The Korean Mistletoe (Viscum album coloratum) Extract Has an Antiobesity Effect and Protects against Hepatic Steatosis in Mice with High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity.
This study investigates the inhibitory effects of Korean mistletoe extract (KME) on adipogenic factors in 3T3-L1 cells and obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mice fed a high-fat diet. Male C57Bl/6 mice fed a high-fat diet were treated with KME (3 g/kg/day) for 15 weeks for the antiobesity and NAFLD experiments. Body weight and daily food intake were measured regularly during the experimental period. The epididymal pad was measured and liver histology was observed. The effects of KME on thermogenesis and endurance capacity were measured. The effects of KME on adipogenic factors were examined in 3T3-L1 cells. Body and epididymal fat pad weights were reduced in KME-treated mice, and histological examination showed an amelioration of fatty liver in KME-treated mice, without an effect on food consumption. KME potently induces mitochondrial activity by activating thermogenesis and improving endurance capacity. KME also inhibited adipogenic factors in vitro. These results demonstrate the inhibitory effects of KME on obesity and NAFLD in mice fed a high-fat diet. The effects appear to be mediated through an enhanced mitochondrial activity. Therefore, KME may be an effective therapeutic candidate for treating obesity and fatty liver caused by a high-fat diet.
School of Life and Food Sciences, Handong Global University, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 791-708, Republic of Korea ; Research and Development Team, Pohang Center for Evaluation of Biomaterials, Pohang, Gyeongbuk 790-834, Republic of Korea ; Division of Integrative Biosciences and Biotechnology (IBB), POSTECH (WCU), Pohang, Gyeongbuk 790-784, Republic of Korea.
Hoe-Yune
HY
Jung
Yu-Hee
YH
Kim
In-Bo
IB
Kim
Ju Seong
JS
Jeong
Jung-Han
JH
Lee
Myoung-Sool
MS
Do
Seung-Pil
SP
Jung
Kwang-Soo
KS
Kim
Kyong-Tai
KT
Kim
Jong-Bae
JB
Kim