Planta Med 2002; 68(1): 76-79
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-19876
Letter

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Biflavones of Ginkgo biloba Stimulate Lipolysis in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Mario Dell’Agli1 , Enrica Bosisio1
  • 1Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

January 15, 2001

July 7, 2001

Publication Date:
31 January 2002 (online)

Abstract

Ginkgo biloba L. biflavones were shown to increase cAMP phosphodiesterase activity and to stimulate skin microcirculation. The aim of this study was to investigate whether biflavones were able to stimulate lipolysis in adipocytes. Lipolysis was assayed in fully differentiated 3T3-L1 fat cells in the presence of biflavones at 0.005 - 100 μM. Cell viability was evaluated at 0.5 - 100 μM. Theophylline and caffeine were used as reference compounds. Lipolytic activity in untreated cells was 0.62 ± 0.15 μmoles glycerol/mg DNA/h. All biflavones except sciadopitysin stimulated lipolysis in a concentration-dependent fashion. Maximal stimulation was observed at 0.1 - 0.5 μM. At higher concentrations the effect diminished progressively and was lost at 100 μM. Only a partial loss of cell viability was observed with biflavones at 10 - 100 μM.

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Prof. Enrica Bosisio

Department of Pharmacological Sciences

Via Balzaretti 9

20133 Milano

Italy

Phone: +39-02-20488372

Fax: +39-02-29404961

Email: enrica.bosisio@unimi.it