Mohammad Shahid

Obesity is one of the more complicated diseases, it can induce numerous life‐threatening diseases mainly diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and certain cancers. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of bacoside‐A (a dammarane‐type triterpenoid saponin derived from the plant Bacopa monniera Linn.) on the adipogenesis of 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes. Results of this study illustrated that bacoside‐A decreased the differentiation of 3T3‐L1 cell, as evidenced by diminution of lipid droplets, which contains triglycerides and other lipids. During the differentiation process, transcription factors, which are mainly participating in adipogenesis such us CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein α (C/EBPα) and C/EBPβ, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ (PPARγ), and sterol regulatory element‐binding protein‐1c (SREBP‐1c), expressions were significantly suppressed by bacoside‐A. In addition, bacoside‐A showed a potent reduction in genes precise to adipocytes such as lipoprotein lipase (LPL), fatty acid synthase (FAS), adipocyte fatty acid‐binding protein (FABP4), and leptin expressions. Further, bacoside‐A stimulated the phosphorylation of acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC) and AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK). These results demonstrated that bacoside‐A has anti‐adipogenic effects by regulating the transcription factors involved in adipocyte differentiation. Therefore, bacoside‐A might be considered as a potent therapeutic agent for alleviating obesity and hyperlipidemia.