Acorn (Quercus acutissima CARR.) is a nut from the Fagaceae family that has been used in traditional medicine for many years. However, shells from acorns are regarded as a by-product and are mostly discarded. Anti-adipogenic activities of acorn shells were investigated using 3T3-L1 cells and methanol shell extracts (AE-M). AE-M demonstrated Cu2+-chelation activities and anti-oxidant activities via reduction of oxidative stress levels induced using AAPH. Six days after adipocyte differentiation, 50 and 100 μg/mL AE-M completely suppressed 3T3-L1 adipogenesis and the anti-adipogenic effect was stronger than for the positive control 50 μM quercetin. Treatment with AE-M in 3T3-L1 cells reduced mRNA expression levels of adipogenic genes. AE-M-inhibition was found in pre-adipogenic, early, and intermediate stages of adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is required for AE-M-inhibition of 3T3-L1 adipogenesis.
Keywords: acorn shell; adipogenesis; anti-oxidant; obesity; wnt signaling.