J Cancer Prev.  2015 Mar;20(1):41-49. 10.15430/JCP.2015.20.1.41.

Carnosic Acid Inhibits Lipid Accumulation in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes Through Attenuation of Fatty Acid Desaturation

• Park MY
• Sung MK

• KMID: 2171316
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15430/JCP.2015.20.1.41

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Excess body fat accumulation contributes to the development of metabolic disorders that can cause adverse health effects. Carnosic acid (CA), a major bioactive component of rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis), has been suggested to possess anti-adipogenic properties. The present study was conducted to elucidate the mechanism underlying the anti-adipogenic effects of CA.
METHODS
3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes were treated with CA (0.1, 1, and 10 muM) from day 0 to day 8 of differentiation. On day 8, biochemical markers of lipid accumulation and the degree of fatty acid desaturation were measured.
RESULTS
Oil Red O staining results, triglyceride (TG) accumulation, and glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity suggested that CA significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. CA significantly decreased mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1, and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-alpha in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, it decreased the ratio of both C16:1/C16:0 and C18:1/C18:0, with reduced expression of stearoyl CoA desaturase 1 mRNA and protein.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that CA efficiently suppressed adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and its action, at least in part, is associated with the downregulation of adipogenesis-related genes and the fatty acid composition of TG accumulated in adipocytes.

Keyword

3T3-L1 adipocytes; Carnosic acid; Differentiation; Fatty acid

MeSH Terms

Adipocytes*
Adipogenesis
Adipose Tissue
Biomarkers
Down-Regulation
Glycerol
Oxidoreductases
Peroxisomes
RNA, Messenger
Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase
Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1
Triglycerides
Glycerol
Oxidoreductases
RNA, Messenger
Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase
Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1