The Beneficial Effect of Salicornia Herbacea Extract and Isorhamnetin-3-O-Glucoside on Obesity

Salicornia herbacea is a halophyte indigenous to marine coastal areas and salt fields and has been used as a traditional remedy for diarrhea, abdominal pain, constipation, and indigestion. Its component isorhamnetin-3-O-glucoside (IR3G) may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-adipogenic properties. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the anti-obesity effect of S. herbacea extract and IR3G on mouse 3T3-L1 adipocytes and db/db obesity mice. S. herbacea extract and IR3G inhibited lipase in a concentration-dependent manner. Oil Red O staining disclosed that S. herbacea extract and IR3G significantly suppressed lipid accumulation and adipogenesis and also inhibited the expression of the C/EBPα in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In experiments using db/db mice, administering of S. herbacea extract limited body weight gain and significantly reduced feed efficiency and adipose tissue weight. Moreover, analyzing blood triglycerides, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein, it was confirmed that LDL was significantly decreased and total cholesterol slightly reduced by S. herbacea extract. However, there was no significant change by S. herbacea extract in the changes in blood levels of leptin and adiponectin. Taken together, these results suggest that S. herbacea extract and IR3G inhibit adipogenesis by suppressing the pro-adipogenic transcription factors in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and prevent obesity by regulating the blood lipid profile as well as the weight of adipose tissue.