Anti-Obesity Effects of <i>Abeliophyllum distichum</i> 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 <i>Abeliophyllum distichum</i> extracts in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and their underlying mechanisms were investigated. Oil Red O staining was employed to assess the effects of <i>A. distichum</i> 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 <i>A. distichum</i> 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 <i>A. distichum</i> 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 <i>A. distichum</i> extracts exert antiobesity effects by modulating the AMPK signaling pathway and inhibiting adipogenesis. Given these significant bioactive properties, <i>A. distichum</i> extracts have promising application potential as a natural therapeutic agent for treating obesity.