ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of catechu water extract on adipogenesis in
3T3-L1 adipocytes. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated with adipogenic regents by incubation for 9 days in
the absence or presence of catechu extract ranging from 1∼200 μg/mL. The effect of catechu extracts on cell proliferation
of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was investigated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide
assay. The effect of catechu extracts on 3T3-L1 differentiation was examined by measuring intracellular lipid droplet
and triglyceride contents. These results were obtained from preadipocyte proliferation and adipocyte differentiation
of 3T3-L1. Catechu extracts inhibited lipid accumulation and remarkably decreased triglyceride contents in 3T3-L1
preadipocytes at a concentration showing no cytotoxicity. The anti-adipogenic effects of catechu appeared to be mediated
by significant down-regulation of expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, CCAAT/enhancer-binding
protein α, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c proteins apart from expression of hormone-sensitive lipase.
We suggest that catechu extracts significantly inhibit adipogenesis and can be used for regulation of obesity.