Aqueous extracts of hulled barley containing coumaric acid and ferulic acid inhibit adipogenesis in vitro and obesity in vivo

• An aqueous extract from hulled barley (AHB) was effective in anti-adipogenesis.
• Roasting condition affected anti-adipogenic activities of AHB.
• Aqueous extracts of hulled barley prevented obesity in obese C57BL/6 mice.
• Oral administration of AHB prevented weight gain in ovariectomized female rats.
• Coumaric acid and ferulic acid can mediate anti-adipogenic actions of AHB.

World epidemic obesity is a major contributing factor to metabolic diseases including insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases. In this study, aqueous and ethanolic extracts of hulled barley with roasting temperatures of up to 250 °C were investigated for their anti-adipogenic effects in vitro and in vivo. An aqueous extract of hulled barley roasted at 210 °C (AHB210) effectively inhibited adipocyte differentiation. Intraperitoneal injections of 15 or 50 mg/kg AHB210 dose dependently prevented body weight gain, fat mass increase, and dysregulated lipid profiles in high fat diet-induced obese male mice. In addition, oral administration of AHB210 to ovariectomized rats also prevented body weight gain. A high performance liquid chromatographic analysis identified coumaric acid and ferulic acid as primary anti-obesity mediators. The presence of beta glucan in AHB210 was less likely to be responsible for the lipid accumulating actions. Taken together, AHB210 may be useful to prevent obesity and its related metabolic diseases.