Dehydroleucodine (DhL) is a sesquiterpene lactone of the guaianolide group with gastric citoprotective activity. Recent studies have also demonstrated that DhL inhibits the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. In this study we examined the effect of DhL in the differentiation 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The addition of DhL significantly inhibited the differentiation 3T3-L1 preadipocytes along with significant decrease in the accumulation of lipid content by a dramatic down regulation of the expression of adipogenic-specific transcriptional factors PPARγ and C-EBPα. However, phosphorylation of AMPKα, Erk1/2 and Akt1 was not inhibited by DhL treatment. Interestingly, we also found that 11,13-dihydro-dehydroleucodine, a derivative of DhL with inactivated α-methylene-γ-lactone function, also inhibited the differentiation 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Taken together, these data suggest DhL has an important inhibitory effect in cellular pathways regulating adipocyte differentiation by modulating the PPARγ expression, which is known to play a pivotal role during adipogenesis.

The fruits of saw palmetto have been used for the treatment of a variety of urinary and reproductive system problems. In this study we investigated whether the fruit extracts affect in vitro adipogenesis. Saw palmetto ethanol extract inhibited the lipid droplet accumulation by induction media in a dose-dependent manner, and it also attenuated the protein expressions of C-EBPα and PPARγ. Phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and Akt1 were also decreased by saw palmetto ethanol extract. This report suggests that saw palmetto extracts selectively affect the adipocyte differentiation through the modulation of several key factors that play a critical role during adipogenesis.