Effects of capsicoside G isolated from pepper seeds on lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation‐related gene expression in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes

We previously demonstrated that capsicoside G, a furostanol saponin isolated from pepper seeds, inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. However, the effects of capsicoside G on lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to extend the anti-obesity investigation of capsicoside G by examining its effect on lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation-related gene expression in mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Capsicoside G promoted lipolysis of adipocytes, which effectively decreased the intracellular triglyceride concentration of adipocytes and increased the amount of glycerol released into the medium. Increased lipolysis was accompanied by augmented expression of adipose triglyceride lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase. Furthermore, capsicoside G induced the expression of fatty acid oxidative genes such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 in mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These results suggest that capsicoside G exerts anti-obesity effects by stimulating lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation-related gene expression in mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Practical application Capsicoside G, a furostanol saponin isolated from pepper seeds, has been reported to have inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation and adipogenesis by activating AMP-activated protein kinase in 3T3-L1 cells, thus suggesting their anti-obesity potential. In this study, capsicoside G stimulated lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation-related gene expression in mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Therefore, our findings suggest that capsicoside G is a promising therapeutic tool for obesity and obesity-related metabolic syndromes.