Anti-Lipid Accumulation and Antioxidant Effects of the Root Extract From Rubus Discolor and Its Phytochemical Analysis

Abstract

Rubus species exhibit potent antioxidant properties due to their high phenolic compound content. In our study, phytochemical composition of the extract obtained from roots of Rubus discolor (RDE) was determined using LC-MS/MS. Subsequently, effect of this extract on lipid accumulation was investigated in HepG2 liver cells. For this purpose, HepG2 cells were treated with oleic acid to induce lipid accumulation. The effect of RDE on lipid accumulation was assessed using Oil-Red staining and measuring intracellular triglyceride, cholesterol levels. Melatonin was used as a positive control. Enzymes involved in lipid synthesis, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC1), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and transcription factor sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1c), as well as the antioxidant status, were evaluated by RT-PCR. As dose-dependent, RDE significantly reduced lipid accumulation and each concentrations (25, 50, 100 µg/mL) of RDE showed 78%, 48%, 38% ratio, respectively for Oil Red O staining. TG was found 1.92 ± 0.03, 1.76 ± 0.40, 1.22 ± 0.13, 1.41 ± 0.08 mg/mg protein for oleic acid and each concentrations (25, 50, 100 µg/mL) of RDE, respectively It significantly suppressed ACC1, FAS, and SREBP-1c (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.01, respectively) at a dose of 50 µg/mL. The extract also exhibited in vitro strong antioxidant and good anti-inflammatory properties. Pedunculagin isomer, ellagic acid and ellagic acid pentoside compounds were found to be the main compounds of RDE with high total phenolic content. The results indicate that RDE has the potential to prevent lipid accumulation. These findings could provide a basis for further studies on the potential therapeutic effect of Rubus discolor in the treatment of NAFLD. © The Author(s) 2025.