The herbal composition GGEx18 from Laminaria japonica, Rheum palmatum, and Ephedra sinica inhibits high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis via hepatic PPARα activation.

BACKGROUND

The activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) target genes promotes hepatic oxidation of fatty acids. We hypothesized that Gyeongshingangjeehwan 18 (GGEx18), a mixture of three herbs, Laminaria japonica Aresch (Laminariaceae), Rheum palmatum L. (Polygonaceae), and Ephedra sinica Stapf (Ephedraceae), can regulate high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis through PPARα activation in the liver.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of GGEx18 on obesity-related hepatic steatosis and the responsible mechanism.

METHODS

The effects of GGEx18 on hepatic lipid accumulation, serum lipid profiles, and the expression of PPARα target genes were studied in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. The effects of GGEx18 on the expression of the PPARα targets and PPARα reporter gene activation were measured in NMu2Li liver cells.

RESULTS

GGEx18 administration to obese mice for 9 weeks markedly (p<0.05) decreased hepatic lipid accumulation compared with that in obese control mice. Serum triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were significantly (p <0.05) decreased by GGEx18. GGEx18 treatment increased the messenger RNA levels of PPARα target genes, which are responsible for fatty acid oxidation, in liver tissues. Consistent with the in vivo data, similar activation of genes was observed in GGEx18-treated NMu2Li liver cells. GGEx18 also elevated PPARα reporter gene expression in NMu2Li cells.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that GGEx18 prevents hepatic steatosis and hyperlipidemia in high-fat diet-induced obese mice, and this process may be mediated through PPARα activation in the liver.