Fruit of Hovenia dulcis Thunb. Induces Nonshivering Thermogenesis through Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Activation by SIRT1 in High-Fat Diet-Fed Obese Mice and Primary Cultured Brown Adipocytes

Abstract

Brown adipocytes, which contain abundant mitochondria, use stored energy as fuel during a process called non-shivering thermogenesis. Thus, the pharmacological activation of non-shivering thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue (BAT) has become a promising target for treating obesity. We investigated the effect of fruit of Hovenial dulcis Thunb. (FHD), a frequently used herbal treatment for liver diseases, on thermogenesis and its mechanism using primary cultured brown adipocytes and BAT of HFD-induced obese mice. Thermogenesis-related factors including UCP1 and PGC1α increased with FHD treatment. FHD also increased mitochondrial biogenesis and activation factors such as NRF1 and OXPHOS complex. Furthermore, FHD increased intercellular NAD+ level and SIRT1 activity that may be responsible for the activation of the thermogenic reaction. These results indicate that FHD can be a potential substance for improving obesity due to its thermogenic action through mitochondrial biogenesis and activation.