Effects of Ethanol Crude Extract of Helicteres Isora Fruit on Adipogenesis and Fat Accumulation in 3T3-L1 Cells

Abstract

Helicteres isora Linn. (H. isora) has revealed great potential in antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and hypolipidemic activities in diabetic rats. Fruits and roots of this plant previously exhibited the antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic activities. There has been no research study about the direct effects of H. isora extract on lipid metabolism in adipocytic cells. Thus, the objectives of this study were to determine if ethanol crude extract from H. isora fruit would affect 3T3-L1 adipogenesis and fat accumulation within mature adipocytes as well as hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and adiponectin gene transcription. Adipogenesis and fat accumulation were assessed by measuring the amount of triglyceride within fat droplets formed in the cytoplasm of 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes. It was found that ethanol crude extract of H. isora fruit (500 g/mL) significantly induced adipocyte differentiation and slightly increased fat accumulation (no significance) within 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes presented as triglyceride/protein ratio (%fold change). In addition, adiponectin and HSL mRNA levels, determined by real-time RT-PCR, were significantly reduced in ethanol crude extract-treated cells. These results indicate that the ethanol crude extract of H. isora fruit probably induces obesity by increasing of both number (adipogenesis) and size (fat accumulation) of adipocytes. Ethanol fruit extract of H. isora might not be useful for diabetic prevention.