title: The roots of Atractylodes japonica Koidzumi promote adipogenic differentiation via activation of the insulin signaling pathway in 3T3-L1 cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a complex metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) is a key transcription factor and plays an important role in the regulation of genes involved in adipogenic differentiation, glucose metabolism and insulin signal transduction.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, the effects of the root extract of Atractylodes japonica Koidzumi (Atractylodis Rhizoma Alba, ARA) on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and the possible mechanism of glucose transport were investigated. 3T3-L1 cells were cultured with insulin and ARA extract.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 3T3-L1 cells, ARA extract significantly enhanced adipogenic differentiation and upregulated the expression of PPARγ genes and protein in a dose-dependent manner. ARA also promoted glucose transport by increasing the glucose transporter 4 (GLUT-4), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and insulin receptor substrates-1 (IRS-1) levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest that ARA extract may be an attractive therapeutic agent for managing T2D via promoting the differentiation of adipocytes with the upregulation of PPARγ levels and the activation of the insulin signaling pathway.
authors.affiliation: Oriental Medicine R&D Center, Dongguk University, Gyeongju 780-714, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Yunkyung
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Hyo Won
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Yong-Ki
authors.initials: YK
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D041721:3T3-L1 Cells; D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D031174:Atractylodes / Q000737:chemistry*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D047495:PPAR gamma; D010936:Plant Extracts