Effects of Essential Oils and Some Constituents from Ingredients of Anti-Cellulite Herbal Compress on 3T3-L1 Adipocytes and Rat Aortae

Abstract

Cellulite is associated with a complex array of adipocytes under the skin and vascular system. A herbal compress that was previously developed was proven to have an anti-cellulite effect in healthy volunteers within 2 weeks of treatment. However, its mechanism and ingredients responsible for reducing cellulite were not known. The purpose of this study was to investigate the activity of eight essential oils in, and two water extracts from, the ingredients of the herbal compress together with nine monoterpenoid constituents on the 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The vasodilatory effect on rat aortae was also studied. The adipocytes were induced by dexamethasone, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine and insulin. At all concentrations tested, all essential oils, water extracts and their monoterpenoid constituents significantly inhibited lipid accumulation activity (p < 0.05) and decreased the amount of triglycerides when compared to untreated cells (p < 0.01). In addition, our results showed that the mixed oil distilled from the herbal compress mixed ingredients could relax the isolated rat aorta (EC50 = 14.74 ± 2.65 µg/mL). In conclusion, all essential oils, extracts and chemical constituents tested showed effects on adipogenesis inhibition and lipolysis induction on the cultured adipocytes with the mixed oil demonstrating vasorelaxation activity, all of which might be the mechanisms of the anti-cellulite effects of the herbal compress.

Efficacy of an Anti-Cellulite Herbal Emgel: A Randomized Clinical Trial

“…The in-vitro adipogenesis inhibition and lipogenesis inhibition of the extracts, the volatile oils, and their monoterpenes ingredients in the emgel have been reported. The mixed volatile oil also demonstrated vasorelaxation activity on rat aortae [ 9 ]. In addition, dimethylxanthines in tea and coffee extracts were known to inhibit phosphodiesterase, reduce lipogenesis, and activate lipolysis, helping to restore the normal structure of the subcutaneous tissue and acting as anti-free radicals [ 17 ].…”

“…We detected an improved cutaneous blood flow, but could not demonstrate a selective effect of the herbal through the topical route. Given this and also given that the herbal is vasodilatory in vitro [ 9 ], a dedicated trial on blood flow is needed. For this, nutritive and thermally-activated blood flow need discriminating, blood flow measured in deeper layers (limited to ~0.7 mm with our equipment), and the possible role of systemic absorption and action need to be explored further.…”

“…The mixed essential oil contained the essential oils of the herbal ingredients of the herbal compress (ginger, black pepper, long pepper, turmeric, cassumunar ginger, lemon grass and kaffir lime) in the ratio that was reported in the previous study [ 9 ].…”

“…This compress reduced cellulite, skin-fold thickness and circumferences of treated thighs in a placebo controlled trial conducted on 21 premenopausal women for 8 weeks [ 8 ]. In vitro, we demonstrated that essential oils and extracts of the herbal compress ingredients reduced lipogenesis and increased lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, and were a relaxant in rat aortae [ 9 ].…”

Development, Characterization, and Stability Evaluation of the Anti-Cellulite Emgel Containing Herbal Extracts and Essential Oils

“…The anti-cellulite mechanisms of the essential oils, including monoterpenoids, constituents of aromatic herbs as well as extracts of tea and coffee, have also been elucidated in vitro as a reduction in lipid accumulation and vasorelaxation [ 13 ]. Therefore, the active formulation of a smooth-texture gelled emulsion, or an “emgel,” with a pH range of 5.5–7.0 included a combination of essential oil and extract actives, considered for their way of treating all the major mechanisms related to the development of cellulite.…”