Carnosic acid (CA) prevents lipid accumulation in hepatocytes through the EGFR/MAPK pathway

Background Carnosic acid (CA), found in rosemary, has been reported to have antioxidant and anti-adipogenic properties. We recently demonstrated that CA protects against steatosis in ob/ob mice. In the present report, we investigated the molecular mechanism by which CA inhibits lipids accumulation both in vivo and in vitro. Methods In the in vivo study, ob/ob mice were fed a standard chow diet with or without CA for 5 weeks, then their hepatocyte lipid accumulation was determined. The serum concentrations of cytokines, the levels of lipid regulatory mediators, and the hepatic metabolic and signaling molecules were also evaluated. In the in vitro study, HepG2 cells were used to further clarify the effects of CA on cellular lipid accumulation and to confirm the signaling pathways involved in these effects. Results CA significantly reduced hepatocyte lipid accumulation. This effect was associated with repressed levels of hepatic PPAR gamma, reduced expression of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1 beta, IL-12, IL-17, IFN-gamma, MCP-1, and MIP-1 beta, and increased ATP, acetyl CoA, NAD(P)(+), and NAD(P) H. Other signaling molecules, such as EGFR, MAPK, AMPK, and ACC, which regulate lipid metabolism, were activated in mice fed the CA diet. CA inhibited palmitate-induced cellular lipid accumulation and stimulated the phosphorylation of both EGFR and MAPK. Pretreatment with either the EGFR inhibitor AG1478 or the MEK-specific inhibitor U0126 abolished the effects of CA on cellular lipid accumulation and decreased both the protein expression and activity of PPAR gamma. Conclusions EGFR/MAPK signaling plays an important role in the inhibitory effect of CA on hepatocyte lipid accumulation.