Figure 2.

The effect of EBN on transcriptional activity and expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. HEK293 cells were transiently transfected with luciferase construct containing peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), retinoid X receptor (RXRα), PPAR-response element (PPRE), and β-galactosidase. Then, the cells were treated with ethanol extract of Boehmeria nivea (EBN) (200, 400, 800, and 1200 μg/mL) for 24 h. Luciferase assay was performed, and the activity was normalized with that of β-galactosidase activity (a). The differentiated C2C12 cells were exposed to EBN in a dose-dependent manner for 6 h. The mRNA level of PPAR-γ and GAPDH was measured by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (b). Differentiated C2C12 cells were treated withEBN in a dose- and time-dependent manner. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and Akt expressions were determined by western blot analysis ((c), (d)). 1 mM AICAR was used as positive control for AMPK activation. Data are expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD); n = 3. Statistical significance: *P < 0.05 for the none versus EBN or rosiglitazone.