Decrement of body fat and hypolipidemic effect of 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzaldehyde isolated from Geum japonicum in high fat diet-induced obese rats

3,4,5-trihydroxybenzaldehyde(THBA) is isolated from the aerial part of G. japonicum Thunb., a Korean herb belonging to the family of Rosaceae [1]. In a recent study we have shown that the ethyl acetate fraction of G. japonicum inhibited NO production by LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells and the natural THBA showed a remarkable scavenging activity on the DPPH radical[2]. Being on these findings, we determined the preventive effect of 3,4,5-trihydoxybenzaldehyde(THBA) for adiposity and dyslipidemia using high fat diet-induced obese rats. As a result of the investigation for lipid and leptin metabolism in obese rats, body weight, adipocyte cell size and visceral fat mass was significantly reduced by feeding with THBA. The concentration of triglyceride and leptin in serum was also significantly reduced whereas HDL-cholesterol level in serum was significantly increased. These results suggest that THBA isolated from G. japonicum is beneficial for the suppression of diet-induced obesity and hyperlipidemia.

Keywords: Geum japonicum, 3, 4, 5-trihydroxybenzaldehyde, hyperlipidemia, antioxidant

References: 1. Kim J et al. (2006)J Food Drug Analy14(2): 190–193.

2. Kang S et al. (2006) Nutritional Science 9(2): 117–123.