Hesperetin Stimulates Cholecystokinin Secretion in Enteroendocrine STC-1 Cells

Hesperetin (3',5,7-trihydroxy 4'-methoxyflavanone) and its glycoside hesperidin (hesperetin 7-rhamnoglucoside) in oranges have been reported to possess pharmacological effects related to anti-obesity. However, hesperetin and hesperidin have not been studied on suppressive effects on appetite. This study examined that hesperetin and hesperidin can stimulate the release of cholecystokinin (CCK), one of appetite-regulating hormones, from the enteroendocrine STC-1 cells, and then examined the mechanisms involved in the CCK release. Hesperetin significantly and dose-dependently stimulated CCK secretion with an EC(50) of 0.050 mM and increased the intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) compared to the untreated control. The stimulatory effect by hesperetin was mediated via the entry of extracellular Ca(2+) and the activation of TRP channels including TRPA1. These results suggest that hesperetin can be a candidate biomolecule for the suppression of appetite and eventually for the therapeutics of obesity.