Efeito antiadipogênico das folhas de Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi

Abstract

Obesity is a multifactorial chronic inflammatory disease, characterized by the excessive accumulation of triglycerides in adipocytes, a process called adipogenesis. It is considered one of the risk factors for the development of comorbidities with high rates of morbidity and mortality, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. In this sense, substances that reduce the process of adipogenesis are sought, aiming at treatments that improve the quality of life of obese individuals, and prevent the development of associated diseases. Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae), popularly known as red-mastic or pink-pepper is a plant species that has among its constituents, phenolic compounds, which are attributed different biological activities, such as antioxidant, antidiabetic and cardioprotective activities. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of methanolic extract of S. terebinthifolius Raddi leaves (MESL) on viability and adipogenesis in 3T3-F442A cells. For this, 3T3-F442A cells were submitted to cell viability test in MTT and differentiation assay (adipogenesis) with Oil red staining. MESL did not change cell viability at concentrations of 50 and 100 µg/ml within 24h, within 48h the concentration of 50 µg/ml was shown to be safe and at 100 µg/ml EMFS reduced cell viability by 19,24 ± 3,21%. MESL inhibited the accumulation of triglycerides at 25, 50 and 100 µg/ml, acting independently of the concentration, with an average inhibition of 40 ± 2%, similarly to quercetin (42 ± 6%), showing the modulation of the process of adipogenesis. In conclusion, the data suggest that MESL has anti-adipogenic properties, being a potential source for the development of phytopharmaceuticals for the prevention and treatment of obesity and obesity-related morbidities.