Inhibitory activity of chokeberry, bilberry, raspberry and cranberry polyphenol-rich extract towards adipogenesis and oxidative stress in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipose cells

<div><p>Berries are a rich source of antioxidants and phytochemicals that have received considerable interest for their possible relations to human health. In this study, the anti-adipogenic effect of polyphenol-rich extract obtained from chokeberry <i>Aronia melanocarpa</i> (Michx.) Elliot, raspberry <i>Rubus idaeus</i> L., bilberry <i>Vaccinium myrtillus</i> L. and cranberry <i>Vaccinium macrocarpon</i> Aiton fruits and its underlying molecular mechanisms were investigated in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipose cells. Treatment with the extract (25–100 μg/mL) significantly decreased lipid accumulation and reactive oxygen species generation in adipocytes without showing cytotoxicity. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that the extract at a concentration of 100 μg/mL suppressed adipogenesis and lipogenesis via the down-regulation of <i>PPARγ</i> (67%), <i>C/EBPα</i> (72%), <i>SREBP1</i> (62%), <i>aP2</i> (24%), <i>FAS</i> (32%), <i>LPL</i> (40%), <i>HSL</i> (39%), and <i>PLIN1</i> (32%) gene expression. Moreover, the extract significantly increased the expression of adiponectin (4.4-fold) and decreased leptin expression (90%) and respectively regulated the production of these adipokines in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The obtained results suggest that the analyzed extract may be a promising source of bioactive compounds that support long-term weight maintenance and promote the effective management of obesity.</p>