Effects of Citrus aurantifolia Root Ethanolic Extract on Lipogenesis in Palmitate-Induced Lipid Accumulation in HepG2 Cells

Introduction: Citrus aurantifolia (lime) is mostly found in tropical and subtropical region. The lime peel and lime juice extracts have antioxidant, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the pharmacological effects of the lime root remain widely unknown. Thus, the current study investigated the effects of Citrus aurantifolia root ethanolic extract (CA) on lipogenesis induced by palmitic acid (PA) in HepG2 cells. Methods: The PA-induced lipogenesis in HepG2 cells was used for measuring lipogenic gene expression and lipid accumulation of CA. Phytochemical content was also determined in CA. Results: In PA-treated group showed the state of hepatic lipid accumulation with increased lipogenic gene, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and sterol regulatory element binding protein1c (SREBP1c) as compared to the control group. Interestingly, administration of CA (5-10 μg/mL) effectively reduced lipid storage and significantly decreased the expression of these lipogenic gene in PA-treated cells. Notably, CA treatment increased the gene expression of fatty acid oxidation, carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1A (CPT1A) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα). Furthermore, this study found that the major bioactive component from CA was nordentatin (coumarin group). Conclusions: The results indicated that the CA treatment might be a useful agent for improving abnormal lipid metabolism in obesity-related nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.