| Abstract
| - Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are drug targets for several perturbations of metabolic syndrome, defined as the coexistence of obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and hyper/dyslipidemia. In this study, PPAR activation by oregano (e.g., Origanum vulgare) and its components was tested. Oregano extracts bind but do not transactivate PPARγ, and binding affinity differs among different oregano extracts. The extracts contain PPARγ antagonists (e.g., quercetin, luteolin, rosmarinic acid, and diosmetin), selective PPARγ modulators (e.g., naringenin and apigenin), and PPARγ agonists (e.g., biochanin A). Oregano extract and isolated compounds in the extract antagonize rosiglitazone-mediated DRIP205/TRAP220 recruitment to PPARγ, pointing to oregano extracts as putative food supplements for weight reduction. Rosmarinic acid and biochanin A, PPARα agonists, may ameliorate the lipid profile. By endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation, oregano extract could prevent atherosclerosis. The results warrant further investigation of oregano extract for its potential to prevent and ameliorate metabolic syndrome and its complications.
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