This study was conducted to explore the antiadipogenic effect and possible mechanism of
Gambisan on 3T3-L1 cells. For quality control,
Gambisan was standardized by HPLC and the standard compounds
ephedrine,
epigallocatechin-3-gallate, and
caffeine were screened. Cultured 3T3-L1 cells that had been induced to differentiate were treated with various concentrations of
Gambisan or its major component extracts (Ephedra intermedia Schrenk, Atractylodes lancea DC., and Thea sinensis L.) for 72 hours for MTT assay to determine cell viability or 10 days for LDH assay,
triglyceride assay,
DNA content measurement,
Oil red O staining, RT-PCR, and western blot.
Gambisan significantly inhibited adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells by reducing
triglyceride contents and
lipid accumulation in a dose-dependent manner without obvious cytotoxicity. Viability and
DNA content in 3T3-L1 cells treated with
Gambisan were significantly higher than cells treated with the major component extracts at every concentration. The anti-adipogenic effects of
Gambisan appeared to be mediated by a significant downregulation of the expression of
lipoprotein lipase mRNA and
PPAR γ , C/EBP α , and SREBP-1
protein apart from the expression of
hormone-sensitive lipase.
Gambisan could act as a possible therapeutic agent for
obesity. However, further studies including in vivo assays and clinical trials are needed to confirm the efficacy, safety and mechanisms of the antiobesity effects of
Gambisan.