The effect of catharanthus roseus l. plant extracts on some obesity and insulin resistance markers in 3t3-l1 mouse cell lines

Obesity has become an increasingly common public health problem and the number of obese individuals has doubled over the past 20 years. Obesity associated with cardiovascular diseases, cancer, asthma, insulin resistance and the Type II diabetes caused by it have caused major health problems. There are many pharmacological approaches in the treatment of obesity and insulin resistance However, the side effects of pharmacological drugs have led researchers to look for safer and more effective alternative treatments. Catharantus roseus plant extracts are used in Malaysia, India, Nigeria, Mexico and many countries to improve Type II diabetes, which is associated with insulin resistance among the population. In vivo studies in diabetic and high-fructose-diet mice have demonstrated a positive effect of the plant on blood sugar and lipid metabolism. However, studies are needed to determine the effect of molecular mechanisms on the effect of plant on insulin resistance, which is characterized by obesity and increased levels of circulating blood sugar, manifested by excessive fat accumulation. For this purpose, the preadipocyte mouse 3T3-L1 cell line was differentiated into adipocytes. Analysis of adipocyte cells treated with Catharantus roseus plant extract for expression of obesity (LPL, FAS) and obesity-related extracellular matrix component (Collagen-V), insulin resistance (GLUT-4) and inflammation (IL-6) marker genes was made by the use of Real Time-PCR. The analysis was normalized with 18S. As the result of the study, application of 12.5 µg/ml dose extract derived from above-ground part of Catharantus roseus plant to the cells for 24 and 48 hours decreased the expression of inflammation marker IL-6 which occurs due to obesity and insulin resistance compared to control group without extract. Although there was a significant decrease in the expression of LPL and FAS genes whose expression increased due to obesity after 24 hours' extract application, this effect could not be observed after 48 hours extract application. The extracellular matrix component Collagen V, which also has increased expression in obesity, was effective in regulating increased expression levels of the extract both 24 hours and 48 hours. No effect of plant extract was found on GLUT-4 which is insulin resistance marker.