Artemisia princeps Inhibits Adipogenic Differentiation of 3T3-L1 Pre-Adipocytes via Downregulation of PPARγ and MAPK Pathways

Abstract

Artemisia princeps, the Korean mugwort, is an edible plant that has various beneficial effects on health, and which has been used as a part of traditional folk medicine. The current study investigated the possible effects of solvent (H2O, n-BuOH, 85% aq. MeOH, and n-hexane) partitioned fractions of A. princeps crude extract (APE) on adipogenic differentiation of 3T3-L1 mouse pre-adipocytes. Characteristics of the differentiated adipocytes were evaluated by Oil red O staining of intracellular lipid droplets, analyzing mRNA and protein levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) α, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c, and immunoblotting of phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway proteins such as p38, extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Introduction of APE fractions to differentiating adipocytes resulted in lowered lipid accumulation and downregulation of the PPARγ pathway. APE fractions significantly decreased mRNA and protein expression of PPARγ, C/EBPα, and SREBP-1c. Analysis of MAPK pathway activation showed similar results since treatment with the APE fraction treatment decreased levels of phosphorylated p38, ERK, and JNK. Overall, the n-BuOH and n-hexane fractions were observed to be the most active fractions to suppress adipogenesis-related signaling in 3T3-L1 cells. The promising ability of APE fractions to inhibit adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells suggest that A. princeps has potential to be utilized as a source of anti-obesity compounds.

6-Acetyl-2,2-Dimethylchroman-4-One Isolated from Artemisia princeps Suppresses Adipogenic Differentiation of Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells via Activation of AMPK

“…Previous studies showed that A. princeps extract exerted antiadipogenesis effects in 3T3-L1 murine preadipocyte cell line. 12,13 It was reported that A. princeps inhibited the adipocyte differentiation via antioxidative activity and MAPK pathway suppression. These studies have supported the current results although they were conducted in immortalized mouse preadipocytes.…”

“…MeOH solvent fraction of A. princeps extract was prepared as described earlier. 12 Chemical structure and characterization of the compound 1 were carried out by 1 H and 13 C NMR, and comparison of spectral data with published literature was also carried out ( Fig. 1A).…”

“…Effects of compound 1 on the viability of hBM-MSCs was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetra zolium bromide (MTT) assay as previously described. 12 Cell culture medium was aspired after 48 h incubation with different concentrations of compound 1, and 100 lL of MTT reagent (1 mg/mL) was added to the wells before 4 h incubation. Formazan salt was dissolved with the addition of 100 lL DMSO to the wells.…”

“…While A. scoparia and A. santolinifolia were reported to promote adipogenesis, 11 Artemisia princeps extracts inhibited the adipocyte differentiation. 12 A. princeps is a common edible plant native to Korea, Japan, and China, also known as mugwort or wormwood. It has been a part of daily diet as well as traditional medicine practices as it exerts beneficial effects against gastric and bleeding problems.…”

Anti-Obesity Effects of Polyphenol Intake: Current Status and Future Possibilities

“…In Western and African folk medicine, several species of the genus Artemisia are used for their claimed healing properties and for the cure of specific ailments. The early in vitro antiobesity-effects [ 135 ] of Artemisia could be due to the presence of active compounds, such as terpenes, steroids, and saponins, and also the active ingredients, such as tannins and flavonoids [ 136 ]. Physalis alkekengi , also referred to as ground cherry, is an indigenous herb in Iran and many other regions of Asia such as China.…”