alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in alloxaninduced diabetic rats when treated by safflower oil as diet supplementation at a
dose of 200 mg/kg (Rahimi et al. 2014).
17.4.12 Anti-Obesity/Anti-Adipogenic Activity
Safflower due to its composition, the effect on lipid profile and hypoglycemic effects
carries the potential to reduce obesity and fat accumulation. Studies have reported
the antiadipogenic effects of the safflower supplementation. A study reported the
reduction in body fat accumulation in meal-fed Sprague–Dawley rats following a
diet rich in high oleic acid-rich safflower oil (Takeuchi et al. 1995). In another study,
Zhang and colleagues reported the altered expression of adiposity-related genes in
adipocytes following a diet supplemented with safflower oil. Altered gene expression in adipocytes further improved the effectivity of safflower in ameliorating dietinduced obesity (Zhang et al. 2010).
Consumption of safflower diet has been shown to increase the activity of lipoprotein lipase in both heart and skeletal muscles, resulting in the increased rate of fat
oxidation and decreased serum triglycerol levels (Shimomura et al. 1990). Moreover, safflower oil protects against fat-induced insulin resistance by increasing the
concentration of peroxisomal acyl CoA oxidase and 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase
enzymes in the liver (Khalid et al. 2017).
Another study reports the efficient potential of safflower oil in treating cellulitis
and localized fat. Reduction in body mass index and tight circumference along with
improvement in the degree of cellulitis was observed after 90 days of daily supplementation with 1.6 g of oleic acid and 9 g of linoleic acids (Nunes and Samanta
2014). In addition to oil extracts, safflower seed and seed meal have also been
reported to exhibit anti audiogenic properties.
Defatted safflower seeds or safflower meal are rich in polyphenols that can be
effective against adipogenesis and other problems related to obesity. The antiadipogenic effects of ethanolic extracts of defatted safflower seeds were evaluated
by Hwang and colleagues in 3T3-L1 cultured preadipocytes and in C57BL/6J ob/ob
mice that were fed a high-fat diet. In 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, safflower extracts were
shown to inhibit their differentiation into adipocytes and decrease the expression of
adipogenic transcription factors and target genes of these factors. While in C57BL/6J
ob/ob mice, body fat, plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, and plasma
and hepatic triglyceride levels reduced significantly suggesting the strong potential
of safflower in the treatment of obesity and obesity-associated metabolic disorders,
improving plasma and hepatic lipid profiles (Hwang et al. 2016).
Another study evaluated the antioxidant and antiadipogenic activity of hot water
extracts of safflower seeds. Anti-adipogenic effects were evaluated through the
accumulation of lipids in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Phenolic components of safflower
seed extract were reported to exhibit antiadipogenic activity and suppress the
accumulation of lipids in 3T3-L1 adipocytes (Yu et al. 2013).
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M. Nazir et al.
dose of 200 mg/kg (Rahimi et al. 2014).
17.4.12 Anti-Obesity/Anti-Adipogenic Activity
Safflower due to its composition, the effect on lipid profile and hypoglycemic effects
carries the potential to reduce obesity and fat accumulation. Studies have reported
the antiadipogenic effects of the safflower supplementation. A study reported the
reduction in body fat accumulation in meal-fed Sprague–Dawley rats following a
diet rich in high oleic acid-rich safflower oil (Takeuchi et al. 1995). In another study,
Zhang and colleagues reported the altered expression of adiposity-related genes in
adipocytes following a diet supplemented with safflower oil. Altered gene expression in adipocytes further improved the effectivity of safflower in ameliorating dietinduced obesity (Zhang et al. 2010).
Consumption of safflower diet has been shown to increase the activity of lipoprotein lipase in both heart and skeletal muscles, resulting in the increased rate of fat
oxidation and decreased serum triglycerol levels (Shimomura et al. 1990). Moreover, safflower oil protects against fat-induced insulin resistance by increasing the
concentration of peroxisomal acyl CoA oxidase and 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase
enzymes in the liver (Khalid et al. 2017).
Another study reports the efficient potential of safflower oil in treating cellulitis
and localized fat. Reduction in body mass index and tight circumference along with
improvement in the degree of cellulitis was observed after 90 days of daily supplementation with 1.6 g of oleic acid and 9 g of linoleic acids (Nunes and Samanta
2014). In addition to oil extracts, safflower seed and seed meal have also been
reported to exhibit anti audiogenic properties.
Defatted safflower seeds or safflower meal are rich in polyphenols that can be
effective against adipogenesis and other problems related to obesity. The antiadipogenic effects of ethanolic extracts of defatted safflower seeds were evaluated
by Hwang and colleagues in 3T3-L1 cultured preadipocytes and in C57BL/6J ob/ob
mice that were fed a high-fat diet. In 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, safflower extracts were
shown to inhibit their differentiation into adipocytes and decrease the expression of
adipogenic transcription factors and target genes of these factors. While in C57BL/6J
ob/ob mice, body fat, plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, and plasma
and hepatic triglyceride levels reduced significantly suggesting the strong potential
of safflower in the treatment of obesity and obesity-associated metabolic disorders,
improving plasma and hepatic lipid profiles (Hwang et al. 2016).
Another study evaluated the antioxidant and antiadipogenic activity of hot water
extracts of safflower seeds. Anti-adipogenic effects were evaluated through the
accumulation of lipids in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Phenolic components of safflower
seed extract were reported to exhibit antiadipogenic activity and suppress the
accumulation of lipids in 3T3-L1 adipocytes (Yu et al. 2013).
444
M. Nazir et al.