Pharmacopuncture of Taraxacum platycarpum extract reduces localized fat by regulating the lipolytic pathway

Localized fat deposits are associated with health and aesthetic problems that mainly affect a large proportion of individuals. Recently, bioactive constituents of TP have been reported to affect lipid metabolism. In this study, we performed a network pharmacological analysis to assume potential lipolytic effects of TP and investigated the actual lipolytic effects of TP extract injection on local body fat and its underlying mechanism. Using the genes related to active compounds of TP, the network was constructed. Through the Functional Enrichment Analysis, Lipid Metabolism and Fatty Acid Metabolism were expected to be affiliated with the network, which implied possible lipolytic effects of TP. On the comparison between TP network and Obesity-related Gene Sets, about three-fourths of elements were in common with the gene sets, which indicated a high relevance between TP and obesity. Based on the genes in lipolysis-related pathways, Perilipin, CGI-58, ATGL, HSL and MGL were selected to identify the actual lipolytic effects of TP. TP injection reduced the inguinal fat weight. Also, the diameter of the adipocytes was decreased by the TP treatment in HFD-induced obese mice. In addition, TP suppressed lipid accumulation in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Moreover, because the expression of Perilipin was increased, CGI-58, ATGL, HSL and MGL were markedly decreased. Furthermore, glycerol release was down-regulated by the TP treatment. TP exerted its lipolytic effects by regulating the lipolysis machinery through stimulation of lipases. Based on the present findings, TP is expected to be a potent component of injection lipolysis for removing localized body fat.