An active extract of Lindera obtusiloba inhibits adipogenesis via sustained Wnt signaling and exerts anti-inflammatory effects in the 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.

Obesity, the related metabolic syndrome and associated liver diseases represent an epidemic problem and demand for effective therapeutic strategies. In this regard, natural compounds derived from Oriental medicine such as green tea polyphenols influencing adipogenesis attract growing attention. In Korea, an aqueous extract from the Japanese spice bush Lindera obtusiloba is traditionally used for treatment of inflammation and prevention of liver damage. We here investigated effects of the L. obtusiloba extract on cell growth, apoptosis, Wnt signaling and differentiation of (im)mature adipocytes using 3T3-L1, an established cell line for studying adipogenesis. L. obtusiloba extract reduced the de novo DNA synthesis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a concentration dependent manner with an IC(50) of ∼135 μg/ml paralleled by induction of caspase 3/7 mediated apoptosis. Hormone-induced 3T3 L1 differentiation in the presence of L. obtusiloba extract resulted in a reduced accumulation of intracellular lipid droplets by 70%, in down-regulated expression of the adipogenesis-associated proteins glucose transporter-4 and vascular endothelial growth factor, in reduced secretion of the proadipogenic matrix metalloproteinase-2, and in dampened phosphorylation of the Wnt pathway effector protein β-catenin with subsequent diminished expression of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ. Treatment of mature adipocytes with L. obtusiloba extract also significantly reduced intracellular lipid droplets. In addition to this strong interference of L. obtusiloba extract with adipogenesis, L. obtusiloba extract exerted anti-inflammatory effects. L. obtusiloba extract significantly attenuated lipopolysaccharide- and tumor necrosis factor α-induced secretion of IL-6 by preadipocytes, thus influencing insulin resistance and inflammatory state characterizing obesity. In conclusion, extracts of L. obtusiloba should be evaluated as a potential complementary treatment option for obesity associated with the metabolic syndrome.