Investigation of 3T3-L1 Cell Differentiation to Adipocyte, Affected by Aqueous Seed Extract of Phoenix Dactylifera L

Background: Obesity, often associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes, is a metabolic disease that can result in dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia. Many reports describe the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties of the Phoenix dactylifera L. seed extract in STZ-induced diabetic rat models, however, its anti-diabetic effects in other diabetic models are less characterized in the literature. This study set out to determine the possible effects of the Phoenix dactylifera L. seed extract on adipogenesis and glucose homeostasis.  Methods: 3T3-L1 cells were cultured in adipocyte differentiation media with or without varying doses of Phoenix dactylifera L. extract (0.312-1 mg/ml). Assays were performed on days 5, 8, and 12 after induced differentiation.  Results: Our results demonstrate that the triglyceride content in treated groups was significantly lower compared to controls. Further, treating 3T3-L1 cells with Phoenix dactylifera L. seed extract reduced adipogenesis through the downregulation of PPAR-γ and CEBP-α, and adipocyte-specific genes involved in fatty acid metabolism including ap2, ACACA, and FAS.  Conclusions: Phoenix dactylifera L. seeds have the potential to inhibit adipogenesis and obesity. Overall, this study explored the inhibitory effects of Phoenix dactylifera L. seed extract on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells on the molecular level.