AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and sterol regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)‑1c are major therapeutic targets in the treatment of metabolic diseases. In the present study, the fat‑reducing mechanisms of berberine (BBR), a natural isoquinoline, was investigated by examining the AMPK‑mediated modulation of SREBP‑1c in 3T3‑L1 adipocytes. BBR activated AMPK in a dose‑ and time‑dependent manner, and increased the phosphorylation of the 125‑kDa precursor form of SREBP‑1c, which suppressed its proteolytic processing into the mature 68‑kDa form and its subsequent nuclear translocation. The binding of nuclear SREBP‑1c to its E‑box motif‑containing target DNA sequence was decreased following treatment with BBR, which led to a decrease in the expression of lipogenic genes and subsequently reduced intracellular fat accumulation. Transfection with AMPKα1 siRNA, and not control siRNA, inhibited BBR‑induced phosphorylation of the 125‑kDa SREBP‑1c, which confirmed that AMPK was responsible for phosphorylating SREBP‑1c. AMPKα1 siRNA transfection rescued the proteolytic processing, nuclear translocation and target DNA binding of SREBP‑1c that had been suppressed by BBR. In addition, BBR‑induced suppression of lipogenic gene expression and intracellular fat accumulation were rescued by AMPKα1 siRNA transfection. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrate that BBR activates AMPK to induce phosphorylation of SREBP‑1c, thereby suppressing proteolytic processing, nuclear translocation and target DNA binding of SREBP‑1c, which leads to a reduction in lipogenic gene expression and intracellular fat accumulation. The results of the present study indicate that BBR may be a potential candidate for the development of drugs to treat obesity.