Bojungchiseub-tang (BJCST) has been used in symptoms and signs of edema, dampness-phlegm, kidney failure, and so on. BJCST is also expected to have strong anti-obesity activities. However, little is known about the mechanisms of its inhibitory effects on adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis. In the present study, we examined the effects and mechanism of BJCST on transcription factors and adipogenic genes of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes to understand its inhibitory effects on adipocyte differentiation and adipogenesis. Our results showed that BJCST significantly inhibited differentiation and adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner. To elucidate the mechanism of the effects of BJCST on lowering lipid content in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, we examined whether BJCST modulate the expressions of transcription factors to induce adipogenesis and adipogenic genes related to regulate accumulation of lipids. As a result, the expression of SREBP1, cytidine-cytidine-adenosine-adenosine-thymidine (CCAAT)/enhancer binding proteins α (C/EBPα), C/EBPβ, C/EBPδ, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) genes, which induce the adipose differentiation and adipose-specific aP2, Adipsin, LPL, CD36, TGF-β, Leptin and Adiponectin genes, which compose fat formation were decreased. BJCST also reduced the expression of ACO and UCP genes related to lipid oxidation. Futhermore, BJCST suppressed the production of proinflammatory cytokines, prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide and the related gene expressions resulting in inflammation. In addition, BJCST decreased the phosphorylation of MAPK and PI3K/Akt and the expression of PPARγand C/EBPαwhich promote adipogenesis for the mitotic clonal expansion stage in differentiation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In conclusion, BJCST could regulate transcript factor related to induction of adipose differentiation and inhibited the accumulation of lipids and expression of adipogenic genes.
Key words : Bojungchiseub-tang(BJCST), obesity, 3T3-L1 preadipocyte, adipocytes differentiation, adipogenic genes