Loliolide from Artemisia princeps Suppresses Adipogenesis in Human Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells via Activation of AMPK and Wnt/β-catenin Pathways

Featured Application Loliolide has potential to be used as a functional food ingredient with anti-obesity properties. Regulating the adipogenic differentiation mechanism is a valid and promising mechanism to battle obesity. Natural products, especially phytochemicals as nutraceuticals, are important lead molecules with significant activities against obesity. Loliolide is a monoterpenoid hydroxyl lactone found in many dietary plants. The effect of loliolide on adipogenic differentiation is yet to be determined. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate its anti-adipogenic potential using human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hBM-MSCs) and assess its mechanism of action. Adipo-induced hBM-MSCs were treated with or without loliolide and their adipogenic characteristics were examined. Loliolide treatment decreased the lipid accumulation and expression of adipogenic transcription factors, PPAR gamma, C/EBP alpha, and SREBP1c. Adipo-induced hBM-MSCs also displayed increased AMPK phosphorylation and suppressed MAPK activation following loliolide treatment according to immunoblotting results. Importantly, loliolide could stimulate Wnt10b expression and active beta-catenin translocation to exert PPAR gamma-linked adipogenesis suppression. In conclusion, loliolide was suggested to be a potential anti-adipogenic agent which may be utilized as a lead compound for obesity treatment or prevention.