Eurycomanone (1) and 13β,21-epoxyeurycomanone (2) were isolated from Eurycoma longifolia for studies of lipolytic activity. Compound 1 enhanced lipolysis in adipocytes with an EC of 14.6μM, while its epoxy derivate, compound 2, had a stronger activity with an EC of 8.6μM. Based on molecular mechanistic study using several specific inhibitors to lipolytic signaling pathways, it was found that PKA inhibitor totally diminished the lipolytic activity of 1 and 2. Further immunoblotting analysis confirmed the activation of phosphorylated PKA by both 1 and 2. With the growing need to develop new anti-obesity agents, eurycomanone and its epoxy derivate can be used as promising lead compounds to target lipid catabolism.

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