Overweight and obesity are turning into serious health problem. Natural products contained in medicinal plants are expected to be an effective source for the treatment of obesity. Acacia concinna is a medicinal plant, which was previously found to have high anti-obesogenic potential. However, the bioactive compound contained in the plant is undiscovered. In this study, we isolated the bioactive compound in the pod of A. concinna and evaluated its activity to inhibit pancreatic lipase and enhance lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocyte, two bio-activity related to anti-obesogenic potential.

Chromatographic purification of the extract of A. concinna pods guided by pancreatic lipase inhibitory activity assay gave mixture of saponins as the bioactive principle of A. concinna pods. Structural analysis by acidic or alkaline breakdown followed by chromatographic purification and spectrometric analysis gave acacic acid (triterpene), monoterpene with sugar (quinovose or xylose), and several sugars (glucose, arabinose, rhamnose) as components of the saponin showing resemblance to the reported structures.

Anti-obesogenic potentials of the A. concinna saponins were evaluated for lipase inhibition and enhancement of lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocyte. The results indicated that the saponin is an efficient lipase inhibitor and a lipolysis enhancer. In addition, the saponin also reduced the lipid accumulation in mature adipocytes. Thus, A. concinna saponin might be a good source for the treatment of obesity.