ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effects of emodin on proliferation and differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte and the possible mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cell proliferation was determined by MTT spectrophotometry, cell differentiation was determined by Oil Red O staining,and fatty acid synthase (FAS) activity was determined by spectrophotometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Emodin promoted proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte at low concentration and inhibited the proliferation at high concentration in a dose-related manner. In contrast, it inhibited cell differentiation into adipocyte at low concentration in a dose-related manner. In vitro emodin inhibited the activity of FAS in a dose-related manner.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The effects of emodin on 3T3-L1 cell's proliferation and differentiation are dose dependent. Emodin inhibits the activity of FAS. Our results suggest that emodin should have a potential to serve as a fat-reducing drug.</p>