Screening of selected Asian spices for anti obesity-related bioactivities

• Published in: Food chemistry 2011-06, Vol.126 (4), p.1724-1729
• Main Authors: Yuliana, Nancy Dewi, Iqbal, Muzamal, Jahangir, Muhammad, Wijaya, Christofora Hanny, Korthout, Henrie, Kottenhage, Marijke, Kim, Hye Kyong, Verpoorte, Robert
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenosine A1 receptors; adipocytes; Allium cepa; Aroma and flavouring agent industries; Asian spices; bioactive properties; Biological and medical sciences; cell differentiation; Food industries; Functional food; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; human cell lines; Obesity; screening; Spices
• ISSN: 0308-8146; 1873-7072
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2010.12.066

► Thirty spices were screened with several anti-obesity related bioassays. ► Sesame seed, red chili exhibited high binding activity to the adenosine A1 receptor. ► Nutmeg, mace, black pepper, turmeric binds highly to cannabinoid CB1 receptor. ► Piment and turmeric showed high inhibition of TNF-α accumulation. ► Only black onion seed highly induced 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation. The potential health effects of 30 spices, commonly used for daily consumption, were submitted to bioactivity screening with several anti-obesity related bioassays: adenosine A1 receptor binding, cannabinoid CB1 receptor binding, TNF-α and 3T3-L1 adipocytes differentiation induction. Sesame seed and red chilli exhibited high binding activity to the adenosine A1 receptor and nutmeg, mace, black pepper and turmeric to the cannabinoid CB1 receptor, while piment and turmeric showed high inhibition of TNF-α accumulation. Black onion seed proved to be the only spice with high 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation induction activity. Several well known major compounds found in these active spices were tested with the respective bioassays but did not show activity. Thus, it appears that other minor compounds or the synergistic effects of different constituents are responsible for the observed activity.