Aloe-Emodin Modifies Adipogenic Genes and the Expression of miR-143 and miR-155 in 3T3-L1 Cells

Adipogenesis is crucial for maintaining energy homeostasis, as it facilitates the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into adipocytes. This process is transcriptionally regulated by key factors including PPARγ and C/EBPβ, alongside FABP4 during lipogenesis. However, it is now well established that a significant portion of this regulation is also mediated by small non-coding RNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), which post-transcriptionally modulate gene expression. This study aimed to identify key miRNAs involved in adipogenesis and to determine how Aloe-emodin, a molecule with potent anti-inflammatory properties known to modulate adipocyte differentiation, alters their expression. Using an integrative approach combining 3T3-L1 cell culture, RNA-seq, and qPCR analyses, this study demonstrates that Aloe-emodin can upregulate transcription factors (PPARγ and C/EBPβ) as well as miR-143 and miR-155, suggesting its potential as a modulator of adipogenic gene or miRNA expression in this exploratory setting.