Sunday, April 18, 2010

Brazilian Red Propolis May Help Fight Obesity

Ethanolic Extracts of Brazilian Red Propolis Promote Adipocyte Differentiation Through PPARgamma Activation
Phytomedicine, 2010 Apr 9

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of present study was to investigate the effects of ethanolic extracts of red propolis (EERP) on adipogenesis and evaluate the molecular basis for their anti-obesity effects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We tested whether EERP alone could induce differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells, regulate the expression of adipocyte-specific genes and reverse inhibitory effects of TNF-alpha on their differentiation. Next, we performed a luciferase reporter gene assay to test whether EERP could enhance transcriptional activities of PPARgamma and adiponectin promoter activities.

RESULTS: EERP strongly induced differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into adipocytes, and enhanced the PPARgamma transcriptional activity and adiponectin promoter activity. In addition, EERP attenuated the inhibitory effect of TNF-alpha on adipocyte differentiation and adiponectin production in mature adipocytes.

CONCLUSION: The present study indicates that EERP enhance differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes in part by its potency of PPARgamma activation and are capable of reversing inhibitory effects of TNF-alpha on adipocyte differentiation and adiponectin expression. These results suggest the value of EERP as a diet supplement for prevention and treatment of obesity and obesity-associated disorders.

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