The Identification of Botanicals that Modulate Adipocyte Development and Function

Adipocytes play a major role in energy homeostasis. They are the principal sites of lipid storage, are insulin sensitive, and secrete endocrine hormones. Obesity is the primary disease of fat cells and is a major risk factor for the development of metabolic syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM). Thus, botanicals which alter the properties of fat cells could be protective or causative of metabolic syndrome and/or T2DM. In a screen of botanical extracts for potential novel therapeutic modulators of adipocytes, we identified both positive and negative regulators of fat cell development. Our studies reveal that several Artemisia species extracts are positive modulators of adipocyte differentiation and may have a beneficial impact on adipocyte related diseases by promoting adipogenesis, lipid storage, adiponectin expression and insulin sensitivity. Alternatively, extracts from Hypericum perforatum, commonly known as St. John's Wort (SJW), which is widely used as a treatment for mild depression, significantly impaired adipogenesis and induced insulin resistance [1]. Thus, SJW may have a negative impact on adipocyte related diseases by limiting adipogenesis and significantly inducing insulin resistance in mature fat cells.

Acknowledgements: AJR is supported by a NIH T-32 Botanicals postdoctoral training fellowship. Support for this research from PBRC Botanical Research Center pilot funding and from ODS and NCAAM (NIH grant P50AT002776–06) is gratefully acknowledged.

References: [1] Amini Z, Boyd B, et al. (2009) Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 388: 146–149.