BACKGROUND

The dry ripe fruit of the Akebia quinata (A. quinata) plant is used as an analgesic, an antiphlogistic, and a diuretic in traditional medicine. A. quinata has also been used in Korea as a crude drug for treating obesity. The aim of the study was to determine the anti-obesity and hypolipidemic effects of A. quinata extract (AQE) in mice consuming a high-fat diet and in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

METHODS

We measured obesity-related physiological parameters, gene expression, and protein phosphorylation in mice consuming a high-fat diet supplemented with AQE (400mg/kg/day) for 6.5 weeks.

RESULTS

AQE reduced gain in body weight, adipose tissue weight, and serum lipid levels in mice consuming a high-fat diet. AQE supplementation reduced expression of genes related to adipogenesis and increased expression of PPARα, acetyl-CoA oxidase, and adiponectin in the epididymal adipose tissue. Furthermore, AQE increased phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, both of which are related to fatty acid oxidation, in vivo. HPLC analysis revealed that AQE contained chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, and isochlorogenic acid C. AQE and all of these constituents inhibited differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells and enhanced AMPK phosphorylation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest the AQE exerted anti-obesity and hypolipidemic effects in mice consuming a high-fat diet by regulating adipogenesis and fatty acid oxidation via AMPK activation.