The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of water‑extracted plum (WEP) on adipocyte differentiation, adipogenesis and inflammation in differentiated 3T3‑L1 adipocyte cells. WEP was assessed for basic analyses, including high‑performance liquid chromatography, total phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant activity [1,1‑diphenyl‑2‑picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays] in vitro. Moreover, the cell viability was measured using an MTT assay. Adipogenesis and lipid accumulation in 3T3‑L1 adipocytes was investigated using Oil Red O staining, and the expression of genes and proteins associated with adipogenesis and lipolysis were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. In addition, sulforaphane using a positive control was performed simultaneously. The WEP significantly suppressed adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation in differentiated adipocytes without cytotoxicity. WEP resulted in direct anti‑obesity effects through the modulation of adenosine monophosphate‑activated protein kinase, sterol regulatory element‑binding protein 1c, cytidine‑cytidine‑adenosine‑adenosine‑thymidine/enhancer binding protein α and peroxisome proliferator‑activated receptor γ. These regulations of molecular expressions were significantly activated via the phosphoinositide 3‑kinase/Akt pathway. Moreover, these results provide potential anti‑adipogenic effects of WEP and may have potential as a natural agent for the prevention and improvement of obesity.

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