Nepeta japonica Maximowicz extract from natural products inhibits lipid accumulation.
BACKGROUND
To develop novel and crude anti-obesity drugs from natural products is a promising field to approach the solution to a global health problem such as obesity. The aim of this study was to screen crude anti-obesity drugs from 400 natural products on lipase inhibition activity in vitro.


RESULTS
Among the natural products examined, 31 extracts showed significantly inhibition activity against porcine pancreatic lipase (triacylglycerol lipase, EC 3.1.1.3) by using spectrophotometry with 2,4-dinitrophenylbutyrate as a substrate. Furthermore, 31 natural products were investigated with regard to their lipid inhibition in 3T3-L1 cells. Among these, one of most promising was Nepeta japonica Maximowicz extract, which showed inhibition of triglyceride accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, suggesting anti-obesity activity. Also, the amount of glycerol released from cells into the medium was increased by treatment of Nepeta japonica Maximowicz extract at a concentration of 100 µg mL(-1) .


CONCLUSIONS
The present study suggests that a promising crude anti-obesity drug screened from 400 natural products might be of therapeutic interest with respect to the treatment of obesity.
Radiation Research Division for Biotechnology, Advanced Radiation Technology Institute (ARTI), Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI), 1266, Sinjeong-dong, Jeongeup, Jeonbuk 580-185, South Korea. chroh@kaeri.re.kr
Changhyun
C
Roh
Uhee
U
Jung
D041721:3T3-L1 Cells; D017667:Adipocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005990:Glycerol / Q000378:metabolism; D008049:Lipase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D027521:Nepeta; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013552:Swine; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism*
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014280:Triglycerides; D008049:Lipase; D005990:Glycerol