Aloe vera phytosterols act as ligands for PPAR and improve the expression levels of PPAR target genes in the livers of mice with diet-induced obesity

• Published in: Obesity research & clinical practice Vol. 5; no. 3; pp. e190 - e201
• Main Authors: Nomaguchi, Kouji, Tanaka, Miyuki, Misawa, Eriko, Yamada, Muneo, Toida, Tomohiro, Iwatsuki, Keiji, Goto, Tsuyoshi, Kawada, Teruo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands 01-07-2011
• Subjects: Endocrinology & Metabolism; Internal Medicine; Aloe vera; DIO; PPAR; Phytosterol; Liver
• ISSN: 1871-403X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.orcp.2011.01.002

Summary Lophenol (Lo) and cycloartanol (Cy), minor phytosterols of Aloe vera gel, were previously identified as anti-diabetic compounds, and these compounds also reduced body fat in a type 2 diabetic model animal. In this study, we investigated the effects of Lo and Cy on peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPAR) using a luciferase reporter assay. DNA microarray and real-time quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR) analyses were also performed in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model. The Aloe phytosterols activated PPAR in a dose-dependent manner. The expression levels of many PPAR target genes were changed in the Aloe phytosterol group compared with those in the control high-fat diet (HFD) group. In particular, the expression levels of Fatp1 , Acox1 , Cpt1 , and Hmgcs2 were significantly increased in the Aloe phytosterol group compared with those in the control HFD group; however, the expression level of ApoCIII was significantly decreased in the Aloe phytosterol group. We confirmed that Aloe phytosterols activate PPAR transcription in vitro . In addition, quantitative gene expression analysis in DIO mice suggested that Aloe phytosterols improve fatty acid metabolism in the liver.