Effects of Kampo formulas which have been long
used clinically for obese patients remain unclear at
the cellular level. The objective of this study is to
investigate the effects of 8 commonly-used Kampos
on the differentiation and proinflammatory cytokines
expression of 3T3-L1 cells. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes
were induced differentiation being treated with test
8 Kampos through the induction period. Oil red O
staining and mRNAs expressions of peroxisome proliferator-
active receptor-γ （PPARγ） and adiponectin
were examined to evaluate effects of the Kampos
on the differentiation. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha
（TNF-α）, interleukin-6, and monocyte chemoattractant
protein-1 （MCP-1） mRNAs were examined to
investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of the Kampos.
PPARγ and/or adiponectin, as well as MCP-1
and/or TNF-α mRNAs were significantly decreased
by Boiogito and a few other Kampos when compared
with the control. These results at the cellular
level are compatible with the clinical beneficial effects
of these Kampos.