Asimina triloba (pawpaw) fruit extract suppresses adipocyte differentiation and lipogenesis-related protein expression in 3T3-L1 cells

Obesity is a health condition accompanied by life-threatening comorbidities; hence, there is an increasing need for anti-obesity agents. The anti-cancer effects of the leaves of Asimina triloba (pawpaw) has been reported. However, limited research has been conducted on the potential anti-obesity effects of A. triloba fruit. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the effects of A. triloba fruit extract on murine preadipocytes (3T3-L1). We specifically examined lipid droplet formation in these cells using Oil Red O solution and intracellular pro-adipogenic protein levels were examined using western blot analysis. The results revealed that treatment with A. triloba 70% ethanolic fruit extract effectively suppressed lipid droplet formation. Moreover, the expression of crucial proteins involved in adipogenesis, namely sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, and fatty acid synthase, were significantly inhibited. These findings suggest that A. triloba fruit has the potential to prevent obesity by inhibiting fat synthesis and may serve as a natural source for anti-obesity functional agents..