Artesunate inhibits adipogeneis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes by reducing the expression and/or phosphorylation levels of C/EBP-α, PPAR-γ, FAS, perilipin A, and STAT-3

Differentiation of preadipocyte, also called adipogenesis, leads to the phenotype of mature adipocyte. However, excessive adipogenesis is closely linked to the development of obesity. Artesunate, one of artemisinin-type sesquiterpene lactones from Artemisia annua L, is known for anti-malarial and anti-cancerous activities. In this study, we investigated the effect of artesunate on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Artesunate strongly inhibited lipid accumulation and triglyceride (TG) synthesis during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into adipocytes at 5 mu M concentration. Artesunate at 5 mu M also reduced not only the expressions of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-alpha (C/EBP-alpha), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and perilipin A but also the phosphorylation levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT-3) during adipocyte differentiation. Moreover, artesunate at 5 mu M reduced leptin, but not adiponectin, mRNA expression during adipocyte differentiation. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that artesunate inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipoytes through the reduced expression and/or phosphorylation levels of C/EBP-alpha, PPAR-gamma, FAS, perilipin A, and STAT-3. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.