Chlorogenic Acid Decreases Lipid Accumulation in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes by Modulating the Transcription Factors

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of chlorogenic acid (CA) on 3T3-L1 adipocytes and its mechanism action. CA at 1-25 μM showed no cytotoxicity to 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. CA significantly inhibited oil red O-stained material (OROSM) and intracellular triglyceride levels in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, CA down-regulated the glycerol-3–phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) and peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ (PPARγ) activity. A real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that CA inhibited the PPARγ, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), sterol regulatory element binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), and fatty acid synthase (FAS) gene expression, which may in part account for anti-adipogenesis of CA. Thus, CA could act as a potential lipid lowering functional resource.