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Title

Novel discovery of Averrhoa bilimbi ethanolic leaf extract in the stimulation of brown fat differentiation program in combating diet-induced obesity.

Authors

Lau, Wai Kwan; Noruddin, Nur Adelina Ahmad; Ariffin, Abdul Hadi; Mahmud, Muhd Zulkarnain; Noor, Mohd Hasnan Mohd; Amanah, Azimah; Hamzah, Mohamad Faiz; Zafarina, Zainuddin

Abstract

Background: Brown adipocytes are known to promote energy expenditure and limit weight gain to combat obesity. Averrhoa bilimbi, locally called belimbing buluh (DBB), is mainly used as an ethnomedicine in the treatment of metabolic disorders including diabetes mellitus, hypertension and obesity. The present study aims to investigate the browning activity on white adipocytes by A. bilimbi leaf extract and to evaluate the potential mechanisms. Methods: Ethanolic leaf extract of A. bilimbi was exposed to Myf5 lineage precursor cells to stimulate adipocyte differentiation. Protein expressions of brown adipocyte markers were determined through high content screening analysis and validated through western blotting. Mito Stress Test assay was conducted to evaluate the cellular oxygen consumption rate upon A. bilimbi treatment. Results: A. bilimbi ethanolic leaf extract exhibited an adipogenesis effect similar to a PPARgamma agonist. It also demonstrated brown adipocyte differentiation in myoblastic Myf5-positive precursor cells. Expression of UCP1 and PRDM16 were induced. The basal metabolic rate and respiratory capacity of mitochondria were increased upon A. bilimbi treatment. Conclusions: The findings suggest that Averrhoa bilimbi ethanolic leaf extract induces adipocyte browning through PRDM16 activation and enhances mitochondria activity due to UCP1 up-regulation.

Subjects

LEAVES; BASAL metabolism; CELL differentiation; ETHANOL; FAT cells; GENE expression; MITOCHONDRIA; MUSCLE proteins; OBESITY; WESTERN immunoblotting; PHYTOCHEMICALS; PLANT extracts; TREATMENT effectiveness; OXYGEN consumption; UNCOUPLING proteins; THERAPEUTICS

Publication

BMC Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 2019, Vol 19, Issue 1, pN.PAG

ISSN

1472-6882

Publication type

Academic Journal

DOI

10.1186/s12906-019-2640-3

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