BACKGROUND

Carnosic acid (CA), a major bioactive component of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) leaves, is known to possess antioxidant and anti-adipogenic activities. In this study it was hypothesized that CA would ameliorate obesity-induced glucose intolerence and hepatic fat accumulation, and possible mechanisms are suggested.

RESULTS

It was observed that a 0.02% (w/w) CA diet effectively decreased body weight, liver weight and blood triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol levels (P < 0.05) compared with the control diet. CA at 0.02% significantly improved glucose tolerance, and hepatic TG accumulation was reduced in a dose-dependent manner. Hepatic lipogenic-related gene (L-FABP, SCD1 and FAS) expression decreased whereas lipolysis-related gene (CPT1) expression increased in animals fed the 0.02% CA diet (P < 0.05). Long-chain fatty acid content and the ratio of C18:1/C18:0 fatty acids were decreased in adipose tissue of animals fed the 0.02% CA diet (P < 0.05). Serum inflammatory mediators were also decreased significantly in animals fed the 0.02% CA diet compared with those of the obese control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that CA is an effective anti-obesity agent that regulates fatty acid metabolism in C57BL/6J-ob/ob mice.