Immunostimulatory and anti‑obesity activities of Adenocaulon himalaicum leaves in RAW264.7 and 3T3‑L1 cells

Abstract

The present study investigated the immunostimulatory activity and anti-obesity activity of Adenocaulon himalaicum leaf extracts (AHL) in RAW264.7 cells and 3T3-L1 cells. AHL increased the production of immunostimulatory factors, such as NO, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α and activated the phagocytotic activity in RAW264.7 cells. Inhibition of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) attenuated the AHL-mediated production of immunostimulatory factors and activation of phagocytic activity in RAW264.7 cells. Inhibition of p38 and JNK blocked the AHL-mediated production of immunostimulatory factors, whereas inhibition of TLR4 suppressed the AHL-mediated phosphorylation of p38 and JNK. Additionally, AHL blocked the lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. AHL downregulated proliferator-activated receptor γ, CCAAT enhancer binding protein α and perilipin-1 levels, while upregulating adipose triglyceride lipase, phosphorylated (p-)hormone-sensitive lipase, p-adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase, uncoupling protein 1, peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1 α and PR domain containing 16 levels in 3T3-L1 cells. These findings suggested that AHL may exert immunostimulatory activity through macrophages via TLR4-mediated activation of p38 and JNK and anti-obesity activity by blocking lipid accumulation via the inhibition of adipogenesis and induction of lipolysis and browning of white adipocytes.

Inhibitory Effects of Sesquiterpenoids Isolated from Artemisia scoparia on Adipogenic Differentiation of 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes

“…In addition, Artemisia annua [ 18 ], Artemisia campestris [ 19 ], and Artemisia princeps [ 20 ] were all suggested to possess anti-obesity effects by inhibiting adipogenesis. Apart from these species, several other halophytes, such as Nitraria retusa [ 21 ], Adenocaulon himalaicum [ 22 ], and Limonium tetragonum [ 23 , 24 ], also showed anti-obesity potential, specifically by acting on the differentiation of adipocytes.…”