The Anti-Obesity Effect of Kaempferia Parviflora (KP) is Attributed to Leptin in Adipose Tissue

Abstract

Kaempferia parviflora (KP) (black ginger) is a plant in Thailand known historically as Kurachai Dam. It belongs to the ginger family and was used as a remedy medicine. Its rhizomes were used to improve obesity, blood flow, inflammation, allergy, and gastrointestinal disorders. However, the mechanism of its anti-obesity effect has not been elucidated. In this study, our purpose was to explore the visceral fat reduction mechanism of KP in vivo. Five weeks old C57BL/6J male mice were used. The mice were fed for 8 weeks with a test food limited to 3 g/day/mouse. We divided the mice into 4 groups as follows: ① normal diet group (controls), ② high fat diet group (HFD), ③ high fat diet + 0.5% black ginger extract group (HFD + KP 0.5%), and ④ high fat diet + black ginger extract 1.0% group (HFD + KP 1.0%). At the end of the 8 th week, the visceral fat of the mice was collected and weighed and the expression levels of adiponectin, leptin, IL-6, and IL-1β in adipose tissues were measured by RT-PCR. Leptin and IL-6 expressions were decreased with a significant difference between group 4 and group 2. Adiponectin expression was significantly higher in group 4 than in group 2. The present study indicated that the anti-obesity effect of KP in vivo normalizes the function of leptin by suppressing its resistance upon ingestion of high-fat meals and inhibits fat accumulation by thermogenesis in brown adipocytes.

Kaempferia parviflora rhizome extract exerts anti-obesity effect in high-fat diet-induced obese C57BL/6N mice

“…However, KPE did not prevent reductions in adiponectin concentrations caused by a HFD. These results are different from previous studies in which KP decreased leptin and increased adiponectin in obese or HFD animal models ( 11 , 31 , 36 , 37 ). The immune system is strongly influenced by leptin’s strong pro-inflammatory effects, and leptin can be secreted by immune stimuli, such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or bacterial infection.…”

“…The KPE-treated groups demonstrated a decrease in BW gain, body fat mass, adipose tissue weight, adipocyte size, and serum levels of glucose, insulin, TG, cholesterol, and leptin. Several recent studies demonstrated that KPE activates brown adipose tissue and increases energy expenditure, resulting in a preventive effect on obesity ( 11 , 22 , 26 ). In addition to this, studies to reveal the mechanism of the anti-obesity effect of KPE are being actively conducted recently.…”

“…In Thailand, the rhizome of KP is called Kurachai Dum and has been used as a traditional remedy to decrease blood glucose levels, improve blood circulation, and boost vitality. KP rhizome extract has been reported to have various pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory ( 6 ), antioxidant ( 7 ), anti-peptic ulcer ( 8 ), anticancer ( 9 ), cardioprotective ( 10 ), anti-obesity ( 11 , 12 ), anti-osteoarthritis ( 13 ), neuroprotective ( 14 ), and antidiabetic ( 15 ) activities. It was also shown to induce skeletal muscle hypertrophy ( 16 ) and enhance endurance capacity ( 17 ).…”