# Peumus boldus Extract Inhibits Lipid Accumulation in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

## TL;DR

This study shows that an extract from Peumus boldus (Boldo) reduces lipid accumulation in fat cells and has antioxidant effects.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the anti-adipogenic and antioxidant effects of Peumus boldus extract in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

## Key findings

- Boldo extract reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species and catalase activity in adipocytes.
- The extract decreased triglyceride and cholesterol levels in fat cells.
- Boldo did not affect glycerol release or TNF-α secretion, suggesting no lipolytic or anti-inflammatory effects.

## Abstract

Obesity is a metabolic condition of epidemic scale. Previously, we showed that antioxidant extracts from Ribes nigrum had antioxidant and anti-adipogenic effects in mature adipocytes (AD). Here, we evaluated an aqueous extract from Peumus boldus (Boldo) in AD and studied its effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid production. We analyzed the antioxidant activity (AA) of the Boldo extract using the DPPH technique and polyphenol (Pph) content via Folin’s reagent. In AD, we evaluated ROS production, catalase (CAT) activity, intracellular triglyceride (Tg) and cholesterol (Chol) contents, nitric oxide (NO) production via Griess reagent, and the levels of glycerol (Gly) and TNF-α released in the culture medium. We showed that the Boldo extract has high AA. In vitro, Boldo treatment decreased ROS intracellular production and CAT activity. In addition, the Boldo extract was effective in reducing Tg and Chol levels and NO production. We did not identify significant differences in Gly released or TNF-α secreted. We suggest that the Boldo extract has antioxidant and anti-adipogenic effects, but we did not observe lipolytic effects. Boldo did not modify inflammatory markers.