Anti-Adipogenic Effects of Unripe Green Banana Flour Extracts (Musa abb cv. Kluai “namwa”) in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

Abstract This study aimed to investigate anti-adipogenesis effects of unripe banana (Musa abb cv. Kluai “namwa”) flour which were extracted by organic solvents (methanol, ethanol, hexane) and distilled water in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in vitro. Adipocytes were treated by all extracts for 7 to 12 days from the starting of adipocyte differentiation. Caffeine, anti-adipogenic bioactive compound, was used as a positive control. After treatments, intracellular lipid contents were measured by Oil Red O staining and triglyceride assay kit, respectively. The underlying mechanisms were examined by measuring changes of mRNA expression level of adipogenesis-related genes using RT-PCR technique. The results showed that the methanolic, ethanolic and hexane extracts significantly decreased (P<0.05) lipid contents in 3T3-L1 adipocytes after 7 days of incubation in a dose-dependent manner while the water extract had a significant effect after a 12-day treatment. In addition, the expression level of genes involved in adipogenesis and lipid synthesis (PPARγ, SREBP-1c, FAS) was significantly decreased (P<0.05) in all treatment groups in accordance with the lipid contents. The present study suggests that the capability of unripe banana green flour extracts on lowering lipid accumulation in adipocytes in vitro may have further implication in in vivo anti-obesity effects. Moreover, green banana flour may be a potential ingredient for beneficial health diets. Keywords: Musa abb cv. Kluai “namwa”, unripe green banana flour, 3T3-L1 adipocytes, adipogenesis