Anti-obesity activity, acute toxicity, and chemical constituents of aqueous and ethanol Viola mandshurica extracts

BACKGROUND Viola mandshurica has traditionally been used as an expectorant, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory drug. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that low doses of two different V. mandshurica extracts have anti-obesity effects. METHODS We evaluated the effects of ethanol extract (VME) and aqueous extract (VMA) from V. mandshurica on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice as well as the acute oral toxicities and chemical compositions of both extracts. RESULTS Oral administration of VME or VMA (50, 100, or 200 mg/kg) decreased body weight gain, liver and adipose tissue mass, adipocyte size, and serum lipid levels. Both extracts increased adiponectin serum concentrations and mRNA expression in epididymal adipose tissue. VME and VMA also reversed the HFD-induced mRNA expression of lipogenic genes such as CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)α, C/EBPβ, sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c, and leptin in adipose tissue, whereas they increased mRNA expression of uncoupling protein 2 and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). VME and VMA increased the phosphorylation of AMPK and acetyl-coA carboxylase with a concomitant decrease in fat accumulation in the liver. High performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed that both VME and VMA contained esculetin (0.566% for VME, 0.231% for VMA) and schaftoside (0.147% for VME, 0.126% for VMA). In a 2-week acute toxicity study, administration of a single oral dose of VME or VMA (5000 mg/kg) caused no signs of toxicity or mortality. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that both VM extracts exert anti-obesity effects in HFD-induced obese mice by suppressing lipogenesis and activating AMPK in the liver and adipose tissue. Our findings suggest that VM extracts could be a safe and effective treatment for obesity.