Encapsulated single garlic (Allium sativum L.) extract (E-SGE): A novel approach to inhibit adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells

Garlic (Allium sativum L.), a medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds like allicin, ajoene, and alliin, is traditionally used to treat obesity and related disorders. However, its bioavailability is limited due to instability and poor solubility. To overcome these challenges, we encapsulated single garlic extract (SGE) in a chitosan-alginate matrix for enhancing stability and bioavailability. The morphological characteristics of the encapsulated particles were assessed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), revealing them to be spherical, smooth, and porous. The cytotoxicity of encapsulated single garlic extract (E-SGE) was evaluated in 3T3-L1 cells using the MTT assay, and lipid accumulation during adipogenesis was monitored via Oil Red O (ORO) staining. Our results demonstrated that E-SGE significantly reduced lipid accumulation and inhibited adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells, as indicated by the decreased expression of adipogenic markers such as PPAR gamma, C/EBP alpha, GLUT4, and adiponectin. These findings suggest that E-SGE holds promise as a functional anti-obesity agent by targeting adipogenesis and enhancing the bioavailability of bioactive garlic compounds.