Suppression of adipogenesis and obesity in high-fat induced mouse model by hydroxylated polymethoxyflavones

This study demonstrated that hydroxylated polymethoxyflavones (HPMFs) effectively and dose-dependently suppressed accumulation of lipid droplets in adipocytes by approximately 51-55%. Western blot analysis revealed that HPMFs markedly down-regulated adipogenesis-related transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ and sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP)-1c as well as downstream target fatty acid binding protein 2 (aP2), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). In addition, HPMFs also activated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In the early phase of adipogenesis, HPMF-treated preadipocytes displayed a delayed cell cycle entry into G₂/M phase at 24 h (35.5% for DMI group and 4.8% for 20 μg/mL HPMFs-treated group) after initiation of adipogenesis. Furthermore, administration of HPMFs (0.25 and 1%) decreased high-fat diet (HFD) induced weight gain (15.3 ± 3.9 g for HFD group, 10.3 ± 0.3 g and 7.9 ± 0.7 g for 0.25 and 1% HPMFs groups, respectively) and relative perigonadal, retroperitoneal, mesenteric fat weight in C57BL/6 mice. Administration of HPMFs reduced serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase (GOT), alanine aminotransferase (GPT), triglycerides (TG), and total cholesterol (T-cho). The results suggested that HPMFs may have a potential benefit in preventing obesity.