Abstract

Background: Obesity is a metabolic disorder characterized by excessive adipose tissue accumulation and dysregulated lipid metabolism. Altered adipocyte differentiation and lipid metabolism contribute to obesity development. Medicinal plants-derived compounds have gained increasing attention as potential modulators of adipocyte function. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of gymnemanol (Gymnema sylvestre-derived compound) on adipocyte viability, triglyceride accumulation, and gene expression in lipid metabolism, adipogenesis, and adipokine regulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Methods: 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated into mature adipocytes and treated with gymnemanol at non-cytotoxic concentrations determined by cell viability assay. Intracellular triglyceride content was quantified using a colorimetric assay. Gene expression analysis of lipogenic, adipogenic, lipolytic, and adipokine-related genes was performed. Results: Gymnemanol exhibited moderate cytotoxicity, and treatment significantly reduced intracellular triglyceride accumulation in a concentration-dependent manner. Gene expression analysis revealed lower lipogenic markers and differential modulation of adipogenic genes, with marked upregulation of Scd1 and altered expression of lipid droplet-associated genes. Lipolytic genes (Lipe, Lpl) were significantly increased, indicating enhanced lipid mobilization. Additionally, gymnemanol modulated adipokine expression, with relatively higher Adipoq levels compared to Lep and Ccl2, suggesting improved adipocyte metabolic signaling. Conclusion: Gymnemanol modulates adipocyte lipid metabolism by reducing triglyceride accumulation and altering the expression of genes involved in lipogenesis, lipolysis, adipogenesis, and adipokine signaling. These findings indicate a multi-target regulatory effect on adipocyte function. However, the study is limited to an in vitro model and mRNA-level analysis. Future work should include in vivo validation, protein-level confirmation, and mechanistic pathway studies to better define its therapeutic potential in obesity-related metabolic disorders.