2. Academic Validation
  3. Antioxidant Effect of Wheat Germ Extracts and Their Antilipidemic Effect in Palmitic Acid-Induced Steatosis in HepG2 and 3T3-L1 Cells

Antioxidant Effect of Wheat Germ Extracts and Their Antilipidemic Effect in Palmitic Acid-Induced Steatosis in HepG2 and 3T3-L1 Cells

  • Foods. 2021 May 12;10(5):1061. doi: 10.3390/foods10051061.
Humna Liaqat 1,  Kyeong Jin Kim 2,  Soo-Yeon Park 3,  Sung Keun Jung 4,  Sung Hee Park 1,  Seokwon Lim 5,  Ji Yeon Kim 1 2
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Food Science and Technology, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, 232, Gongneung-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01811, Korea.
  • 2 Department of Nano Bio Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, 232, Gongneung-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01811, Korea.
  • 3 Lab of Nanobio, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, 232, Gongneung-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul 01811, Korea.
  • 4 School of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea.
  • 5 Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, College of Bionano Technology, Gachon University, 1342, Seongnam-daero, Sujung-gu, Seongnam-si 13120, Korea.
PMID: 34065831 DOI: 10.3390/foods10051061
Abstract

Wheat germ (WG) is a by-product of wheat milling and comprises many bioactive compounds. This study aimed to compare the antioxidant and antilipidemic effects of different WG extracts (WGEs) by analyzing candidate bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, tocopherols, γ-oryzanol, and biogenic amines by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Antioxidant activity was determined using the ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays. The antilipidemic effect was evaluated in palmitic acid-induced steatosis in HepG2 hepatocytes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Cellular lipid accumulation was assessed by Oil Red O staining and a cellular triglyceride content assay. All analyzed WGEs showed significant antioxidant potential, although some bioactive compounds, such as carotenoids, tocopherols, and γ-oryzanol, were the highest in the ethanol extract. Correlation analysis revealed the antioxidant potential of all identified biogenic amines except for spermidine. Ethanol and n-hexane extracts significantly inhibited cellular lipid accumulation in cell models. These results suggest that WGEs exhibit promising antioxidant potential, with a variety of bioactive compounds. Collectively, the findings of this study suggest that bioactive compounds in WGEs attenuate plasma lipid and oxidation levels. In conclusion, WG can be used as a natural antioxidant and nutraceutical using appropriate solvents and extraction methods.

Keywords

antilipidemic effect; antioxidants; bioactive compounds; wheat germ extracts.

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