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Planta Med 2019; 85(03): 210-216
DOI: 10.1055/a-0725-8334
Biological and Pharmacological Activity
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

2,6-Dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone Inhibits 3T3-L1 Adipocyte Differentiation via Regulation of AMPK and mTORC1

Hyo Jeong Son   *
1   Research Group of Natural Materials and Metabolism, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea
,
Young Jin Jang   *
1   Research Group of Natural Materials and Metabolism, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea
,
Chang Hwa Jung
1   Research Group of Natural Materials and Metabolism, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea
2   Division of Food Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
,
Jiyun Ahn
1   Research Group of Natural Materials and Metabolism, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea
2   Division of Food Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
,
Tae Youl Ha
1   Research Group of Natural Materials and Metabolism, Korea Food Research Institute, Wanju-gun, Republic of Korea
2   Division of Food Biotechnology, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 15 May 2018
revised 16 August 2018

accepted 21 August 2018

Publication Date:
10 September 2018 (online)

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Abstract

2,6-Dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone is a natural phytochemical present in fermented wheat germ. It has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antibacterial activities. However, the anti-adipogenic effects of 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone and the mechanisms responsible have not previously been elucidated. Such findings may have ramifications for the treatment of obesity. 2,6-Dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (5 and 7.5 µM) significantly reduced the expression of various adipogenic transcription factors, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein α as well as adipocyte protein 2 and fatty acid synthase. 2,6-Dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone upregulated AMP-dependent protein kinase phosphorylation and inhibited the mature form of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c. Notably, 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone attenuated mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 activity in 3T3-L1 and mouse embryonic fibroblast cells. These findings highlight a potential role for 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone in the suppression of adipogenesis. Further studies to determine the anti-obesity effects of 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone in animal models appear warranted.

Key words

2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (DMBQ) - adipogenesis - AMPK - mTORC1 - obesity

* These authors contributed equally to this work.


 

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