Pinostrobin: An Adipogenic Suppressor from Fingerroot (Boesenbergia rotunda) and Its Possible Mechanisms

Obesity is a critical factor for chronic metabolic syndromes. The culinary plant fingerroot (Boesenbergia rotunda) has been reported for its anti-obesity activity. The anti-adipogenic effects of pandurantin A, a main component of fingerroot cultivated in Indonesia, have been studied. Nevertheless, the suppressive effect and related mechanisms of pinostrobin, a major constituent of Thai fingerroot, on adipogenesis have never been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of pinostrobin to inhibit adipocyte differentiation. Culturing pre-adipocytes from both mouse (3T3-L1) and human (PCS-210-010) with pinostrobin at non-toxic concentrations (5-20 mu M) for 48 h obviously hindered their differentiation into mature adipocyte as evidenced by reduced cellular lipid droplets. The lower levels of lipid metabolism-mediating proteins, namely C/EBP alpha, PPAR gamma, and SREBP-1c, as well as cellular triglyceride content were demonstrated in pinostrobin-treated 3T3-L1 cells when compared to the untreated control group. Additionally, pinostrobin modulated the signals of MAPK (p38 and JNK) and Akt (Akt/GSK3 beta, Akt/AMPK alpha-ACC). These findings suggest the benefit of fingerroot as a source of phytopharmaceuticals for obesity prevention and management, with pinostrobin as the active principle.