Flavonol acylglycosides from flower of Albizia julibrissin and their inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells.

Obesity is a serious health problem worldwide. We investigated the anti-obesity effect of the flower of Albizia julibrissin DURAZZ. (Leguminosae). A 90% EtOH extract of the flower inhibited adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, as well as the activity of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) activity. New flavonol acylglycosides (1-4) and eighteen known compounds (5-22) were isolated by bioassay-directed fractionation. These new glycosides were elucidated to be 3″-(E)-p-coumaroylquercitrin (1), 3″-(E)-feruloylquercitrin (2), 3″-(E)-cinnamoylquercitrin (3), and 2″-(E)-cinnamoylquercitrin (4) on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical analysis. These compounds inhibited adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. In particular, 2 exhibited potent inhibitory effects on triglyceride accumulation. Furthermore, GPDH activity was inhibited by 2. Additionally, 2 inhibited glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These results indicate that the 90% EtOH extract and compounds isolated from the flower of A. julibrissin inhibit adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and may have anti-obesity effect through the inhibition of preadipocyte differentiation.