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Article

The Effects of Grateloupia elata Extract on Lipase Activity and Adipogenesis

긴까막살 추출물이 지방분해효소 활성과 지방세포형성에 미치는 영향

Eun Jeong Kang1
,
Hye Kyung Kim1
,
Yun-Sik Choi1*
,
Jia Bak2**
강 은정1
,
김 혜경1
,
최 윤식1*
,
박 지아2**
1Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Kyungsung University, Busan 48434, Korea
2Department of Cosmetic Science, College of Life and Health Science, Kyungsung University, Busan 48434, Korea
1경성대학교 약학대학 약학과 (48434) 부산광역시 남구 수영로309
2경성대학교 생명보건대학 화장품학과 (48434) 부산광역시 남구 수영로309
*Corresponding Author  **Corresponding Author
18 September 2026. pp. 1-11
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Abstract

Marine bioresources possess unique metabolites distinct from those of terrestrial sources due to their specialized survival environments, which drives intensive research into their development as functional ingredients for the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of Grateloupia elata (G. elata) extract on lipase activity and adipogenesis using porcine pancreatic lipase and 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes, respectively. For this purpose, 100% ethanol extract of G. elata was prepared. In the lipase inhibitory activity assay, the G. elata extract inhibited pancreatic lipase activity in a dose-dependent manner. In cell viability test, the G. elata extract did not induce cytotoxicity in 3T3-L1 cells, but rather promoted cell proliferation across the concentration ranges (25–200 μg/mL). Next, we examined the effect of G. elata extract on adipogenesis and gene expression profiles. In this study, the G. elata extract suppressed adipogenesis by reducing triglyceride accumulation and reactive oxygen species production. Mechanistically, the G. elata extract downregulated the mRNA expression of key adipogenic transcription factors, including sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBPα). In addition, the mRNA levels of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and diacylglycerol O-acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2), which are involved in fatty acid synthesis and storage, were also significantly reduced by the extract in differentiated adipocytes. Taken together, these results suggest that the G. elata extract exerts anti-obesity effects by inhibiting pancreatic lipase activity and suppressing adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells, indicating its potential as a functional ingredient for the prevention and treatment of obesity.

Keywords
Grateloupia elata
marine bioresources
anti-obesity
pancreatic lipase activity
adipogenesis
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Information
  • Publisher :Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국해양과학기술원
  • Journal Title :Ocean and Polar Research
  • Journal Title(Ko) :Ocean and Polar Research
  • Volume : 48
  • Pages :1-11
  • Received Date : 2026-07-01
  • Revised Date : 2026-08-31
  • Accepted Date : 2026-09-01
  • Published Date : 2026-09-18
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.4217/OPR.2026023
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