Anti-Adipogenic Effect of Neferine in 3T3-L1 Cells and Primary White Adipocytes

Abstract

Neferine, an alkaloid component extracted from lotus seed embryos, is known for its anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. However, the anti-adipogenic activity of neferine has not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, neferine was found to inhibit lipid accumulation in a dose-dependent manner during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells without inducing cytotoxicity. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunoblot analysis revealed the downregulation in the expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) and the upregulation in carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) levels following neferine treatment. Furthermore, neferine increased the phosphorylation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), which is an important regulator of fatty acid oxidation. Our result indicates that neferine attenuates adipogenesis and promotes lipid metabolism by activating AMPK-mediated signaling. Therefore, neferine may serve as a therapeutic candidate for obesity treatment.

Zeaxanthin remodels cytoplasmic lipid droplets via β3-adrenergic receptor signaling and enhances perilipin 5-mediated lipid droplet–mitochondrion interactions in adipocytes

“…The accumulation of LDs and the differentiation of preadipocytes into mature hypertrophic white adipocytes are generally considered to be hallmark events of obesity. 21–23 ORO staining confirmed that treatment with adipogenic MDI cocktail during adipocyte differentiation in the adipogenic differentiation control group resulted in a significant induction of LD accumulation compared with that in the undifferentiated control group ( p < 0.01), whereas these accumulation levels were markedly reduced by 52.91% ( p < 0.01) after treatment with ZEA (Fig. 1A–C).…”

“…The accumulation of LDs and the differentiation of preadipocytes into mature hypertrophic white adipocytes are generally considered to be hallmark events of obesity. [21][22][23] ORO staining confirmed that treatment with adipogenic MDI cocktail during adipocyte differentiation in the adipogenic differentiation…”

Characterization of Plocamium telfairiae Extract-Functionalized Au Nanostructures and Their Anti-Adipogenic Activity through PLD1

“…Lipid droplets act as storehouses for excess neutral lipids, typically triacylglycerols or cholesteryl esters. Abnormal accumulation of lipid droplets was observed in mature adipocytes [ 37 ]. Nile red (excitation/emission: 550/640 nm) exhibits intense fluorescence and serves as a sensitive stain for the detection of cytoplasmic lipid droplets.…”

Neferine attenuates doxorubicin‐induced fibrosis and hypertrophy in H9c2 cells

“…Chong et al [ 61 ] have also reported that SIRT1 activation protects the heart from hypertrophy and prevents progressive cardiac failure. Recently, Park et al [ 62 ] described neferine mediated SIRT1 activation in 3‐L1 cells and primary white adipocytes.…”