In this study, we investigated the lipolytic effects of an Emblica officinalis (Indian gooseberry [IG]) and Hordeum vulgare L. (barley sprout [BP]) mixture on differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. On the ninth day of differentiation, Oil red O staining and Western blotting were performed; additionally, glycerol release and triglyceride (TG), fatty acid (FA), and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels were measured. Compared to the differentiation-induced control (C) group, the IG and BP mixture inhibited intracellular TG and FA levels by 61.7% and 48.9%, respectively, at a concentration of 200 μg/mL. Moreover, the mixture increased glycerol release and cAMP levels by more than twofold more than those in the C group. Western blotting was performed to confirm the protein expression involved in lipolysis, and the IG and BP mixture was found to significantly increase the protein activities of AMP-activated protein kinase, protein kinase A, and hormone-sensitive lipase compared to those of the C group. Furthermore, the mixture significantly inhibited the protein activities of phosphodiesterase 3B, adipose TG lipase, and perilipin compared to those of the C group at a concentration of 200 μg/mL. We found that the IG and BP mixture activates the cAMP pathway and regulates lipolytic enzymes, which are necessary for lipolysis. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the IG and BP mixture can be potentially developed as a new material for targeting mechanisms underlying lipolysis.
Keywords: 3T3-L1; Emblica officinalis; Hordeum vulgare L. barley sprout; Indian gooseberry; lipolysis.