Eriocitrin promotes browning of white adipose tissue and activates brown adipose tissue through regulating HSF1/PGC-1α pathways

Browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) and activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) are novel strategies to prevent obesity. Eriocitrin, previously identified in blossom of Citrus aurantium L. var. amara Engl. (CAVA), has various beneficial effects. However, its role in browning of WAT and BAT activation remained unclear. In the current study, oleic acid-induced HepG2 cells and high fat-diet (HFD)-fed mice were developed and treated with eriocitrin. The results showed that eriocitrin significantly inhibited HepG2 cell steatosis, and prevented HFD-induced obesity and insulin resistance in mice. Eriocitrin also induced browning of WAT and activated BAT by increasing expression of thermogenic marker protein UCP1 and other brown/beige adipocyte markers. Further assays demonstrated that the anti-obesity effects of eriocitrin was probably achieved by regulating HSF1/PGC-1α pathway. These results suggested that eriocitrin might promote browning of WAT and activated BAT by activating HSF1/PGC-1α pathway, which was a promising candidate for developing weight-loss supplement. Eriocitrin treatment prevented obesity and its associated metabolic disorders in HFD-fed mice by promoting browning of WAT and activation of BAT via regulation of HSF1/PGC-1α pathway. • Eriocitrin treatment showed greater lipid-lowering activity. • Eriocitrin treatment promoted browning of eWAT in HFD-fed mice. • Eriocitrin treatment activated BAT in HFD-fed mice. • Eriocitrin treatment exerted anti-obesity effects through regulating HSF1/PGC1α pathway. • Eriocitrin was one of the key active compounds in blossom of CAVA.