Soshiho-Tang Aqueous Extract Exerts Antiobesity Effects in High Fat Diet-Fed Mice and Inhibits Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Abstract

Soshiho-tang (SST; sho-saiko-to in Japanese; xiaochaihu-tang in Chinese) has generally been used to improve liver fibrosis- and cirrhosis-related symptoms in traditional Korean medicine. Although many studies have investigated the pharmacological properties of SST, its antiobesity effect has not been elucidated. Thus, our present study was carried out to evaluate the antiobesity effect of SST using a high fat diet- (HFD) induced obese mouse model and 3T3-L1 adipose cells. C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6/group), normal diet (ND), HFD-fed group, and HFD- and SST-fed groups (S200: 200 mg/kg of SST; S600: 600 mg/kg of SST) and given HFD with or without SST extract for 8 weeks. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated into adipocytes for 8 days with or without SST. In the HFD-fed obese mice, body weight and fat accumulation in adipose tissue were significantly reduced by SST administration. Compared with control-differentiated adipocytes, SST significantly inhibited lipid accumulation by decreasing the triglyceride (TG) content and leptin concentration in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. SST also decreased the expression of adipogenesis-related genes including lipoprotein lipase (LPL), fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-alpha (C/EBP-α), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ). Our findings suggest that SST has potential as a nontoxic antiobesity medication.

Soshiho-Tang, a Traditional Herbal Medicine, Alleviates Atopic Dermatitis Symptoms via Regulation of Inflammatory Mediators

“…To date, several pharmacological activities of SST have been reported. According to previous experimental studies, this herbal prescription effects treatment of chronic hepatitis (Kusunose et al, 2002) and liver cirrhosis (Chen et al, 2004; Chen et al, 2005) and exhibits a variety of pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory (Amagaya et al, 1986; Oh et al, 2013), antioxidant (Sakaguchi et al, 1993), anti-tumor (Zhu et al, 2005), anti-obesity (Yoo et al, 2016), anti-asthmatic (Jeon et al, 2015), and immune-regulative activities (Taira et al, 2004; Kang et al, 2009). In addition, SST showed no significant variation between contents depending on the storage period.…”

Sericin as treatment of obesity: morphophysiological effects in obese mice fed with high-fat diet

“…In these settings, potential natural anti-obesity agents with less adverse effects, such as the biopolymer sericin produced by the silkworm Bombyx mori ( Lepidoptera, Bombycidae ), are being increasingly sought after. 7 , 11 Sericin is a natural, highly hydrophilic globular protein, with molecular weight ranging from 20 to 400kDa, which, together with fibroin, forms the silk thread. 12 Physicochemical characteristics of the sericin molecule have been associated with several properties with potential biologic applicability.…”

“…Neste sentido, pesquisas de potenciais agentes terapêuticos naturais para a obesidade, com menos efeitos colaterais, vem ganhando destaque, 7 , 11 como a do biopolímero sericina, produzido pelo bicho-da-seda Bombyx mori ( Lepidoptera, Bombycidae ). Trata-se de uma proteína globular natural, altamente hidrofílica, com peso molecular de 20 a 400kDa e que, em conjunto com a fibroína, forma o fio de seda.…”

The Antiobesity Effects of Buginawa in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes and in a Mouse Model of High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity

“…Therefore, in our study, orlistat-treated groups were administered orlistat at 10 and 20 mg/kg. On the other hand, previous studies using herbal formula have set doses of those at over 200 mg/kg in C57B/6 mice [32, 52–54]. Considering that Bugi is composed of 12 herbs, the doses have been set at 50 and 100 mg/kg.…”