Inhibitory effect of anthocyanin-rich black soybean testa (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) on the inflammation-induced adipogenesis in a DIO mouse model

Black soybeans have been known as medicinal food with anti-obesity, anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress effects, and the testa of Cheongja #3 black soybeans is especially rich in anthocyanins. Forty-one male C57BL/6N mice were randomly assigned into four groups after 10-week-period of diet-induced obesity: a control group, a high-fat diet group, a high-fat diet group with the ethanol extract from black soybean testa (BBC), and a high-fat diet group with orlistat; BBC was orally administered for 12 weeks. BBC treatment significantly decreased food intake, fat accumulation, and the expression of lipogenesis genes (acetyl-CoA carboxylase and CCAAT-enhancer-binding protein alpha), and increased the levels of lipolysis proteins (lipoprotein lipase, hormone-sensitive lipase, and AMP-activated protein kinase) in mesenteric fat. BBC also showed successful anti-inflammatory effects through regulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 and interleukin-10. These findings provide scientific support for using anthocyanin-rich black soybean as functional food in prevention of obesity and inflammation-induced diseases.