title: Effect of active sub-fraction of Ichnocarpus frutescens (L.) R.Br. in the management of obesity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ichnocarpus frutescens (L.) R.Br. (Apocynaceae) is used by the traditional healers in India to treat diabetes and hyperlipidemia.This work aims to study the antiobesity effect of the active sub-fraction obtained from the leaves of this plant using in vitro and in vivo models.
  
  
  METHODS
  Active sub-fraction (Sfr3) isolated by column chromatography was analyzed using Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Adipogenesis and apoptosis were detected by oil red O and Hoechst-33342 staining, respectively, in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Expression of specific marker genes involved in lipid metabolism was detected by Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and adipose tissues of C57 BL/6J mice, fed with high fat diet (HFD) and treated with Sfr3 and fenofibrate for 45 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The treatment with Sfr3 decreased lipid accumulation and caused apoptosis in adipocytes. In the HFD induced obese animals, serum and liver lipid levels were decreased and a significant decrease in body weight gain was observed dose dependently in 45 days treatment. Histopathological examination showed decrease in adipose mass and liver lipid accumulation. The effect of Sfr3 on the marker genes of adipocytes was significantly regulated at the treated doses both in vitro and in vivo.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sfr3 of Ichnocarpus frutescens is effective in the management of obesity through adipocyte apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Ethnopharmacology, Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600034, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saravanan
authors.affiliation: Division of Ethnopharmacology, Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600034, India.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pandikumar
authors.affiliation: Division of Ethnopharmacology, Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600034, India; Visiting Professor Programme, Deanship of Scientific Research, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: eriloyola@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ignacimuthu
mesh_terms: D041721:3T3-L1 Cells; D000818:Animals; D029062:Apocynaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002470:Cell Survival; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009765:Obesity / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Adipose tissue; Apoptosis; C57 BL/6J mice; Oil red O