Anti-Obesity Effect of Fresh and Browned Magnolia denudata Flowers in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

The major components of magnolia flower extracts (MFEs) were classified into four substances, such as flavonoids, phenylethanoid glycoside derivatives (PhGs), caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs), and others, in our previous study. The chemical components of MFEs, including the rutin of flavonoid, acteoside and isoacteoside of PhGs, and caffeyolquinic acids, are reported to have physiological effects on anti-obesity effects. The anti-obesity effect of fresh and browned Magnolia denudata flower extracts (FMFE and BMFE, respectively) was investigated in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The treatment concentrations of FMFE and BMFE were 200 and 400 μg/mL, respectively, as determined with the WST-1 assay. Intracellular lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells was inhibited with the treatment of MFEs, including FMFE and BMFE, as observed with an image of the culture plate, using an optical microscope and Oil red O staining. The expression of the adipogenic target genes involved in adipocyte differentiation, including PPARγ, C/EBPα, perilipin, FABP4, FAS, HSL, and SREBP-1, was suppressed with the treatment of MFEs. Additionally, the phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC in 3T3-L1 cells was significantly increased following treatment with the MFEs. These results suggest that both MFEs have a potential for physiological effects on anti-obesity activity.