The Korean traditional medicine Gyeongshingangjeehwan inhibits obesity through the regulation of leptin and PPARalpha action in OLETF rats.

Abstract

Gyeongshingangjeehwan (GGEx), which comprises Liriope platyphylla F.T. Wang & T. Tang (Liliaceae), Platycodongrandiflorum A. DC. (Campanulaceae), Schisandrachinensis K. Koch (Magnoliaceae), and Ephedra sinica Stapf (Ephedraceae), has traditionally been used as an anti-obesity drug in Korean local clinics, although there is no evidence concerning the scientific analyses of its effects and mechanism(s) of action. Thus, we investigated the effects of GGEx on obesity, as well as the mechanism by which GGEx functions, in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) male rats. Compared with obese OLETF control rats, administration of GGEx for 8 weeks significantly decreased food intake and plasma leptin levels as well as body weight gain and abdominal fat in OLETF rats. GGEx treatment not only decreased circulating triglycerides, but also inhibited lipid accumulation in the liver. GGEx increased the hepatic mRNA levels of PPARalpha target genes responsible for fatty acid beta-oxidation. Consistent with the in vivo data, GGEx elevated PPARalpha reporter gene expression in NMu2Li liver cells. These results suggest that GGEx may effectively prevent obesity and hypertriglyceridemia in part through the inhibition of feeding and the activation of hepatic PPARalpha.

• Authors: Sunhyo Jeong, Kyungsil Chae, Yang Sam Jung, Young Ho Rho, Jinmi Lee, Juran Ha, Ki Hyeon Yoon, Gyeong Cheol Kim, Ki Sook Oh, Soon Shik Shin, Michung Yoon
• Journal: Journal of ethnopharmacology (J Ethnopharmacol) Vol. 119 Issue 2 Pg. 245-51 (Sep 26 2008) ISSN: 0378-8741 [Print] Ireland
• PMID: 18674606 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Obesity Agents
• Leptin
• PPAR alpha
• RNA, Messenger
• Triglycerides

Topics

• Abdominal Fat (drug effects)
• Animals
• Anti-Obesity Agents (isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Cell Line
• Eating (drug effects)
• Gene Expression Regulation (drug effects)
• Genes, Reporter (drug effects)
• Leptin (blood)
• Liver (drug effects, metabolism)
• Male
• Medicine, Korean Traditional
• Mice
• Obesity (physiopathology, prevention & control)
• PPAR alpha (drug effects, metabolism)
• Plants, Medicinal (chemistry)
• RNA, Messenger (drug effects, metabolism)
• Rats
• Rats, Inbred OLETF
• Rats, Long-Evans
• Triglycerides (blood)
• Weight Gain (drug effects)