Attenuation of lipid accumulation in Bel-7402 cells through ADPN/AMPKα signaling stimulated by Fructus rosae laxae extract

In this work, a comparison study was conducted on the contents of total flavonoids and hyperoside in different polarity extracts of Fructus rosae laxae (FRL). The lipid-lowering effect and mechanism of FRL ethyl acetate extract (FRLE) on the lipid accumulation model of Bel-7402 cells in vitro were studied. The results showed that the contents of total flavonoids and hyperoside in FRLE were significantly higher than those in the other polarity extracts. Compared with those in the model group, the levels of triglyceride and total cholesterol decreased, the activities of superoxide dismutase and lactate dehydrogenase increased, and the levels of inflammatory factors interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α decreased significantly in the cells intervened with FRLE. Moreover, FRLE can regulate lipid metabolism by activating the AMP-activated protein kinase α phosphorylation pathway and increasing the expression of adiponectin. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Fructus rosae laxae (FRL) is an edible medicinal fruit with multiple biological activities, such as antioxidation, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective properties. However, the lipid-lowering activity of FRL and its mechanism of action have not yet been investigated. Our data indicate that the FRL extract, which contains high levels of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory components, plays a beneficial role in regulating lipid metabolism disorders, mainly by regulating the expression of proteins involved in the ADPN/AMPK signaling pathway, and reduces the release of inflammatory factors. Thus, the FRL extract effectively reduces the accumulation of free fatty acids (FFA) in vitro and exhibits considerable potential for the prevention and treatment lipid metabolism disorders.

Keywords: ADPN/AMPKα signaling; Fructus rosae laxae; flavonoids; hyperoside; lipid metabolism disorders.