PPARγ-mediated amelioration of lipid metabolism abnormality by kaempferol

Kaempferol can exert biological functions by regulating various signaling pathways. This study evaluated the ameliorative effect of kaempferol on lipid accumulation using oleic acid and palmitic acid-treated HepG2 cells and high-fat diet mice. In vitro oil red O staining showed that kaempferol treatment improved lipid accumulation (p < 0.001 for TG content and p < 0.05 for TC content). Immunofluorescence, Western blot analysis and RT-qPCR showed that kaempferol could promote nuclear translocation of PPAR gamma and reduce the expression of PPAR gamma, C/EBP beta, and SREBP-1c. Dietary intervention with kaempferol could reduce the lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and inflammatory cell infiltration, as well as attenuated serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-alpha in HFD-fed mice (p < 0.001 for IL-6 and p < 0.01 for TNF-alpha at kaempferol 60 mg/kg/d). Meanwhile, histopathological examination revealed that there was no substantial damage or distinct inflammation lesions in organs at the experimental dose, including the heart, lung, kidney, and spleen. The aforementioned research findings can serve as references for further preclinical investigations on the potential of kaempferol to mitigate lipid accumulation.