Xanthigen^® Suppresses Preadipocyte Differentiation and Adipogenesis

Xanthigen^® Suppresses Preadipocyte Differentiation and Adipogenesis through Down-regulation of PPARγ and C/EBPs and Modulation of SIRT-1, AMPK, and FoxO Pathways

Lai, Ching-Shu & Tsai, Mei-Ling & Badmaev, Vladimir & Jimenez, Miguel & Ho, Chi-Tang & Pan, Min-Hsiung.

(2012) JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY. 60. 1094-101. 10.1021/jf204862d.

ABSTRACT

Xanthigen is a source of punicic acid and fucoxanthin derived from pomegranate seed and brown seaweed, respectively with recognized triacylglycerol-lowering effects in humans, yet the mechanism remains to be fully elucidated. The present study investigated the inhibitory effects of Xanthigen, fucoxanthin, and punicic acid (70% in pomegranate seed oil) on the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Xanthigen potently and dose-dependently suppressed accumulation of lipid droplets in adipocytes compared to its individual components, fucoxanthin and pomegranate seed oil. Western blot analysis revealed that Xanthigen markedly down-regulated the protein levels of key adipogenesis transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ,  CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)  β,  and C/EBPδ  as well as a key enzyme involved in adipogenesis,  fatty acid synthase (FAS). Xanthigen up-regulated the NAD+-dependent histone deacetylases (SIRT1) and activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In addition, Xanthigen may also stimulate insulin trigger signaling and result in Akt-dependent phosphorylation of forkhead/winged helix O (FoxO)1 and FoxO3a. These results indicate that Xanthigen suppresses adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation through multiple mechanisms and may have applications for the treatment of obesity.