Panax ginseng Leaf Extracts Exert Anti-Obesity Effects in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats

Figures

• 

  Figure 1. Effects of GL and DL on body weight, adipose tissue mass, and food intake in high-fat diet (HFD)—induced obese rats. The rats (n = 7 per group) were fed an ND or HFD. Additionally, HFD-fed rats were also treated with GL or DL at a dose of 3.3 mg/kg/day. (A) Body weight was measured every three days; (B) total epididymal WAT and abdominal WAT weight; and (C) food intake and food efficiency ratio. Significantly different from the HFD group, ** p < 0.01 and * p < 0.05. Bar graphs show the mean ± SD from seven individual rats per group.

• 

  Figure 2. Plasma biochemical values in male rats. Blood plasma were collected and analyzed for TG (triglycerides), HDL (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol), and LDL (low-density lipoprotein cholesterol). Significant differences from the positive control group (HFD), ** p < 0.01 or * p < 0.05, are indicated. Bar graphs show the mean ± SD from seven individual rats per group.

• 

  Figure 3. Effects of GL and DL on the mRNA and protein expression of adipogenic genes in adipose tissues. Rats were fed an ND or HFD. Additionally, HFD-fed rats were treated with GL or DL at a dose of 3.3 mg/kg/day. Epididymal WAT was acquired on the final day of the experiments. (A) mRNA expression of PPARγ, C/EBPα, and GAPDH in epididymal WAT; (B) Protein expression of the indicated adipogenic genes in epididymal WAT. Photographs are representative pictures from three independent experiments.

• 

  Figure 4. Effects of GL and DL on cell viability of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and mature adipocytes. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were treated with GL or DL for 48 h, or left untreated. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated into adipocytes and treated with GL or DL for the entire differentiation period or after induction of differentiation. Cell viability was evaluated by using the MTT assay and the absorbance was measured at 495 nm. * p < 0.05. Bars represent means ± SD from three independent experiments.

• 

  Figure 5. Effects of GL and DL on the differentiation and lipid accumulation of 3T3-L1. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were treated with GL and DL for eight days, or left untreated (NC). (A) The absorbance of cells stained by Oil Red O was measured at 495 nm; and (B) intracellular triglyceride concentrations were calculated from measurement of the absorbance at 570 nm. Significant differences from the positive control group (PC), ** p < 0.01 or * p < 0.05, are indicated. Bars represent means ± SD from three independent experiments.

• 

  Figure 6. Effects of GL and DL on mRNA and protein expression of adipogenic genes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Cells were treated with GL and DL for eight days during differentiation and total RNA and protein content was isolated: (A) mRNA expression of the adipogenic genes in 3T3-L1 cells; and (B) protein expression of PPARγ, C/EBPα, and adiponectin in 3T3-L1 cells. ** p < 0.01. Bars represent means ± SD from three independent experiments.