hyo-Jung Lee, Eun-Ok Lee, Min-Ho Lee, Kyoo-Seok Ahn, Hak-Tae Lim, Sung-Hoon Kim
• Journal: Journal of ethnopharmacology (J Ethnopharmacol) Vol. 118 Issue 3 Pg. 396-404 (Aug 13 2008) ISSN: 0378-8741 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 18579324 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Obesity Agents
• Ion Channels
• Leptin
• Mitochondrial Proteins
• Plant Extracts
• Triglycerides
• Ucp3 protein, mouse
• Ucp3 protein, rat
• Uncoupling Protein 3
• Cholesterol
• p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases

Topics

• 3T3-L1 Cells
• Abdominal Fat (drug effects)
• Animals
• Anti-Obesity Agents (pharmacology)
• Cholesterol (blood)
• Ion Channels (genetics, physiology)
• Leptin
• Lipid Metabolism (drug effects)
• MAP Kinase Signaling System (drug effects)
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Male
• Mice
• Mitochondrial Proteins (genetics, physiology)
• Phytotherapy
• Plant Extracts (analysis, pharmacology)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Solanum tuberosum
• Triglycerides (blood)
• Uncoupling Protein 3
• p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (genetics, physiology)