Effect of capsicum oleoresin on lipolytic activity in differentiated adipocytes - An in vitro study

Introduction and Aim: Capsicum Oleoresin is known for its anti-obesity effects. Capsicum annum L. water extract also helps to alleviate stomach issues, back pain, muscle spasms, headaches, cancer, skin aging, peptic ulcer, menopausal problems, lower risk of cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. It has anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, and may also provide relief from pain related to arthritis. Capsicum also aids in fibromyalgia and psoriasis. This study is done to find the lipolytic activity of aqueous extract of Capsicum oleoresin. Materials and Methods: 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes were obtained from NCCS, Pune and maintained in DMEM high glucose media. After three days of introduction to differentiation media was replaced with maintenance medium containing 1mg/mL insulin alone which was replaced with fresh culture medium (DMEM with 10% FCS) after 2 days.3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes were cultured in 48 well plates. Two days post-confluence switched to differentiation medium containing 0.25µM DEX, 0.5 mM IBMX and 1 mg/L of insulin in DMEM medium with 10% FBS to induce differentiation (day 0).Lipolytic activity was measured by assaying glycerol released from cells into the incubation buffer. The incubation mixture was aspirated and used to assay glycerol. Glycerol was assayed enzymatically. Results:The effect of Capsicum extract on lipolytic activity in differentiated adipocytes was analyzed. Ten days after differentiation was induced, 3T3-L1 adipocytes were cultured in the presence of Capsicum extract (5–160µg/mL). After incubation with Capsicum extract for 24h, the amount of glycerol released into the culture medium was measured. The addition of extract increased the glycerol content significantly (p<0.001) at concentrations of 20 - 160µg/ml, while 10µg/ml exhibited moderate (p<0.05) lipolytic activity. Thus, Capsicum extract promotes lipolysis in differentiated adipocytes. Conclusion: The lipolytic efficacy of capsicum oleoresin was analyzed and was found that capsicum oleoresin promotes lipolysis and hence it may be used to control obesity.