OBJECTIVETo study the effects and mechanisms of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction (HJD) and its disassembled recipes containing serums on the proliferation and differentiation of preadipocytes.

METHODSHJD and its disassembled recipes containing serums were prepared. The 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured. The proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) method. The accumulation of lipid droplets in the cytoplasm of differentiated preadipocytes was observed by oil red O staining and quantitatively analyzed by colorimetry. The mRNA expressions of peroxisome proliferation activated receptor y (PPAR gamma) and CAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP alpha) were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSIntervention with serum containing HJD, Phellodendron amurense Rupr plus Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, or Gardenia jasminoides Ellis showed significantly stimulative effects on the proliferation of preadipocytes, as compared with that in the blank control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The preadipocytes treated with serum containing HJD, Phellodendron amurense Rupr plus Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, Coptis chinensis Franch or Gardenia jasminoides Ellis showed that the lipid droplets in the cytoplasm were significantly lessened, so did the mRNA expressions of PPAR gamma and C/EBP alpha when compared with the blank control group (P<0.05, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSHJD promoted the proliferation of preadipocytes, decreased the accumulation of lipid droplets during the differentiation of adipocytes, and inhibited the differentiation of adipocytes, which might be associated with its effects on decreasing the mRNA expressions of PPAR gamma and C/EBP alpha. Phellodendron amurense Rupr and Gardenia jasminoides Ellis were the main components of HJD playing these roles.