INHIBITORY EFFECT OF NON-POLAR AND SEMI-POLAR FRACTIONS OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF Guazuma ulmifolia Lamk. LEAVES ON RAT PREADIPOCYTES PROLIFERATION AND DIFFERENTIATION

Abstract

Jati Belanda Leaves (G. ulmifolia Lamk.) has been used traditionally to reduce obesity 1) . G. ulmifolia Lamk. leaves extract contained alkaloids, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, and steroids 2) . Phytochemical screening results conducted by Iswantini et al. showed that the flavonoids and tannins were detected high levels in this extract 3) . Flavonoids contained in the leaves of G. ulmifolia Lamk. were catechin, kaempferol glycosides, procyanidin B-2, procyanidin B-5, procyanidin C-1 4) . Obesity can occur when the body of excess adipose tissue (fat), particularly white adipose. Excess white adipose tissue (WAT) is considered as the main cause of obesity 5) . The growth of adipose tissue occurs due to the formation of new adipocytes and increase in size of adipocytes, called adipogenesis. Adipogenesis involves the multiplication of cells (proliferation) and cell maturation (differentiation). The treatment which can affect the size and number of adipocytes and signals expression are involved in the inhibition or stimulation of specific adipokines have been used to prove the bioactivity associated with antiobesity 6) . Natural products that have a specific target in this pathway have the potential to prevent and treat obesity. Some polyphenols, including flavonoids have anti-obesity effects and also specific effects on adipocytes 7) . The presence of the flavonoids i.e. catechin, kaempferol, tilirosida, and prosianidin in G. ulmifolia Lamk leaves. may affect adipogenesis.