Triterpenes present in Eucalyptus tereticornis inhibit adipocyte lipid accumulation and reduce their toxicity when they are in a plant extract

Obesity is a complex condition with an enlargement of adipose tissue to store excess energy intake. We have identified Ursolic acid (UA), Oleanolic acid (OA) and Ursolic acid lactone (UAL) as the main molecules (78%) in an Eucalyptus tereticornis (Eu) extract (OBE100) and shown OBE100 has an important effect of reducing lipogenesis in adipocyte cell lines [1]. Our objective is to compare the effects of the triterpenes mixture present in the natural extract with the same amount of the molecules outside the extract. Murine 3T3-L1 adipocyte cell line was used to evaluate OBE100, M1 (mix of triterpenes present in OBE100), UA, OA and UAL biological activity. We determined treatments concentrations after the analysis of cytotoxicity levels of the different compounds and mixes. We found that cell lipid storage and leptin protein levels were reduced with each treatment but principally with OBE100, M1 and UA. However, M1 and UA outside of the plant extract present a significant higher cytotoxicity and have no effect on cellular oxidative stress while OBE100 no-triterpene fraction reduces the oxidative burst. OBE100 treatment also inhibits the expression of adipogenic and lipogenic genes (PPAR-γ, C/EBPα, SREBP-1c, ACC) and increases the expression of lipolytic genes (PPAR-α) in a higher level than the triterpenes outside the extract. These results suggest triterpenes present in Eu have anti-obesity properties but the combination of these triterpenes with other minor molecules present in the vegetal extract may have a synergistic or additive effect that improves them, reducing their toxicity and improving their biological properties.

• References

• 1 Ceballos S, Guilí En A, Lorena D, Noz M, Castã A, Echeverri LF, Acín S, Bal N, Bal Azar N. Immunometabolic regulation by triterpenes of Eucalyptus tereticornis in adipose tissue cell line models. Phytomedicine 2018; 15 (50) : 109-117