Jong-Deog Kim

Theasaponin E1 as an effective ingredient for anti-angiogenesis and anti-obesity effects

Theasaponin E1 (TSE1) has been suggested to have higher biological activity than other saponins present in tea seed. Saponins have recently been considered as a potential chemotherapeutic agent for treating cancer. We examined the anti-angiogenic and anti-obesity properties of TSE1 contributing to anti-cancer efficacy. Treating with a 10 μg/mL concentration of TSE1 completely inhibited tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). TSE1 showed toxicity toward cancer cells and inhibited in vivo growth of the tumor. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor complex was suppressed, leading to the inhibition of protein kinase B (Akt) expression and down-regulation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB) activation. The differentiating 3T3-L1 cells treated with TSE1 had decreased lipid droplet formation measured by Oil Red O staining. Reduced weight was measured in mice fed with a TSE1 plus high-fat diet. The results taken together, and particularly the NF-kB inhibition, suggest that TSE1 may have multi-target action for treating cancer as a novel chemotherapeutic agent. Graphical Abstract Bioactive theasaponin E1 (TSE1) suppresses multi-component receptor complex by inhibition of AKT and PI3K, leading to suppressive effect on NF-κB expression.

Inhibitory Effects of Corni Fructus Extract on Angiogenesis and Adipogenesis

Natural products in Chonnam, Korea were screened via anti-angiogenesis experiments, and 1 candidate product was identified, Corni fructus, which exerted dose-dependent inhibitory effects against angiogenesis, adipogenesis, and cell adhesion. C. fructus extract (CFE) exhibits an angiogenesis inhibitory effect superior to that of the EGCG from green tea leaves. The expression level of angiogenesis and adipogenesis-related signal molecules in the western blotting was reduced by increasing the amount of added CFE. Moreover, a diet supplemented with CFE was deemed more effective in inducing weight loss in LB mice than a representative synthetic diet drug, orlistat, which incidently caused the side effect of denuding the mice of their hair. These results indicate that C. fructus may prove to be a useful anti-adipogenic compound, and these in vitro results may be reflected later under in vivo conditions.

Anti-angiogenesis and anti-adipogenesis effects of Anthrisci radix extract

Natural products in Chonnam, the Republic of Korea were screened via anti-angiogenesis experiments, and one candidate product of A. radix extract (ARE) was identified. A. radix extract (ARE) exerted dose-dependent inhibitory effects against angiogenesis, adipogenesis, and cell adhesion. ARE exhibits an angiogenesis inhibitory effect superior to that of the EGCG from the green tea leaves. The expression level of angiogenesis and adipogenesis-related signal molecules in the Western blotting was reduced by increasing the amount of added ARE. Moreover, a diet supplemented with ARE was deemed more effective in inducing weight loss in LB mice than a representative synthetic diet drug, orlistat, which incidentally caused the side effects of denuding the mice of their hair. These results indicate that ARE may prove to be a useful anti-adipogenic compound, and the in vitro results may be reflected at a later time under in vivo conditions.

Anti-hyperlipidemic and fat pad lowering effect of standardized tea seed cake extract in mice fed high-fat and high-carbohydrate diet

Camellia sinensis L. O. Kuntze has traditionally been used in Asian countries as a stimulant, a diuretic, and to prevent obesity. Studies in green tea are well-documented in literature, though the potential of fruit from the plant has never been studied in details. In the present study, the anti-adipogenic effect of aqueous extract of green tea seed cake extract (GTE) were analysed in-vitro and the anti-obesity effects were determined in-vivo in murine model fed high-fat and high-carbohydrate diets. We found that GTE inhibited the lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocyte and significantly lowered body weight, body fat-pad weights, blood lipid, glucose, insulin, and leptin levels in mice fed high-fat and high-carbohydrate diets. GTE suppressed the expression of important adipogenic genes (PPARγ, C/EBPα, SREBP, LPL, aP2 and leptin) and lipid metabolism genes (FAS). Furthermore, GTE induced the levels of adiponectin in serum and adipose tissue, as well as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in liver tissue. These results suggested that GTE ameliorates its anti-obesity effect through multiple cells signaling pathways in diets induced obesity in mice.

Psoraleae semen Extract Inhibits Angiogenesis and Adipogenesis

Ethanol extracts of Psoraleae semen (PSE) are used in Korean folk medicine for tuberculostasis, nycturia, sarcoma, inflammation, and cancer. We investigated the utility of P. semen extract for the suppression of angiogenesis and adipogenesis. Eighteen natural products were screened using anti-angiogenesis experiments, and one candidate product was identified. Psoraleae semen provided dosedependent inhibition of angiogenesis, adipogenesis, and cell adhesion in vitro and weight loss in mice in vivo. The anti-angiogenenic efficacy of PSE was superior to that of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) obtained from green tea leaves. The expression of angiogenesis and adipogenesisrelated signal molecules was reduced by increasing the doses of PSE. A diet supplemented with PSE provided more effective weight loss in LB mice than did orlistat, a representative synthetic diet drug, which also caused hairloss in LB mice. P. semen may be a useful antiadipogenic compound if these in vitro results are replicated under in vivo conditions.