Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2025
Lipid Supplementation for Longevity and Gene Transcriptional Analysis in Caenorhabditis elegans
Published on: December 9, 2022
Antioxidant Baccharis trimera Leaf Extract Suppresses Lipid Accumulation in C. elegans Dependent on Transcription
Flávia Roberta Monteiro Souza1, Giovanna Melo Martins Silva2, Cesar Orlando Muñoz Cadavid2
1Laboratório de Biotecnologia de Polímeros Naturais (BIOPOL), Programa de Pós-graduação em Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Biociências, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte-UFRN, Natal 59078-970, Brazil.
Abstract:
Obesity is a global public health problem that is associated with oxidative stress. One of the strategies for the treatment of obesity is the use of drugs; however, these are expensive and have numerous side effects. Therefore, the search for new alternatives is necessary. Baccharis trimera is used in Brazilian folk medicine for the treatment of obesity. Here, B. trimera leaf extract (BT) showed antioxidant activity in seven in vitro tests, and it was not toxic to 3T3 murine fibroblasts or Caenorhabditis elegans. Furthermore, BT reduces the intracellular amount of reactive oxygen species and increases C. elegans survival. Moreover, these effects were not dependent on transcription factors. The inhibition of fat accumulation by BT in the C. elegans model was also investigated. BT reduced lipid accumulation in animals fed diets without or with high amount of glucose. Furthermore, it was observed using RNA interference (iRNA) that BT depends on the transcription factor NHR-49 to exert its effect. Phytochemical analysis of BT revealed rutin, hyperoside, and 5-caffeoylquinic acid as the main BT components. Thus, these data demonstrate that BT has antioxidant and anti-obesity effects. However, further studies should be conducted to understand the mechanisms involved in its action.
Insights
Baccharis trimera leaf extract (BT) exhibits antioxidant and anti-obesity effects, reducing reactive oxygen species and fat accumulation in model organisms without toxicity. Its anti-obesity action involves the transcription factor NHR-49.
Area of Science:
- Phytochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Obesity is a global health issue linked to oxidative stress, with limited drug options due to cost and side effects.
- Traditional Brazilian medicine utilizes Baccharis trimera (BT) for obesity treatment, necessitating scientific validation.
- Exploring natural alternatives like BT is crucial for developing safer obesity management strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antioxidant and anti-obesity potential of Baccharis trimera leaf extract (BT).
- To assess the safety profile of BT in cellular and organismal models.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying BT's effects on oxidative stress and fat accumulation.
Main Methods:
- In vitro antioxidant assays were performed on BT.
- Cytotoxicity of BT was evaluated in 3T3 murine fibroblasts and Caenorhabditis elegans.
- BT's effects on reactive oxygen species, survival, and fat accumulation were assessed in C. elegans, with RNA interference used to study gene dependence.
Main Results:
- BT demonstrated significant antioxidant activity in vitro and was non-toxic to tested cells and organisms.
- BT reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species and enhanced C. elegans survival, independent of certain transcription factors.
- BT inhibited lipid accumulation in C. elegans, a process dependent on the transcription factor NHR-49. Key compounds identified include rutin, hyperoside, and 5-caffeoylquinic acid.
Conclusions:
- Baccharis trimera leaf extract possesses notable antioxidant and anti-obesity properties.
- BT's anti-obesity effects are mediated, in part, through the NHR-49 pathway.
- Further research is warranted to fully understand the mechanisms of action for potential therapeutic applications.
