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BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 1/2019

Open Access 01-12-2019 | Obesity | Research article

Novel discovery of Averrhoa bilimbi ethanolic leaf extract in the stimulation of brown fat differentiation program in combating diet-induced obesity

Authors: Wai Kwan Lau, Nur Adelina Ahmad Noruddin, Abdul Hadi Ariffin, Muhd Zulkarnain Mahmud, Mohd Hasnan Mohd Noor, Azimah Amanah, Mohamad Faiz Hamzah, Zainuddin Zafarina

Published in: BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | Issue 1/2019

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Abstract

Background

Brown adipocytes are known to promote energy expenditure and limit weight gain to combat obesity. Averrhoa bilimbi, locally called belimbing buluh (DBB), is mainly used as an ethnomedicine in the treatment of metabolic disorders including diabetes mellitus, hypertension and obesity. The present study aims to investigate the browning activity on white adipocytes by A. bilimbi leaf extract and to evaluate the potential mechanisms.

Methods

Ethanolic leaf extract of A. bilimbi was exposed to Myf5 lineage precursor cells to stimulate adipocyte differentiation. Protein expressions of brown adipocyte markers were determined through high content screening analysis and validated through western blotting. Mito Stress Test assay was conducted to evaluate the cellular oxygen consumption rate upon A. bilimbi treatment.

Results

A. bilimbi ethanolic leaf extract exhibited an adipogenesis effect similar to a PPARgamma agonist. It also demonstrated brown adipocyte differentiation in myoblastic Myf5-positive precursor cells. Expression of UCP1 and PRDM16 were induced. The basal metabolic rate and respiratory capacity of mitochondria were increased upon A. bilimbi treatment.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that Averrhoa bilimbi ethanolic leaf extract induces adipocyte browning through PRDM16 activation and enhances mitochondria activity due to UCP1 up-regulation.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Novel discovery of Averrhoa bilimbi ethanolic leaf extract in the stimulation of brown fat differentiation program in combating diet-induced obesity
Authors
Wai Kwan Lau
Nur Adelina Ahmad Noruddin
Abdul Hadi Ariffin
Muhd Zulkarnain Mahmud
Mohd Hasnan Mohd Noor
Azimah Amanah
Mohamad Faiz Hamzah
Zainuddin Zafarina
Publication date
01-12-2019
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keywords
Obesity
Obesity
Published in
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies / Issue 1/2019
Electronic ISSN: 2662-7671
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-019-2640-3

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