Chrysanthemum promotes adipocyte differentiation, adiponectin secretion and glucose uptake.

The adipose tissue is an endocrine organ, and its endocrine function is closely related to type 2 diabetes. Edible Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. (ECM) possesses several biological properties; however, its effect on adipocytes remains unclear. We investigated the effect of the hot water extract of ECM (HW-ECM) on 3T3-L1 adipocytes. HW-ECM enhanced adipocyte differentiation, adiponectin secretion, and glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells. It also increased the mRNA levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), a regulator of adipocyte differentiation, adiponectin transcription, and GLUT4 expression. In addition, HW-ECM increased the mRNA levels of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-delta (C/EBPδ), which induces PPARγ expression, but not C/EBPβ, during early adipocyte differentiation. These results suggest that HW-ECM enhances adipocyte differentiation, adiponectin secretion, and glucose uptake through C/EBPδ-induced PPARγ expression. These effects of HW-ECM on adipocytes suggest that HW-ECM is potentially beneficial for type 2 diabetes.