Ginsenoside Rg5: Rk1 Exerts an Anti-obesity Effect on 3T3-L1 Cell Line by the Downregulation of PPARγ and CEBPα

Background: Obesity, a global health problem and a chronic disease, is associated with increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes and coronary heart diseases. A wide variety of natural remedies have been explored for their obesity treatment potential. Objective: The anti-adipogenic effect of ginsenoside Rg5: Rk1 (Rg5: Rk1) on 3T3-L1 mature adipocytes was investigated. Materials and Methods: To elucidate the anti-obesity effect of Rg5: Rk1, a mixture of protopanaxadiol type ginsenosides isolated from Panax ginseng Meyer in a 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In order to determine the anti-obesity effect of Rg5: Rk1, based on oil Red O Staining, triglyceride (TG) content in adipose cells was assessed. Furthermore, to elucidate the possible mechanism of Rg5: RK1 effect on lipid accumulation, mRNA and protein expression analyses of adipocyte markers such as STAT3, PPAR gamma, CBEP alpha and ap2 were carried out. Results: Rg5: Rk1 treatment showed an inhibition of lipid droplet accumulation and decrease of TG content. In addition, expression of STAT3, PPAR gamma, CEBP alpha and ap2 were decreased in a dose dependent manner. Similarly, the Rg5: Rk1 treatment reduced PPAR gamma and CEBP alpha protein expression. Conclusion: Rg5: Rk1 treatment exhibits anti-adipogenic activity by down-regulation of the STAT3/PPARg/CEBPa signaling pathway in 3T3-L1 adipocyte cell line.