Oldenlandia umbellata as a promising agent for obesity management: Enzyme inhibition and antiadipogenic effects

Abstract

Obesity is a major global health challenge associated with metabolic disorders and the need for effective interventions, particularly from natural sources. This study evaluated the metabolic enzyme inhibitory and anti-adipogenic potential of Diospyros ebenum and Oldenlandia umbellata ethanolic extracts using in vitro assays and a 3T3-L1 preadipocyte model. Both extracts exhibited inhibitory activity against α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and pancreatic lipase, with O. umbellata showing comparatively stronger inhibition particularly against α-glucosidase, and pancreatic lipase. Cytotoxicity assessment indicated no substantial cytotoxicity of the extracts toward Vero cells at concentrations ≤100 μg/mL under the tested conditions. Treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with O. umbellata extract significantly reduced intracellular lipid accumulation and triglyceride levels. Gene-expression analysis showed reduced PPARγ and FAS expression and increased adiponectin expression compared with differentiated controls, whereas SREBP-1c was not significantly altered and leptin showed modest increase. In silico ADME and toxicity analyses indicated favorable predicted pharmacokinetic and drug-likeness characteristics for several putatively identified phytoconstituents. Overall, the findings support the potential of O. umbellata as a source of bioactive compounds with enzyme inhibitory and anti-adipogenic activities. Further studies are required to identify the active constituents, elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, and validate these effects in appropriate in vivo models.