Berberine inhibits adipogenesis in high-fat diet-induced obesity mice

Our previous studies illustrated that berberine inhibited adipogenesis in murine-derived 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and human white preadipocytes. In this study, the effects of berberine on the adipogenesis of high-fat diet-induced obesity (FD) or normal diet (ND) mice and possible transcriptional impact are investigated. The results demonstrated that in FD mice, berberine reduced mouse weight gain and food intake and serum glucose, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels accompanied with a down-regulation of PPARγ expression and an up-regulation of GATA-3 expression. Berberine had no adverse effects on ND mice. These encouraging findings suggest that berberine has excellent pharmacological potential to prevent obesity.

Graphical abstractBody weight record of vehicle (control) or berberine (BB) treated high-fat diet-induced obesity (fat diet, FD) mice and normal diet mice (ND).Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide