published_or_final_version / Chemistry / Master / Master of Science

Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris são bactérias termoacidófilas esporofórmicas não patogênicas e estão comumente presentes em sucos de frutas ácidas, podendo deteriorá-los. Tendo em vista a importância da atividade agrícola e seus derivados no país, como suco de laranja industrializado, o interesse no desenvolvimento de técnicas bioanalíticas que propiciem uma detecção rápida, sensível e confiável, bem como alternativas para inativação desse microrganismo, é elevado. Neste trabalho foi testado o uso de saponina como agente inibidor de esporos e células vegetativas de A. acidoterrestris, em sucos de laranja concentrado e reconstituído. Entretanto, à temperatura ambiente a inibição é lenta, especialmente para esporos (cerca de 10 dias para inibição total), inviabilizando o seu uso na indústria de cítricos. A combinação de tratamento térmico e saponinas potencializaram a inibição da bactéria, o que torna possível sua aplicação industrial. A potencialização com temperatura alcançou 20% para esporos em suco concentrado, 28,5% para esporos em suco reconstituído e 45,1% para células vegetativas em sucos reconstituídos. A detecção da viabilidade celular foi realizada pela reação em cadeia da polimerase por transcrição reversa (RT-PCR), que se mostrou uma técnica rápida, sensível, e quantitativamente equivalente ao método padrão de detecção, o plaqueamento de culturas, sendo o coeficiente de correlação (r) entre as técnicas de 0,9977 para esporos e 0,9987 para células vegetativas. A quantificação dos produtos da RT-PCR foi realizada por eletroforese capilar em microchip com o equipamento Bioanalyzer 2100. O equipamento forneceu resultados confiáveis e reprodutíveis para diagnóstico de DNA transcrito de A. acidoterrestris. Além da alta sensibilidade, o equipamento permitiu um mínimo consumo de amostra (1 μL), praticidade e rapidez. / Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris are termoacidophilic sporeforming nonpathogenic bacteria who are commonly present in acidic fruit juices and can deteriorate them. In view of the importance of agricultural activities in the country and its derivatives, such as industrialized orange juice the interest in the development of bioanalitycal techniques that provide early, sensitive, and reliable detection, as well as alternatives to inactivate the microorganism is elevated. This study tested the use of saponins as an inhibitor of spores and vegetative cells of A. acidoterrestris in both concentrate and reconstituted orange juices. At room temperature, however, the inhibition is slow, especially for spores (about 10 days for a total inhibition), preventing its use in the citrus industry. The combination of heat treatment and saponins potentiated the inhibition of bacteria, which makes possible their industrial application. Optimizing the temperature reached 20% for spores in juice concentrate, 28.5% for spores in reconstituted juice and 45.1% for vegetative cells in reconstituted juices. Detection of cell viability was performed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), which showed to be a fast, sensitive, and quantitative equivalent to the traditional plating technique, and the correlation coefficient (r) between the techniques were 0.9977 and 0.9987 for spores and vegetative cells, respectively. The quantification of the products of RT-PCR was performed by capillary electrophoresis on microchip with Bioanalyzer 2100 equipment. The equipment provided reliable and reproducible results for the diagnosis of DNA transcript of A. acidoterrestris. Besides of high sensitivity, the equipment allowed minimal consumption of sample (1 μL) and provided convenience and speed of analysis.

Embora seja uma das áreas mais ameaçadas na Terra, há poucos estudos sobre o potencial farmacológico da Caatinga. Este bioma é exclusivamente brasileiro e as plantas encontradas na região apresentam características únicas que as tornam fontes imensuráveis de compostos ativos. O parasito Trichomonas vaginalis é o agente etiológico da tricomoníase, a doença sexualmente transmissível não viral mais comum no mundo. A infecção está associada a sérias consequências em saúde e casos de resistência ao fármaco de escolha, metronidazol, estão em constante crescimento. Desta forma, a necessidade por alternativas para o tratamento da tricomoníase é evidente. O objetivo desta tese foi avaliar o potencial anti-T. vaginalis de plantas oriundas da Caatinga. A planta Manilkara rufula apresentou a mais potente atividade frente ao parasito e um fracionamento bioguiado foi realizado. Triterpenos pentacíclicos (caproato de α- e β-amirina, acetato de β-amirina e lupeol) foram identificados nas frações apolares de M. rufula, porém com baixa atividade antiparasitária. Derivados triterpênicos semissintéticos, frações contendo flavonoides, taninos e saponinas também foram testados. Nossos resultados demonstraram que o ácido ursólico e a fração H100 apresentaram potente atividade anti-T. vaginalis e ambos afetaram o crescimento e viabilidade dos trofozoítos. Além disso, o ácido ursólico e a fração H100 induziram importantes alterações na ultraestrutura dos organismos, indicando que o mecanismo de morte do parasito ocorreu por danos na membrana. A fração H100 induziu a lise total de eritrócitos e reduziu a adesão dos parasitos às células epiteliais, sugerindo, novamente, a ação sobre membrana. A fração H100 não apresentou citotoxicidade às células epiteliais. Os resultados apresentados demonstraram o potencial da planta M. rufula contra T. vaginalis e contribuem para o entendimento das propriedades farmacológicas das plantas da Caatinga, bem como para o desenvolvimento racional de alternativas para o tratamento da tricomoníase. / Although it is one of the most endangered areas on Earth, there are few studies on the pharmacological potential of the Caatinga. This is an exclusively Brazilian biome and its plants present unique characteristic that make them an immeasurable source of active compounds. The parasite Trichomonas vaginalis is the etiologic agent of trichomoniasis, the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease worldwide. The infection has been associated with serious consequences in health and cases of resistance to metronidazole are constantly increasing. Then, the necessity of new alternatives to the treatment of trichomoniasis is evident. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the anti-T. vaginalis potential of plants from Caatinga. The Manilkara rufula plant showed the most potent activity against the parasite and bioguided fractionation was performed. Pentacyclic triterpenes (α- and β-amyrin caproate and β-amyrin and lupeol acetate) were identified in the nonpolar fractions of M. rufula, however, low antiparasitic activity was observed. Triterpenic semisynthetic derivatives, fractions containing flavonoids, tannins and saponins were also tested. Our results showed that ursolic acid and H100 fraction exhibited potent anti-T. vaginalis activity and both affect growth and viability of trophozoites. In addition, ursolic acid and H100 fraction induced significant alterations in the ultrastructure of the parasite, indicating that the mechanism of death is by membrane damage. The H100 fraction induced complete lysis of erythrocytes and reduced the parasites adhesion to epithelial cells, once again, suggesting that the H100 action was on parasite membrane. The fraction H100 showed no cytotoxicity to epithelial cells. The results demonstrated the potential of the plant M. rufula against T. vaginalis and contributed to the understanding of the pharmacological properties of the Caatinga plants, as well as for the rational development of alternatives for trichomoniasis treatment.

Submitted by Jorge Silva (jorgelmsilva@ufrrj.br) on 2016-10-26T18:07:29Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2015 - Ileana Costa Miranda.pdf: 4377950 bytes, checksum: 0fd81889ff042fdd5ef81568986b1e7a (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-26T18:07:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2015 - Ileana Costa Miranda.pdf: 4377950 bytes, checksum: 0fd81889ff042fdd5ef81568986b1e7a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-12-15 / CAPES / Animals grazing Brachiaria spp commonly present foamy macrophages isolated or grouped in the liver, and crystals within biliary ducts. The pathogenesis of formation and the nature of the material stored on these cells, however, are not completely known. Through lectin histochemistry evaluation, steroidal saponins (secondary glycosylated metabolites) have been identified in the crystals and within the cytoplasm of the foam cells, which are probably liable for damage the liver leading to accumulation of phylloerythrin. This study aims to standardize the use of lectin histochemistry to detect glycosylated metabolites in tissues of buffaloes kept in different Brachiaria spp pastures in Brazil. Fragments of liver and mesenteric lymph node from 40 animals were analyzed: 10 buffaloes that were kept in predominant pasture of B. decumbens for 12 months; 10 buffaloes that were kept in pasture with a predominance of B. brizantha for 18 months; 10 buffaloes that were kept in pasture of B. brizantha for approximately four years; and, as a negative control, 10 buffaloes that were maintained in native pasture without Brachiaria spp since birth. Fourteen lectins were tested (Con-A, SBA, WGA, DBA, UEA, RCA, PNA, GSL-I, PSA, LCA, PHA-E, PHA-L, SJA and SWGA), in a total of 1120 evaluated fragments. Previous studies demonstrated that PNA showed great binding reactivity for foamy macrophages in bovine and ovine. In the present study, SWGA presented high specificity and marked binding reactivity for foamy macrophages; WGA, GSL, PHA-E and PHA-L showed moderate to marked reactivity but low specificity for foamy macrophages; the other lectins didn't show significant reactivity or specificity. It remains unclear why there is this difference in lectins binding reactivity to foamy macrophages; it is suggested that divergences may occur depending on the species of Brachiaria ingested, the plant growth stage, the type and proportion of saponins stored in the plant due to seasonality, the differences in the metabolism of animal species, the presence of photosensitivity, the clinical course of the disease and the plant intake time. Moreover, there was no significant reactivity difference between the collected fragments of animals that grazed in B. decumbens for 12 months and B. brizantha for 18 months. However, the decreased presence of foamy macrophages and its lectin histochemical binding in animals that fed on B. brizantha for a longer time indicates that the animals can pass through an adaptation process according to the the plant intake time. Lectin histochemistry analysis can be used to characterize the material stored in foamy macrophages present in liver and mesenteric lymph node of buffaloes that graze in Brachiaria spp pastures and helps to clarify the pathogenesis of these cells. / Animais que se alimentam em pastos de Brachiaria spp comumente apresentam macr?fagos espumosos isolados ou agrupados no f?gado, al?m de cristais no interior de ductos biliares. A patog?nese da forma??o e a natureza do material armazenado nestas c?lulas, contudo, ainda n?o s?o completamente conhecidas. Atrav?s da avalia??o lectino-histoqu?mica, saponinas esteroidais (metab?litos glicosilados secund?rios) t?m sido identificadas nos cristais e no citoplasma das c?lulas espumosas, que provavelmente s?o respons?veis por danificar o f?gado e levar ao ac?mulo de filoeritrina. Por meio deste trabalho, objetivou-se padronizar e caracterizar a utiliza??o da lectino-histoqu?mica na detec??o de metab?litos glicosilados nos tecidos de b?falos mantidos em diferentes pastos de Brachiaria spp no Brasil. Fragmentos de f?gado e linfonodo mesent?rico de 40 animais foram analisados: 10 b?falos mantidos em pastagem predominante de B. decumbens por aproximadamente 12 meses; 10 b?falos mantidos em pastagem predominante de B. brizantha por aproximadamente 18 meses; 10 b?falos mantidos em pastagem de B. brizantha por aproximadamente quatro anos; e, como controle negativo, 10 b?falos mantidos em pastagem livre de Brachiaria spp desde o nascimento. Quatorze lectinas foram testadas (Con-A, SBA, WGA, DBA, UEA, RCA, PNA, GSL-I, PSA, LCA, PHA-E, PHA-L, SJA e SWGA), em um total de 1120 fragmentos avaliados. Estudos anteriores demonstraram que a lectina PNA possui marcada reatividade para macr?fagos espumosos de bovinos e ovinos. No presente estudo, a lectina SWGA apresentou acentuada reatividade e alta especificidade para macr?fagos espumosos; WGA, GSL, PHA-E e PHA-L mostraram moderada a acentuada reatividade, mas baixa especificidade aos macr?fagos espumosos; as outras lectinas n?o apresentaram reatividade ou especificidade significativas. Ainda n?o se sabe exatamente a que atribuir a diferen?a de reatividade aos macr?fagos espumosos. Sugere-se que diverg?ncias ocorram em fun??o da esp?cie de Brachiaria ingerida, da fase de crescimento da planta, do tipo e propor??o dos glicoconjugados armazenados na planta em decorr?ncia da ?poca do ano, das diferen?as no metabolismo da esp?cie do animal em quest?o, da presen?a de fotossensibiliza??o, da evolu??o cl?nica da doen?a e do tempo de ingest?o da planta. N?o houve diferen?a de marca??o significativa entre os fragmentos coletados de animais que se alimentaram de B. decumbens por 12 meses e B. brizantha por 18 meses. Por?m, a diminui??o da presen?a e marca??o lectino-histoqu?mica dos macr?fagos espumosos nos tecidos dos b?falos que ingeriram B. brizantha durante mais tempo indica que os animais podem passar por um processo de adapta??o de acordo com o tempo de ingest?o da planta. A avalia??o lectino-histoqu?mica pode ser utilizada para caracterizar o material armazenado em macr?fagos espumosos presentes no f?gado e linfonodo mesent?rico de b?falos que se alimentam em pastagens de Brachiaria spp e ajuda na compreens?o da patog?nese de forma??o destas c?lulas.

Thesis (Ph.D)--Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009. / Committee Chair: McCarty, Nael A.; Committee Co-Chair: Kubanek, Julia; Committee Member: Derby, Charles; Committee Member: Goodisman, Michael; Committee Member: Pardue, Machelle; Committee Member: Weissburg, Marc. Part of the SMARTech Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Collection.

Dietary phytochemicals such as saponins have been suggested to have therapeutic uses in the prevention and alleviation of hypercholesterolemia. Thus, twelve Tanzanian plant additives hypothesized to contain saponins and used in soup by the Batemi, were investigated for in vitro hypocholesterolemic potential by: (1) screening for likelihood of detectable saponins using TLC, hemolysis, frothing ability and molluscicidal activity. (2) using changes in hemolytic activity to indirectly examine interactions of plant extracts with cholesterol, cholesterol-analogues, conjugated bile salts and non-conjugated bile salts. (3) using radiolabelled cholesterol to examine direct binding capacity of extracts with cholesterol. Albizia anthelmintica, Myrsine africana and Acacia goetzii were most likely to contain saponins and had significant (p $<$ 0.05) hemolytic activity that was effected by the presence of cholesterol, cholesterol analogues, conjugated and non-conjugated bile salts (p $<$ 0.05). Methanol, ethyl acetate, aqueous and n-butanol extracts of A. anthelmintica and methanol, ethyl acetate and aqueous extracts of A. goetzii bound significant amounts of cholesterol solubilized in ethanol (p $<$ 0.05). Thus, saponins are a detectable component of the Batemi diet and extracts likely containing saponins do interact with chemicals that have been proposed to be involved in in vivo mechanisms of saponin induced hypocholesterolemia. A. anthelmintica and A. goetzii seem likely to have hypocholesterolemic potential as dietary additives.

Licentiatavhandling (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniverstet, 2006. / Härtill 2 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2008. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Embora seja uma das áreas mais ameaçadas na Terra, há poucos estudos sobre o potencial farmacológico da Caatinga. Este bioma é exclusivamente brasileiro e as plantas encontradas na região apresentam características únicas que as tornam fontes imensuráveis de compostos ativos. O parasito Trichomonas vaginalis é o agente etiológico da tricomoníase, a doença sexualmente transmissível não viral mais comum no mundo. A infecção está associada a sérias consequências em saúde e casos de resistência ao fármaco de escolha, metronidazol, estão em constante crescimento. Desta forma, a necessidade por alternativas para o tratamento da tricomoníase é evidente. O objetivo desta tese foi avaliar o potencial anti-T. vaginalis de plantas oriundas da Caatinga. A planta Manilkara rufula apresentou a mais potente atividade frente ao parasito e um fracionamento bioguiado foi realizado. Triterpenos pentacíclicos (caproato de α- e β-amirina, acetato de β-amirina e lupeol) foram identificados nas frações apolares de M. rufula, porém com baixa atividade antiparasitária. Derivados triterpênicos semissintéticos, frações contendo flavonoides, taninos e saponinas também foram testados. Nossos resultados demonstraram que o ácido ursólico e a fração H100 apresentaram potente atividade anti-T. vaginalis e ambos afetaram o crescimento e viabilidade dos trofozoítos. Além disso, o ácido ursólico e a fração H100 induziram importantes alterações na ultraestrutura dos organismos, indicando que o mecanismo de morte do parasito ocorreu por danos na membrana. A fração H100 induziu a lise total de eritrócitos e reduziu a adesão dos parasitos às células epiteliais, sugerindo, novamente, a ação sobre membrana. A fração H100 não apresentou citotoxicidade às células epiteliais. Os resultados apresentados demonstraram o potencial da planta M. rufula contra T. vaginalis e contribuem para o entendimento das propriedades farmacológicas das plantas da Caatinga, bem como para o desenvolvimento racional de alternativas para o tratamento da tricomoníase. / Although it is one of the most endangered areas on Earth, there are few studies on the pharmacological potential of the Caatinga. This is an exclusively Brazilian biome and its plants present unique characteristic that make them an immeasurable source of active compounds. The parasite Trichomonas vaginalis is the etiologic agent of trichomoniasis, the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease worldwide. The infection has been associated with serious consequences in health and cases of resistance to metronidazole are constantly increasing. Then, the necessity of new alternatives to the treatment of trichomoniasis is evident. The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the anti-T. vaginalis potential of plants from Caatinga. The Manilkara rufula plant showed the most potent activity against the parasite and bioguided fractionation was performed. Pentacyclic triterpenes (α- and β-amyrin caproate and β-amyrin and lupeol acetate) were identified in the nonpolar fractions of M. rufula, however, low antiparasitic activity was observed. Triterpenic semisynthetic derivatives, fractions containing flavonoids, tannins and saponins were also tested. Our results showed that ursolic acid and H100 fraction exhibited potent anti-T. vaginalis activity and both affect growth and viability of trophozoites. In addition, ursolic acid and H100 fraction induced significant alterations in the ultrastructure of the parasite, indicating that the mechanism of death is by membrane damage. The H100 fraction induced complete lysis of erythrocytes and reduced the parasites adhesion to epithelial cells, once again, suggesting that the H100 action was on parasite membrane. The fraction H100 showed no cytotoxicity to epithelial cells. The results demonstrated the potential of the plant M. rufula against T. vaginalis and contributed to the understanding of the pharmacological properties of the Caatinga plants, as well as for the rational development of alternatives for trichomoniasis treatment.

Overweight and obesity are becoming a major public health issue. Pancreatic lipase is a key enzyme to catalyze the hydrolysis of 50-70% of dietary fat in the digestive system. Inhibition of pancreatic lipase activity can block fat absorption in gastrointestinal tract, further control obesity incidence. On the other hand, a-glucosidase is also a key enzyme to hydrolysis polysaccharides and disaccharides into glucose in small intestine. Inhibition of a-glucosidase activity can block digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, further control metabolism disorders such as diabetes and obesity. Food legumes are widely used in people’s life with multiple pharmacological activities. The author extracted total phenolics and saponin components from 13 commonly consumed food legumes produced in China, did a systematic comparative study investigating their inhibitory effects against digestive enzymes (pancreatic lipase and a-glucosidase), and screened adzuki bean (Vigna angularis L.) as the further target bean. The results showed that the different concentrations of total phenolic extract from adzuki bean (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1 mg/mL) inhibited hydrolysis of triolein about 24.1, 24.0, 30.7, and 36.3%, respectively, while different concentrations of total saponin extracts from adzuki bean (0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1 mg/mL) inhibited hydrolysis of triolein about 15.9, 23.5, 30.1, and 29.2%, respectively. On the other hand, phenolic extract of adzuki bean at the concentration from 0.25 to 1 mg/mL exhibited much more than 80% a-glucosidase inhibitory activity, while saponin extract of adzuki bean exhibited 56.4 to 68.7% a-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Based on the results of pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity, at the concentration of 1 mg/mL, phenolics extract and saponin extract of adzuki bean (mean 32.5%) and pinto bean (mean 27%) had the stronger inhibitory effects. Moreover, phenolics extract and saponin extract of adzuki bean (mean 79.25%) and pinto bean (mean 72.85%) also had the stronger inhibitory effects on a-glucosidase activity. In addition, adzuki bean is widely used and has diverse application in foods and drugs. In a word, it indicated that adzuki bean is one of the best target beans to further study anti-obesity and anti-diabetes effects via cell and animal models. Flavonoids and saponins in adzuki bean were obtained and characterized by high performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection and electro spray ionization-tandem multi-stage mass spectrometry in succession. Among 15 compounds identified, four flavonoids (catechin, vitexin-4.-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside) and six saponins (azukisaponin I, II, III, IV, V, and VI) in adzuki bean were further quantified by external calibration method using high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry with the program of time segment and extract ion chromatogram analysis. Animal model is a good way to intuitively evaluate the anti-obesity effect of adzuki bean. So the anti-obesity effects of adzuki bean in mice fed with a high-fat diet was investigated. ICR female mice were fed with a high fat diet administrated orally with different doses of adzuki bean extracts for eight weeks. Total extract, flavonoids and saponins of adzuki bean enhanced lipolysis (166.1%, 175.6%, and 152.6%, respectively). Compared to the final body weight (33.6 g) of the high-fat diet group, oral administration (300 mg/kg per day) of total extract, flavonoids and saponins of adzuki bean significantly reduced the final body weight of mice, and significantly decreased the adipose tissue accumulation. The adzuki bean intervention also significantly reduced the levels of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and liver lipid. Adzuki bean demonstrated the anti-obesity effects on mice fed with a high fat diet, such effects may mediated through the inhibitory effects of flavonoids and saponins from adzuki bean on a-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase activities, and lipolysis enhancement effect of active components from adzuki bean. Obesity is characterized biologically at the cellular level by as an increase in the number of preadipocutes and an increase in the size of adipocytes differentiated from preadipocytes in adipose tissue. 3T3-L1 cell model was used to reveal the mechanism of anti-obesity effects of adzuki bean in the present study. The results showed that adzuki bean total extract, adzuki bean flavonoids, adzuki bean saponins, four mono flavonoides (catechin, vitexin-4.-O-glucoside, quercetin-3-O-glucoside, and quercetin-3-O-rutinoside) and six mono saponins (azukisaponin I, II, III, IV, V, and VI) exhibited inhibitory effect of proliferation of 3T3-L1 cells, and the inhibitory rate of proliferation of 3T3-L1 cells was about 20%. Mature adipocytes were stained by Oil Red O and the lipid accumulated exhibited red color, while the preadipocytes could not been stained. The data of the effects of adzuki bean samples on lipid accumulation during the differentiation period of 3T3-L1 cells revealed that azukisaponin II had the highest inhibitory effect (49.72%) with a dose dependent manner from 50 to 500 µg/mL. It indicated that adzuki bean may block the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells from preadipocytes to mature adipocytes which contribute to anti-obesity effects. Most of adzuki bean samples significantly blocked the triglyceride accumulation and enhanced lipolysis by increseaing the released of glycerol during differentiation of 3T3-L1 cell. Additionally, adzuki bean samples except catechin significantly inhibited glycerol-3-phosphase dehydrogenase activity in 3T3-L1 cells, which indicated that adzuki bean samples had the ability to inhibit triglyceride synthesis. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot methods were used to investigate the intervention effects of adzuki bean total extract, adzuki bean flavonoids, adzuki bean saponins, quercetin-3-O-rutinoside, and azukisaponin II isolated from adzuki bean on the related gene expressions. These adzuki bean samples inhibited differentiation of 3T3-L1 cell by decreasing the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor . and CCATT/enhancer-binding protein a (major adipocyte transcription factors) at messenger ribonucleic acid level and protein level in adipocytes. Additional, they inhibited adipogenesis by decreasing the expression of fatty acid synthase, promoting lipolysis by increasing the expression of hormone-sensitive lipase and adipose triglyceride lipase, made energy balance by regulating the expression of leptin, adenosine monophosphate -activated protein kinase, and tumor necrosis factor a, and induced cell apoptosis by increasing the expression of bax and decresing the expression of B-cell lymphoma 2. These findings provide insight into the molecular mechanisums through regulation of the related gene expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. It also suggested that adzuki bean had a positive effect in prevention and treatment of adipogenesis-related obesity, and might be a good option of functional foods to control obesity.