# Antioxidant and lipid-lowering effects of freeze-dried kimchi cabbage and onion mediated via inhibition of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

## TL;DR

Freeze-dried kimchi cabbage and onion show strong antioxidant and lipid-lowering effects, potentially aiding in obesity-related health issues.

## Contribution

The study identifies freeze-dried kimchi cabbage as having the most significant lipid-lowering and antioxidant effects among six kimchi ingredients.

## Key findings

- Freeze-dried kimchi cabbage and onion significantly inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.
- Freeze-dried kimchi cabbage showed higher efficiency in reducing triglyceride content and obesity-related biomarkers.
- Antioxidant activity was highest in freeze-dried ginger, but cabbage and onion had notable lipid-lowering effects.

## Abstract

Kimchi exhibits various beneficial effects on human health, which are ascribed to its ingredients, bioactive compounds, lactic acid bacteria, and metabolites.

To explore the antioxidant and lipid-lowering effects of individual ingredients of freeze-dried kimchi in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

The lipid-lowering effects of six kimchi ingredients were investigated using 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Their antioxidant activities, cytotoxicity, and the effect on triglyceride (TG) content, lipid accumulation, and obesity-associated biomarker expressions were examined.

Freeze-dried ginger exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, followed by kimchi cabbage and onion. Freeze-dried garlic and green onion showed cytotoxicity, and the TG content in freeze-dried ginger-treated cells was similar to that of the control. Freeze-dried kimchi cabbage- and onion-treated cells exhibited increased antioxidant activities, low cell toxicity, and remarkable effects on the TG content. Selected freeze-dried kimchi cabbage and onion significantly inhibited lipid accumulation and decreased the expression of obesity-associated messenger RNA (mRNA) and proteins, with freeze-dried kimchi cabbage being more efficient (P < 0.05).

The six kimchi ingredients showed differences in anti-obesity effects, and these effects may be related to antioxidant properties.

Freeze-dried kimchi cabbage exhibited the most pronounced antioxidant and lipid-lowering effects among the six kimchi ingredients tested, highlighting the potential applications of kimchi in obesity-associated metabolic pathway research.