Effect of Aporosa villosa Stem Ethanolic Extract on Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Background: An excessive fat accumulation is related to development of obesity. Obesity is associated with the induction of insulin resistance and diabetes mellitus conditions. Aporosa villosa is a plant that found in the Northern and Northeastern region of Thailand. Objective: The present study used 3T3-L1 adipocytes for investigating the effect of Aporosa villosa stem ethanolic extract (AS) on adipogenesis. Materials and Methods: 3T3-L1 adipocytes were used for measuring the cytotoxicity of AS at a concentration range of 3-100 μg/mL. After adipocyte cells treated with AS (3-100 μg/mL) for 8 days, the lipid accumulation was detected by Oil Red O staining and adipogenic gene expression were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Results: AS extracts (3-100 μg/mL) did not show cytotoxicity on cell proliferation. After 8 days of treating 3T3-L1 adipocytes with AS at doses of 3, 10, 30 and 100 μg/mL, the lipid droplets were reduced as compared to non-treated cells. Furthermore, the adipogenic genes were measured. The regulators of adipogenesis, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor γ (PPARγ) and sterol regulatory element binding protein 1c (SREBP1c) were found decreasing in AS extracts. The downstream target genes of these regulators cluster of differentiation (CD) 36, fatty acid synthase (FAS) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) were also reduced by AS treatments. Conclusion: These findings indicate that AS extract has an inhibitory activity on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes via suppressing C/EBPα, PPARγ and SREBP1c.