Fruit of Gardenia jasminoides Induces Mitochondrial Activation and Non-Shivering Thermogenesis through Regulation of PPARγ

The extract of the Gardenia jasminoides fruit (GJFE) can been consumed as an herbal tea or used as a yellow dye. Recently, studies report that GFJE exerts inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation and adipogenesis in white adipocytes. We evaluated the thermogenic actions of GJFE by focusing on mitochondrial activation and studying the underlying mechanisms. To investigate the role of GJFE on thermogenesis in mice, we used an acute cold exposure model. After 2 weeks of feeding, the cold tolerance of GJFE-fed mice was notably increased compared to PBS-fed mice. This was due to an increase in thermogenic proteins in the inguinal white adipose tissue of the cold-exposed mice. Moreover, GJFE significantly increased thermogenic factors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma), uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), and PPAR gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC1 alpha) in vitro as well. Factors related to mitochondrial abundance and functions were also induced by GJFE in white and beige adipocytes. However, the treatment of PPAR gamma inhibitor abolished the GJFE-induced changes, indicating that activation of PPAR gamma is critical for the thermogenic effect of GJFE. In conclusion, GJFE induces thermogenic action by activating mitochondrial function via PPAR gamma activation. Through these findings, we suggest GJFE as a potential anti-obesity agent with a novel mechanism involving thermogenic action in white adipocytes.

Automated summary

The extract of Gardenia jasminoides fruit induces thermogenic action by activating mitochondrial function via PPAR gamma activation, suggesting potential as an anti-obesity agent with a novel mechanism involving thermogenic action in white adipocytes.