Anti-Obesity Effect of Polygalin C Isolated from Polygala japonica Houtt. via Suppression of the Adipogenic and Lipogenic Factors in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Obesity is a risk factor for metabolic diseases including type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), heart diseases, and cancer. This study aimed to investigate the anti-obesity effect of Polygalin C (PC) isolated from Polygala japonica Houtt. in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Based on Oil Red O assay results, PC significantly decreased lipid accumulation compared to the control. We found that PC suppressed adipogenesis transcription factors including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) alpha, and lipogenic factors such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP 1c) and fatty acid synthase (FAS), in 3T3-L1 adipocytes using Western blotting and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Moreover, PC inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells by regulating the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and mitogen-activated protein kinase/protein kinase B (MAPK/Akt) signaling pathways. Additionally, we confirmed that PC inhibited early adipogenesis factors C/EBP beta and C/EBP delta. Therefore, PC inhibited adipogenesis and lipogenesis in vitro. Thus, PC appears to exert potential therapeutic effects on obesity by suppressing lipid metabolism.

Automated summary

The study showed that Polygalin C (PC) extracted from Polygala japonica Houtt. has a significant anti-obesity effect on 3T3-L1 adipocytes by reducing lipid accumulation, suppressing adipogenesis and lipogenesis factors, and regulating AMPK/ACC and MAPK/Akt signaling pathways.