Anti-adipocyte Differentiation Activity and Chemical Composition of Essential Oil from Artemisia annua

Arteinisia annua L. essential oil (AAEO) has diverse properties including antibacterial, antioxidant, antinociceptive, and antimicrobial activities. However, the effect of AAEO on obesity remains to be investigated. In this study, we analyzed the compounds of AAEO and explored the effect of AAEO on the differentiation of preadipocyte into adipocyte using preadipocyte cell line 3T3-L1. Total yield of AAEO from 20 kg A. annua leaf and flower was 0.5%, v/w. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis showed that AAEO contained 34 compounds. 3T3-LI cells incubated in 3-isobutyl-l-methylxanthine / dexamethasone / insulin (MDI)-containing medium showed increased accumulation of lipid droplets. This increased response was suppressed by treatment with AAEO. Expressions of obesity-related proteins (PPARγ, C/EBPα, SREBP-1c, FAS, and ACC) were increased in 3T3-LI cells cultured in MDI medium and these responses were decreased by treatment with AAEO. These findings demonstrate that AAEO may suppress 3T3-LI cell differentiation by inhibiting adipogenesis and activation of lipid metabolism-related proteins.