Lipid-Lowering and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Campomanesia adamantium Leaves in Adipocytes and Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

Obesity is a pandemic disease characterized by lipid accumulation, increased proinflammatory cytokines, and reactive oxygen species. It is associated with the development of comorbidities that lead to death. Additionally, drug treatments developed to control obesity are insufficient and have a variety of adverse effects. Thus, the search for new anti-obesity therapies is necessary. Campomanesia adamantium is a species from the Brazilian Cerrado that has the potential to treat obesity, as described by the antihyperlipidemic activity of its roots. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the activity of the aqueous extract of C. adamantium leaves (AECa) on the control of reactive species in vitro, on lipid accumulation in adipocytes and Caenorhabditis elegans, and on the production of proinflammatory cytokines in adipocytes. The antioxidant capacity of AECa was observed by its action in scavenging DPPH^• free radical, iron-reducing power, and inhibition of β-carotene bleaching. AECa reduced lipid accumulation in preadipocytes and in C. elegans. Moreover, AECa reduced the production of the proinflammatory cytokines MCP-1, TNF-α, and IL-6 in adipocytes. In summary, the antioxidant activity and the ability of AECa to reduce the accumulation of lipids and proinflammatory cytokines indicate, for the first time, the anti-obesity potential of C. adamantium leaves.

Keywords: guavira; inflammation; obesity; oxidative stress.

Figure 1

Cellular viability of preadipocytes incubated with different concentrations (3.1, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL) of aqueous extract of C. adamantium leaves (AECa): (A) 24 h and (B) 48 h. Results are expressed as means ± SEM. * p < 0.05 versus Control.

Figure 2

Lipid content observed by the percentage of Oil red in preadipocytes and differentiated adipocytes treated with different concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL) of aqueous extract of C. adamantium leaves (AECa): (A) percentage of Oil red in preadipocytes treated with AECa followed by an 8-day induction of differentiation; (B) photomicrographs of preadipocytes treated with AECa followed by an 8-day induction of differentiation at 400× magnification; (C) percentage of Oil red in adipocytes by an 8-day differentiation induction followed by 48 h AECa treatment. Results are expressed as means ± SEM. ### p < 0.001 versus Control; ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.01 versus adipogenic medium (0 µg/mL).

Figure 3

Cytokine production in preadipocytes and hypertrophied adipocytes treated with different concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 100 µg/mL) of aqueous extract of C. adamantium leaves (AECa): (A) MCP-1; (B) TNF-α; (C) IL-6; and (D) IL-10. Results are expressed as means ± SEM. ## p < 0.01, ### p < 0.001, and #### p < 0.0001 versus Control; * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01, *** p < 0.001, and **** p < 0.0001 versus adipogenic medium.

Figure 4

Viability and lipid content of C. elegans treated with different concentrations (100, 200, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 µg/mL) of aqueous extract of C. adamantium leaves (AECa): (A) 24 h and 48 h; (B) lipids (area/average); (C) photomicrographs of C. elegans at 100× magnification. Results are expressed as means ± SEM. * p < 0.05 and **** p < 0.0001 versus Control.