The Korean traditional medicine Gyeongshingangjeehwan inhibits adipocyte hypertrophy and visceral adipose tissue accumulation by activating PPARα actions in rat white adipose tissues

Aim of the studyGyeongshingangjeehwan (GGEx), which is a polyherbal drug composed of four medicinal plants, has traditionally been used as anti-obesity drug in Korean local clinics. Thus, we investigated the effects of GGEx on visceral adiposity and examined whether adipose peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) activation is involved in this process.Materials and methodsAfter Obese Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats and differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with GGEx, we studied the effects of GGEx on not only visceral white adipose tissue (WAT) mass and adipocyte size, but also the expression of adipocyte marker and PPARα target genes.ResultsAdministration of GGEx to obese rats for 8 weeks decreased visceral WAT weight by 30% and the size of adipocytes in mesenteric WAT by 31% without weight changes of other organs. Concomitantly, GGEx increased mRNA levels of PPARα target genes responsible for fatty acid β-oxidation in mesenteric WAT whereas decreased mRNA expression of adipocyte markers, such as PPARγ, aP2 and leptin. Serological studies demonstrated that plasma levels of free fatty acids and triglycerides as well as insulin and glucose were decreased following GGEx treatment. Consistent with the in vivo data, GGEx increased PPARα reporter gene activity and induced the mRNA expression of PPARα target genes involved in mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation in 3T3-L1 cells. GGEx also inhibited triglyceride accumulation in these cells.ConclusionThese results suggest that GGEx promotes the reductions in visceral fat mass and adipocyte size in obese animals, and that this event may be mediated by adipose PPARα activation.

Gyeongshingangjeehwan (GGEx), a mixture of four herbs Liriope platyphylla (42.86%), Platycodon grandiflorum (28.57%), Schisandra chinensis (14.29%), and Ephedra sinica (14.28%), increases the expression of PPARα target genes involved in fatty acid (FA) β-oxidation in visceral adipose tissues of obese rats and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These changes led to decreased adipocyte size and improved visceral obesity in obese animals. In addition, since GGEx seems to normalize higher levels of plasma lipids and adipose leptin mRNA, it may be useful for treating metabolic diseases, such as insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide