Apigenin Isolated from the Seeds of Perilla frutescens Britton var crispa (Benth.) Inhibits Food Intake in C57BL/6J Mice

Abstract

Energy balance is monitored by the hypothalamus, which responds to peripheral signals by releasing neuropeptides that regulate energy intake and expenditure In this study, we constructed pro opiomelanocortin (POMC) and "cocaine and amphetamine related transcript" (CART) promoter driven luciferase plasmids and transformed them permanently into both N29 2 neuronal cells and human SHSY5Y cells Using reporter gene assays, we identified apigenin from the seeds of Perilla frutescens Britton var crispa (Benth) using activity guided fractionation The 50% promoting concentrations (EC50) of apigenin on POMC and CART were 0 93 mu M and 0 67 mu M, respectively, in N29 2 cells, without significant cytotoxic effects Short term food intake was decreased in C57BL/6J mice after an intraperitoneal injection of apigenin (10 mg/kg, p < 0 05) Food intake and body weight gain for 30 days were also reduced slightly in mice fed a high fat diet containing apigenin (0 05%, w/w, p < 0 05) These results indicate that apigenin increased POMC and CART gene expression in neuronal cells and significantly reduced food intake in C57BL/6 mice, which may be related to the anorexigenic neuropeptides POMC and CART