title: Matrine inhibits 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation associated with suppression of ERK1/2 phosphorylation.
abstract: In this study, we examined whether matrine could inhibit the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and further explored the possible inhibitory mechanisms. Evidenced by Oil Red O staining and AdipoRed assay, matrine dose-dependently inhibited lipid accumulation at concentrations of 125, 250 and 500 microg/ml. At molecular level, the expression of transcription factors, PPARgamma and C/EBPalpha, was reduced by matrine during adipogenesis. After treatment for 6 days, the mRNA levels of adipocyte-specific genes, such as aP2, LPL, adiponectin and leptin, were also down-regulated by matrine in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, 500 microg/ml matrine inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 at the early stage of differentiation. Our results indicate that inhibition of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation by matrine is associated with the suppression of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Thus, matrine has the potential to be an alternative natural product for the treatment of obesity.
authors.affiliation: The Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Chinese Ministry of Education and Chinese Ministry of Public Health, Shandong University, PR China.
authors.forename: Yifan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xing
authors.forename: Fangfang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yunfang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yuxia
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D041721:3T3-L1 Cells; D017667:Adipocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology; D050156:Adipogenesis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D052242:Adiponectin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics; D000470:Alkaloids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020738:Leptin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D008071:Lipoprotein Lipase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011807:Quinolizines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000093842:Matrines
chemical_list: D052242:Adiponectin; D000470:Alkaloids; C493411:Fabp4 protein, mouse; D050556:Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D020738:Leptin; D011807:Quinolizines; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D008071:Lipoprotein Lipase; D000093842:Matrines