Ergosterol Peroxide from the Medicinal Mushroom Ganoderma lucidum Inhibits Differentiation and Lipid Accumulation of 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Author: mycolabadmin
2020-01-10
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Summary

This research investigated how a compound called ergosterol peroxide, found in the medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum, could help fight obesity. The study found that this compound can prevent fat cells from developing and storing excess fat. This discovery has important implications for developing new treatments for obesity and related health conditions. Impacts on everyday life: • Could lead to new natural supplements for weight management • Provides scientific support for traditional use of medicinal mushrooms • Offers potential new approach for preventing obesity • May help reduce risk of obesity-related diseases like diabetes • Suggests new dietary strategies for maintaining healthy body weight

Background

Obesity is a major global health concern, with WHO reporting that obesity rates have tripled since 1975. As of recent data, 39% of adults worldwide are overweight and 13% are obese. Obesity is linked to various diseases including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cancer and stroke. It results from excessive accumulation of fatty tissue due to an imbalance between energy intake and consumption. The increase in adipose tissue occurs through both increased numbers of differentiated adipocytes and increased size of existing adipocytes due to lipid accumulation.

Objective

To investigate the anti-obesity potential of ergosterol peroxide isolated from Ganoderma lucidum by examining its effects on adipocyte differentiation and triglyceride synthesis in 3T3-L1 cells. The study aimed to evaluate whether ergosterol peroxide could inhibit lipid accumulation and adipocyte differentiation through regulation of key transcription factors and signaling pathways.

Results

Ergosterol peroxide showed no cytotoxicity up to 100 μM concentration. At 20 μM, it significantly inhibited lipid droplet accumulation in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. It suppressed the expression of key adipogenic transcription factors PPARγ and C/EBPα at both protein and mRNA levels. The compound also inhibited expression of lipogenic factors including FAS, FAT, ACC, and SREBP-1c. Additionally, it reduced the phosphorylation of MAPK pathway proteins (ERK, JNK, and p38) involved in early differentiation stages.

Conclusion

Ergosterol peroxide from G. lucidum effectively inhibits adipocyte differentiation and triglyceride synthesis by suppressing key transcription factors and signaling pathways involved in adipogenesis. The compound shows potential as an anti-obesity agent through its ability to inhibit both differentiation and lipid accumulation in adipocytes.

Published in:International Journal of Molecular Sciences,
Study Type:In Vitro Study,
Source: 10.3390/ijms21020460