Anti-Obesity Effects of Abeliophyllum distichum Extracts via the AMPK Signaling Pathway in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Obesity is a major public health concern because of its association with metabolic disorders (e.g., type 2 diabetes mellitus) and cardiovascular diseases. Natural compounds are increasingly being explored as safer alternatives to synthetic antiobesity drugs. In this study, the antiobesity effects of Abeliophyllum distichum extracts in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and their underlying mechanisms were investigated. Oil Red O staining was employed to assess the effects of A. distichum extracts on adipogenesis and lipid accumulation, and Western blot analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction were used to analyze the key molecular pathways were. Treatment with A. distichum extracts significantly inhibited lipid accumulation and suppressed the expression of adipogenic transcription factors, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c, at the protein and mRNA levels. Furthermore, treatment with A. distichum extracts activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and enhanced the phosphorylation of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), which are key regulators of cellular energy metabolism, while reducing the total ACC expression. These findings indicate that A. distichum extracts exert antiobesity effects by modulating the AMPK signaling pathway and inhibiting adipogenesis. Given these significant bioactive properties, A. distichum extracts have promising application potential as a natural therapeutic agent for treating obesity.