Combinational Effect of Pine Needle Polysaccharide and Kudzu Flavonoids on Cell Differentiation and Fat Metabolism in 3T3-L1 Cells

The aim of the study was to investigate the combinational effect of Pine needle polysaccharide (PNP) and Kudzu flavonoids (KF) on cell differentiation and fat metabolism in 3T3-L1 cells. 3T3-L1 cells were treated with various concentrations of PNP or/and KF. Cell viability, Oil red O staining, intracellular TG, glycerol in culture medium, levels of cytokines and expression of transcription factors genes were evaluated. PNP and KF combination significantly suppressed cells differentiation and fat accumulation by inhibiting the mRNA expression of PPAR gamma 2 (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-gamma 2), C/EBP alpha (CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins-alpha) and SREBP-1c (sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c) in 3T3-L1 cells. In addition, the gene expression and secretion of leptin and IL-6 were inhibited, adiponectin was significantly increased, secretion of TNF-alpha was inhibited by PNP and KF combination. Taken together, PNP and KF combination may exert anti-adipogenic effects through regulation of lipid metabolism gene expression of the transcription factors and cytokines. The findings suggested that PNP and KF combination may be explored as a potentially promising food additive for prevention of obesity.