title: Stimulation of Apolipoprotein A-IV expression in Caco-2/TC7 enterocytes and reduction of triglyceride formation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes by potential anti-obesity Chinese herbal medicines.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chinese medicine has been proposed as a novel strategy for the prevention of metabolic disorders such as obesity. The present study tested 17 Chinese medicinal herbs were tested for their potential anti-obesity effects.
  
  
  METHODS
  The herbs were evaluated in terms of their abilities to stimulate the transcription of Apolipoprotein A-IV (ApoA-IV) in cultured Caco-2/TC7 enterocytes. The herbs that showed stimulating effects on ApoA-IV transcription were further evaluated in terms of their abilities to reduce the formation of triglyceride in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  ApoA-IV transcription was stimulated by Rhizoma Alismatis and Radix Angelica Sinensis in a dose- and time-dependent manner in cultured Caco-2/TC7 cells. Moreover, these two herbs reduced the amount of triglyceride in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results suggest that Rhizoma Alistmatis and Radix Angelica Sinensis may have potential anti-obesity effects as they stimulate ApoA-IV transcription and reduce triglyceride formation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, PR China. avaguo@ust.hk
authors.forename: Ava Jiangyang
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Roy Chi-yan
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Anna Wing-han
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ivy Xiaoying
authors.initials: IX
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Tina Tingxia
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Karl Wah-keung
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Tsim
authors.forename: Brad Wing-chuen
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Lau