title: Methyl cinnamate inhibits adipocyte differentiation via activation of the CaMKK2-AMPK pathway in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.
abstract: Methyl cinnamate, an active component of  Zanthoxylum armatum , is a widely used natural flavor compound with antimicrobial and tyrosinase inhibitor activities. However, the underlying bioactivity and molecular mechanisms of methyl cinnamate on adipocyte function and metabolism remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of methyl cinnamate on adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Methyl cinnamate markedly suppressed triglyceride accumulation associated with down-regulation of adipogenic transcription factor expression, including sterol regulatory element binding protein-1 (SREBP-1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα). Additionally, methyl cinnamate-inhibited PPARγ activity and adipocyte differentiation were partially reversed by the PPARγ agonist troglitazone. Furthermore, methyl cinnamate stimulated Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2 (CaMKK2) and phospho-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) expression during adipogenesis. This study first revealed methyl cinnamate has antiadipogenic activity through mechanisms mediated, in part, by the CaMKK2-AMPK signaling pathway in 3T3-L1 cells.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Yun-Yu
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Meng-Hwan
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chih-Chieh
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Chia-Li
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Ying-Chieh
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D041721:3T3-L1 Cells; D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D000818:Animals; D054737:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Kinase / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002934:Cinnamates / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D047495:PPAR gamma / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D002934:Cinnamates; D047495:PPAR gamma; C025385:methyl cinnamate; D054737:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Kinase; C517700:Camkk2 protein, mouse; D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases