Title:Cannabidiol and Indole-3-carbinol Reduce Intracellular Lipid Droplet
Accumulation in HepaRG, A Human Liver Cell Line, as well as in Human
Adipocytes
Volume: 14
Issue: 2
Author(s): Sanjanaa Senthilkumar, Megan E. Solan, Maria T. Fernandez-Luna and Ramon Lavado*
Affiliation:
- Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA
Keywords:
Lipogenesis, indole-3carbinol, cannabidiol, HepaRG, adipocytes, natural products.
Abstract:
Introduction: An increase in obesity-related diseases is becoming an alarming worldwide
problem. Therefore, new therapeutic methods are constantly sought to prevent, treat, and alleviate symptoms
of the diseases associated with obesity.
Method: This study investigates the effects of two natural compounds (indole-3-carbinol, I3C, a bioactive
indolic compound found in cruciferous vegetables; cannabidiol, CBD, the active ingredient derived from
the hemp plant) on the fatty acid accumulation in the human liver cell line HepaRG, a well-established
model for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and in human pre-adipocytes (adipose-derived mesenchymal
stem cells, MSC).
Results: EC50s of each compound were in the high μM range (approximately 30 mg/L), showing the low
toxicity of these compounds. Determination of the selected compounds in cell media showed no significant
differences during the exposure, suggesting that no significant metabolism or degradation happened
during the exposure time. Quantification of the bioaccumulation of lipid droplets on exposed HepaRG
revealed a significant reduction and mitigation of fatty acid accumulation when exposed to 1 nM of I3C
and 100 nM of CBD.). On MSC cells a significant inhibition of lipogenesis and adipocyte differentiation
was observed in cells exposed to 0.1 nM of I3C and 1 nM of CBD.
Conclusion: This study provides a significant contribution to advancing the understanding of preventative
dietary strategies that target adipocyte differentiation and NAFLD.