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R. Haselgrübler, P. Lanzerstorfer, C. Röhrl, F. Stübl, J. Schurr, B. Schwarzinger, C. Schwarzinger, M. Brameshuber, S. Wieser, S. Winkler, J. Weghuber:
"Hypolipidemic effects of herbal extracts by reduction of adipocyte differentiation, intracellular neutral lipid content, lipolysis, fatty acid exchange and lipid droplet motility";
Scientific Reports, 9 (2019), 1049201 - 1049218.

An increase in adipose tissue is caused by the increased size and number of adipocytes. Lipids
accumulate in intracellular stores, known as lipid droplets (LDs). Recent studies suggest that
parameters such as LD size, shape and dynamics are closely related to the development of obesity.
Berberine (BBR), a natural plant alkaloid, has been demonstrated to possess anti-obesity effects.
However, it remains unknown which cellular processes are affected by this compound or how effective
herbal extracts containing BBR and other alkaloids actually are. For this study, we used extracts of
Coptis chinensis, Mahonia aquifolium, Berberis vulgaris and Chelidonium majus containing BBR and other
alkaloids and studied various processes related to adipocyte functionality. The presence of extracts
resulted in reduced adipocyte differentiation, as well as neutral lipid content and rate of lipolysis. We
observed that the intracellular fatty acid exchange was reduced in different LD size fractions upon
treatment with BBR and Coptis chinensis. In addition, LD motility was decreased upon incubation with
BBR, Coptis chinensis and Chelidonium majus extracts. Furthermore, Chelidonium majus was identified
as a potent fatty acid uptake inhibitor. This is the first study that demonstrates the selected regulatory
effects of herbal extracts on adipocyte function.