Effect of Lemon Verbena Polyphenol on Glycerol Channel Aquaporin 7 Expression in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Objective: Polyphenols are of great interest in obesity prevention approaches. The aquaglyceroporin 7 (AQP7) channel is involved in the transport of glycerol across cell membranes in adipose tissue. This study aimed to explore how lemon verbena (LV) polyphenols affect the expression of the glycerol channels AQP7 and perilipin 1 (PLIN1) in 3T3-L1 hypertrophic adipocytes.Materials and Methods: Hypertrophic adipocyte cells (H) were treated with LV at two different doses of 200 µg/mL (H-LV200) and 400 µg/mL (H-LV400). In addition, 0.1 µM β3-AR agonist (CL316243) and 0.1 µM β3-AR antagonist (L7483337) were applied to the cells at both doses. AQP7 and PLIN1 gene expressions were determined by real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and glycerol levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results: Hypertrophic adipocytes showed increased AQP7 and PLIN1 gene expression and glycerol content compared with the control group. H-LV200 and CL316243 treatment together increased AQP7 gene expression, whereas H-LV400 and L7483337 treatment together decreased AQP7 gene expression.Conclusion: The data indicated that both doses of LV inhibited glycerol production by suppressing AQP7 and PLIN1 gene expression. Approaches to regulate AQP7 gene expression in adipose tissue using plant-derived polyphonic compounds are considered a healthy and innovative approach to combat and manage metabolic diseases, including obesity.