2,4,5-TMBA, a natural inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2, suppresses adipogenesis and promotes lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Obesity is a global health problem. Because of the high costs and side effects of obesity-treatment drugs, the potential of Natural Products as alternatives for treating obesity is under exploration. 2,4,5-Trimethoxybenzaldehyde (2,4,5-TMBA) present in plant roots, seeds, and leaves was reported to be a significant inhibitor of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity at the concentration of 100 μg/mL. Because COX-2 is associated with differentiation of preadipocytes, the murine 3T3-L1 cells were cultured with 100 μg/mL of 2,4,5-TMBA during differentiation and after the cells were fully differentiated to study the effect of 2,4,5-TMBA on adipogenesis and lipolysis. Oil Red O staining and triglyceride assay revealed that 2,4,5-TMBA inhibited the formation of lipid droplets during differentiation; moreover, 2,4,5-TMBA down-regulated the protein levels of adipogenic signaling molecules and transcription factors MAP kinase kinase (MEK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)α, β, and δ, Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor (PPAR)γ, adipocyte determination and differentiation-dependent factor 1 (ADD1), and the rate-limiting Enzyme for lipid synthesis Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase (ACC). In fully differentiated adipocytes, treatment with 2,4,5-TMBA for 72 h significantly decreased lipid accumulation by increasing the hydrolysis of triglyceride through suppression of perilipin A (lipid droplet coating protein) and up-regulation of hormone-sensitive Lipase (HSL). The results of this in vitro study will pioneer future in vivo studies on antiobesity effects of 2,4,5-TMBA and selective COX-2 inhibitors.