Weight-reducing effect of Acer truncatum Bunge may be related to the inhibition of fatty acid synthase

Abstract

In order to study the anti-obesity ability and inhibition towards fatty acid synthase (FAS) of the extract, a 70% ethanol extract of Acer truncatum Bunge (AT) leaves was further extracted with ethyl acetate. FAS is a very significant lipogenic enzyme, participating in energy metabolism in vivo; it has also been observed that FAS inhibitors might be potent anti-obesity agents. Experimental results on animals showed that the extract significantly reduced food intake and adipose, and effectively controlled weight evolution. Lipogenesis inhibition might be regarded as one of the reasons for the weight control and adipose reduction by AT. The extract was further isolated using a series of column chromatography that yielded 10 known compounds. 1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose was found to be one of the major active constituents in the extract of AT.

Keywords:

• Acer truncatum Bunge (Aceraceae)
• obesity
• fatty acid synthase
• polyphenols
• flavonoids

Acknowledgements

This investigation was supported by the Scientific Research Foundation of Capital Medical University (no. 2009ZR05) and the Program of Team Construction of Capital Medical University.