Obesity, a major metabolic disorder, is characterized by excessive lipid accumulation and adipocyte dysfunction, leading to insulin resistance and various metabolic complications. While current pharmacological treatments are effective, they often cause adverse effects. Hence, natural products with lipid-lowering and anti-adipogenic properties has gained growing interest. Parkia speciosa, a traditional Southeast Asian plant, has shown various bioactive effects, yet the anti-adipogenic potential of its pods remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of Parkia speciosa pod extract (PSPE) on adipogenesis and lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay, while lipid accumulation and triglyceride content were evaluated through Oil Red O staining and triglyceride assay, respectively.

MTT analysis showed that PSPE (31.25–250 µg/mL) maintained cell viability above 80%, indicating low cytotoxicity. Oil Red O staining revealed a significant reduction (~82%) in lipid accumulation in PSPE-treated cells compared to mature adipocytes (p < 0.05). Consistently, intracellular triglyceride levels were significantly reduced by 34.8% following PSPE treatment, confirming its inhibitory effect on adipogenesis.

Therefore, these findings suggest that the ethanolic extract of P. speciosa pods could serve as a promising alternatives beneficial in inhibiting adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and thereby, highlighting its potential as a natural agent for managing obesity-related metabolic disorders.