Anti-obesity potential of sparalide b isolated from Sparassis crispa via activating lipolysis in 3T3-L1 cells

Obesity is a global health concern and a major risk factor for metabolic syndromes such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and fatty liver [ 1 ]. With increasing awareness of the adverse effects of current pharmacological therapies, demand for safe and natural anti-obesity agents has grown. In this study, we evaluated the anti-obesity potential of Sparassis crispa , an edible and medicinal mushroom known for its immunomodulatory properties, with a particular focus on its bioactive compound, Sparalide B [ 2 ]. A 30% ethanol extract of S. crispa significantly inhibited lipid accumulation and adipocyte differentiation in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte cells. The extract showed superior activity compared to Cissus extract (CQR-300), a well-known functional ingredient for fat reduction. Sparalide B was successfully isolated through ethyl acetate fractionation, column chromatography, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Its chemical structure was identified using ESI-MS, 1 H-NMR, and 13 C-NMR spectroscopic techniques. Mechanistically, Sparalide B suppressed the expression of major adipogenic transcription factors, PPARγ and C/EBPα, while activating the β-catenin signaling pathway. Additionally, it downregulated perilipin-1, a lipid-droplet coating protein, thereby promoting lipolysis and reducing intracellular lipid stability. Importantly, the compound exhibited no cytotoxicity at effective doses, indicating its safety for potential therapeutic use. These findings suggest that Sparalide B from S. crispa is a promising candidate for development as a functional food ingredient pharmaceutical agent targeting obesity. Publication History Article published online: 05 March 2026 © 2026. Thieme. All rights reserved. Georg Thieme Verlag KG Oswald-Hesse-Straße 50, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany