RESUMO
Asimina triloba (pawpaw) contains various bioactive alkaloids and acetogenins. In the present study, the effects of pawpaw seed extract (PSE) on adipocyte differentiation and fat accumulation were investigated in 3T3-L1 cells under different glucose conditions. Treatment of undifferentiated cells with 10 ng/mL PSE increased lactic acid production, suggesting enhanced anaerobic glycolysis. PSE treatment also suppressed cell proliferation and decreased the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)+/NADH ratio in low-glucose medium; however, this effect was not observed in high-glucose medium. Additionally, PSE treatment under low-glucose conditions resulted in reduced accumulation of triglycerides and decreased expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ, CAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP)-α, and sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-1c in adipocyte-differentiated cells. PSE exerted greater effects on adipocyte differentiation and triglyceride content in 3T3-L1 cells under low-glucose conditions than under high-glucose conditions. These findings indicate that PSE enhances anaerobic glycolysis and inhibits adipocyte differentiation and fat accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells under glucose-restricted conditions.
