Background The availability of characterized human adipocyte cell models for in vitro studies is currently limited. They may be useful to better understand the role of dysfunctional adipocytes in the pathophysiology of cardio-metabolic diseases and to evaluate the metabolic effects of nutraceutical compounds. In this study, human liposarcoma SW 872 cells, both non-differentiated and differentiated for 7 days with 100 microM oleic acid, have been used as the model system to 1. characterize these cells, concerning metabolic, pro-inflammatory and morphologic features, and 2. begin to evaluate the “healthy” effects of some plant-derived nutraceutical compounds. Methods In SW 872 cells, we evaluated the accumulation of triglycerides, the glucose uptake, the pro-inflammatory cytokine release and the modulation of Akt protein phosphorylation (pAkt), highlighting the differences between differentiated and non-differentiated cells. Results Oleic acid-differentiated SW 872 cells have a higher triglyceride content (p<0.001) than non-differentiated cells, a lower glucose uptake (p<0.001), but a higher insulin response (p<0.05), and a specific activation of the Akt pathway. This cell model has been then chosen for the preliminary evaluation of the effects of some phytochemical complexes on the modulation of these molecular parameters, observing, in some instances, promising effects on reduction of triglyceride content and pro-inflammatory cytokine release as well as on increased glucose uptake. Conclusion Our study suggests that the SW 872 cell model could be useful for studies regarding human adipocyte function and dysfunction and the effects of bioactive compounds on dysfunctional adipose tissue, which will be addressed in future research.