title: Herbal composition Gambigyeongsinhwan (4) from Curcuma longa, Alnus japonica, and Massa Medicata Fermentata inhibits lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells and regulates obesity in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Adipocyte lipid accumulation due to impaired fatty acid oxidation causes adipocyte hypertrophy and adipose tissue increment, leading to obesity. The aim of this study was to determine the antiobesity effects of the herbal composition Gambigyeongsinhwan (4) (GGH(4)) composed of Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae), Alnus japonica (Thunb.) Steud. (Betulaceae), and the fermented traditional Korean medicine Massa Medicata Fermentata.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effects of GGH(4) and the individual components on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and body weight gain in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats were examined using Oil red O staining, hematoxylin and eosin staining, quantitative real-time PCR, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) transactivation assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  GGH(4), individual components, and an active principle of Curcuma longa curcumin inhibited lipid accumulation and mRNA levels of adipocyte-specific genes (PPARγ, aP2, and C/EBPα) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes compared with control cells. Treatment with GGH(4), the individual components or curcmumin increased mRNA levels of mitochondrial (CPT-1, MCAD, and VLCAD) and peroxisomal (ACOX and thiolase) PPARα target genes. GGH(4) and the individual components also increased PPARα reporter gene expression compared with control cells. These effects were most prominent in GGH(4)-treated cells. However, the PPARα antagonist GW6471 reversed the inhibitory effects of GGH(4) on adipogenesis. An in vivo study showed that GGH(4) decreased body weight gain, adipose tissue mass, and visceral adipocyte size with increasing mRNA levels of adipose tissue PPARα target genes in OLETF rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results demonstrate that GGH(4) has an antiobesity effects through the inhibition of adipocyte lipid accumulation, and this process may be mediated in part through adipose PPARα activation.
authors.affiliation: Formula Sciences, College of Oriental Medicine, Dongeui University, Busan 614-052, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Sung
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Roh
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mokwon University, Daejeon 302-729, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyunghee
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mokwon University, Daejeon 302-729, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sangee
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Woo
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mokwon University, Daejeon 302-729, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Miso
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mokwon University, Daejeon 302-729, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jeongjun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Formula Sciences, College of Oriental Medicine, Dongguk University, Goyang 410-773, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sun Dong
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Formula Sciences, College of Oriental Medicine, Dongeui University, Busan 614-052, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: ssshin@deu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Soon Shik
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, Mokwon University, Daejeon 302-729, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: yoon60@mokwon.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Michung
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoon
mesh_terms: D041721:3T3-L1 Cells; D029661:Alnus; D000818:Animals; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D022762:CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D030024:Curcuma; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D055670:Medicine, Korean Traditional; D051379:Mice; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D010080:Oxazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D047493:PPAR alpha / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000235:genetics; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020334:Rats, Inbred OLETF; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000378:metabolism; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D022762:CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Proteins; C530718:CEBPA protein, mouse; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C493411:Fabp4 protein, mouse; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins; C449302:GW 6471; D010080:Oxazoles; D047493:PPAR alpha; D047495:PPAR gamma; D010936:Plant Extracts; D028321:Plant Preparations; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014280:Triglycerides; C000607504:gambigyeongsinhwan; C000607503:massa medicata fermentata; D014443:Tyrosine
keywords: Alnus japonica; Antiobesity; Curcuma longa; Lipid accumulation; Massa Medicata Fermentata; PPARα