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18β‐glycyrrhetinic acid attenuates anandamide‐induced adiposity and high‐fat diet induced obesity
Author(s) -
Park Miyoung,
Lee JiHae,
Choi Jin Kyu,
Hong Yong Deog,
Bae IlHong,
Lim KyungMin,
Park YoungHo,
Ha Hunjoo
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
molecular nutrition and food research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.495
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1613-4133
pISSN - 1613-4125
DOI - 10.1002/mnfr.201300763
Subject(s) - anandamide , endocrinology , medicine , chemistry , adipocyte , adipogenesis , downregulation and upregulation , endocannabinoid system , mapk/erk pathway , pharmacology , agonist , biochemistry , adipose tissue , signal transduction , biology , cannabinoid receptor , receptor , gene
Scope Previous reports suggest that licorice extract has various metabolically beneficial effects and may help to alleviate adiposity and hyperlipidemia. However, underlying anti‐obesity mechanisms still remain elusive. Moreover, it is unknown which single ingredient in licorice extract would mediate such effects. We aimed to demonstrate that licorice extract and its active ingredients can inhibit adipocyte differentiation and fat accumulation. Methods and results 18β‐glycyrrhetinic acid (18β‐GA) alleviated the effects of CB 1 R agonist, anandamide ( AEA ) on CB 1 R signaling in a concentration‐dependent manner. Consistently, 18β‐ GA suppressed AEA ‐induced adipocyte differentiation in 3 T 3‐ L 1 cells through the downregulation of AEA ‐induced MAPK activation and expression of adipogenic genes including C / EBP ‐α and PPAR‐γ. The protein levels of fatty acid synthase and stearoyl‐ C o A desaturase 1 were also decreased and the phosphorylation of acetyl‐CoA carboxylase was increased in 18β‐ GA pretreated cells. The supplementation of 18β‐ GA significantly lowered body weight, fat weight, and plasma lipids levels in obese animal models. Conclusion These results may provide a novel insight into the molecular mechanism involved in anti‐adipogenic and anti‐obesity effects of 18β‐ GA by suppressing the activation of CB 1 R induced by AEA . Thus, 18β‐ GA may exert beneficial effects against obesity‐related metabolic disorders.