Effect of Sutherlandia frutescens on the Lipid Metabolism in an Insulin Resistant Rat Model and 3T3‐L1 Adipocytes

Abstract

High fat diet induced insulin resistance correlates with dyslipidaemia and ectopic fat deposits in skeletal muscle and liver. The effects of Sutherlandia frutescens, an antidiabetic medicinal plant, on lipid metabolism were evaluated in an insulin resistant (IR) rat model and in 3 T3-preadipocytes. Wistar rats received normal diet (ND) or high fat diet (HFD). After the onset of IR in the HFD group, the rats were subdivided into two subgroups, which either continued with HFD or were treated with 50 mg S. frutescens/kg BW/day and HFD (HFD + SF). After 4 weeks, the HFD + SF rats had a significantly lower body weight than the HFD rats (p < 0.05). Blood plasma analysis showed a decrease in insulin, free fatty acids and triglycerides. Related changes in lipid parameters were observed in the liver, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue. To investigate the effects of S. frutescens on adipose tissue, 3 T3-L1 cells were used as a model. Treatment with S. frutescens led to a decrease in triglyceride accumulation, whilst glucose consumption and lactate production were increased (p < 0.05). These results indicate that S. frutescens directly affects mitochondrial activity and lipid biosynthesis in adipose tissue and provide a mechanism by which S. frutescens can restore insulin sensitivity by modulating fatty acid biosynthesis.

Ellagic Acid Suppresses Lipid Accumulation by Suppressing Early Adipogenic Events and Cell Cycle Arrest

“…This can result in metabolic complications such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and atherosclerosis (Das et al, ). Thus, controlling obesity is important to reduce the risk of many metabolic diseases (MacKenzie et al, ). Adipocytes, which are cells that store excessive energy, are commonly used to study lipid accumulation in white adipose tissue.…”

The Potential ofSutherlandia frutescensfor Herb-Drug Interaction

“…It has been investigated for many of the anecdotal claims. Many of such studies have suggested its potential for beneficial effects in HIV/AIDS (Harnett et al, 2005), cancer (Stander et al, 2007(Stander et al, , 2009Skerman et al, 2011), diabetes (Chadwick et al, 2007;Mackenzie et al, 2009Mackenzie et al, , 2012, inflammation (Ojewole, 2004), microbial infection (Katerere and Eloff, 2005), stress (Prevoo et al, 2004), and convulsion (Ojewole, 2008). Commercial twice-daily Sutherlandia capsules containing 300 mg of powdered dried leaves are also available in the herbal medicines shops in South Africa (Van Wyk and Albrecht, 2008).…”

Inhibitory potentials and kinetics of the inhibition of carbohydrate-hydrolysing enzymes by the pod and seed extracts of Lessertia montana (Fabaceae) E. Phillips & R.A. Dyer

“…Prevented insulin resistance in Chang liver cells 113 , increased glucose utilization in C2C12 114 and 3T3-L1 cells 115 Female flowers are blood red, but change colour from purple to white, after opening 119 . The fruit is a fleshy round or oval drupe, falling while green and turning yellow on the ground (February -June) 121 .…”