The natural compound, formononetin, extracted from Astragalus membranaceus increases adipocyte thermogenesis by modulating PPARγ activity.

ABSTRACT:

Background and purpose

Increasing energy expenditure through adipocyte thermogenesis is generally accepted as a promising strategy to mitigate obesity and its related diseases. However, few clinically effective and safe agents are known to promote adipocyte thermogenesis. In this study, 20 traditional Chinese herbal medicines were screened to examine whether they induced adipocyte thermogenesis.

Experimental approach

The effects of Chinese herbal medicines or components isolated from extracts of A. membranaceus, on adipocyte thermogenesis were analysed by assessing expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) by qPCR. Eight-week-old C57BL6/J male mice were fed a high-fat diet for 8 weeks and then randomized to two groups treated with vehicle or formononetin for another 8 weeks.

SUBMITTER: Nie T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5900995 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature