Ginsenoside Rc promotes anti-adipogenic activity on 3T3-L1 adipocytes by down-regulating C/EBPα and PPARγ

Abstract

Panax ginseng and its major components, the ginsenosides, are widely used in oriental medicine for the prevention of various disorders. In the present study, the inhibitory activity of ginsenoside Rc on adipogenesis was investigated using the 3T3-L1 cell line. The results obtained showed that Rc reduced the proliferation and viability of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with Rc decreased the number of adipocytes and reduced lipid accumulation in maturing 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, demonstrating an inhibitory effect on lipogenesis. Moreover, it was found that Rc directly induced lipolysis in adipocytes and down-regulated the expression of major transcription factors of the adipogenesis pathway, such as PPARγ and C/EBPα. These findings indicate that Rc is capable of suppressing adipogenesis and therefore they seem to be natural bioactive factors effective in adipose tissue mass modulation.

Figure 1

The effects of Rc on adipocyte differentiation (A) Post-confluent 3T3-L1 cells were differentiated in the absence or in the presence of Rc. Lipid content was quantified by measuring absorbance. Results are representative of three independent experiments, and statistically significant data are expressed as p < 0.05; (B) Lipid droplets were measured by Oil Red O staining. ^a–d Significant difference in treatment concentrating to ANOVA followed by Duncan (p < 0.05).

Figure 2

Effect of different Rc concentrations on the accumulation of triglyceide in adipocytes. Results are representative of three independent experiments, and statistically significant data are expressed as p < 0.05. ^a–d Significant difference in treatment concentrating to ANOVA followed by Duncan (p < 0.05).

Figure 3

Effect of ginsenoside Rc on protein expression of (A) PPARγ; and (B) C/EBPα in 3T3-L1 cells. 3T3-L1 adipocytes were harvested 9 days after the initiation of differentiation. Expression was analysed by western blotting using specific antibodies. Data are presented as the mean ± standard errorof triplicate experiments. ^a–c significant difference in treatment concentrating to ANOVA followed by Duncan (p < 0.05).