Bioactive Fraction of Aronia melanocarpa Fruit Inhibits Adipogenic Differentiation of Cultured 3T3-L1 Cells

Obesity is caused by excessive fat cells and the overgrowth of adipocytes and is a major risk factor for several chronic illnesses. Aronia melanocarpa fruit is rich in anthocyanins and polyphenols and has protective effects against various diseases. In this study, we examined the effect of Aronia extract (Aronia bioactive fraction, ABF(R)) on the biomarkers of the adipogenic pathway during adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells. Lipid accumulation was verified by Oil Red O staining. mRNA and protein expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBP alpha), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR gamma), fatty acid-binding protein 2 (FABP2), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) were assayed by RT-qPCR and Western blot analyses. Adiponectin and leptin secretion were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. ABF(R) treatment downregulated lipid accumulation based on Oil Red O staining. ABF(R)-treated cells exhibited decreased mRNA and protein expression of LPL, C/EBP alpha, PPAR gamma, FABP2, and FAS. Moreover, ABF(R) treatment significantly increased adiponectin secretion and decreased leptin secretion. In conclusion, ABF(R) has anti-adipogenic effects on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells and may be used as an anti-obesity nutraceutical.