Abstract
Rosa rugosa root is traditionally known to be effective in the treatment of diabetes in Korea. R. rugosa root-specific compounds also show antioxidant effects, and could reduce lipid and fat accumulation, however, the underlying mechanism has not been clarified. In present study, the antioxidant and lipid-reducing effects of a 50% ethanol extract of R. rugosa (REE) were investigated differentiated mouse preadipocytes (3T3-L1 cells). REE showed strong radical scavenging activities and inhibitory effect of total lipid accumulation and triglyceride levels in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. In addition, REE treatment reduced the mRNA and protein levels of adipogenesis and lipogenesis markers. This REE-promoted lipid reduction was caused by downregulation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), and sterol regulatory element binding protein1 (SREBP1c) and down regulation of ERK expression. Overall, these results demonstrate the potential of REE for development of a drug in the medical treatment of lipid-associated disorders.