Porelis^TM, a standardized purple tea extract, improves adipocyte functionality by regulating the leptin and...

Purple tea variety of Camelia sinensis (L.) Kuntze (Theaceae), with its unique presence of anthocyanins and 1,2-di-O-galloyl-4,6-O-(S)-hexahydroxydiphenoyl-β-D-glucose (GHG), has enormous potential in the weight management. Here, the weight loss mechanism of a standardized purple tea hydroalcoholic extract (Porelis^TM, 3-5% GHG) is demonstrated in high-fat-diet-induced mice.

Male C57BL/6 mice (20±2 g) were divided into five groups (n=8). In a 12-week study, the control group was given a normal diet, and the other groups were given HFD (60 % kcal from fat) for 12 weeks. The treatment groups received Porelis at 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg body weight, PO.

Porelis treatment markedly reduced the body weight, fat pad weights, hepatic lipid accumulation, and oxidative stress in the HFD mice. The adipogenic markers, CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), and Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 (SREBP1) were down-regulated in Porelis-treated mice compared to HFD model group (P<0.0001). Porelis treatment reduced the serum leptin level (P<0.0001) while increasing the adiponectin (P<0.01) in HFD mice. The circulating trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) (P<0.0001) and insulin (P<0.001) levels were significantly reduced in the Porelis groups compared to the HFD-alone group. In addition, Porelis markedly inhibited the in vitro pancreatic lipase activity (IC₅₀ = 223.3 µg/ml).

Porelis exerts antiobesity activity in mice by regulating adipogenesis and energy homeostasis. Our data encourages further validation of Porelis-mediated weight loss effects in human subjects.