1,3,5,8-Tetrahydroxyxanthone suppressed adipogenesis via activating Hedgehog signaling in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

In this study, we investigated the effect of 1,3,5,8-tetrahydroxyxanthone (THX) on the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. THX, a xanthone isolated from Gentianella acuta, inhibited lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes and reduced the protein levels of the key adipogenic transcriptional factors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α (C/EBPα), in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, THX enhanced the transcriptional activity of Gli1 known as the key indicator of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling activity and increased the expression of Gli1 and its upstream regulator Smo. The Smo activator SAG exerted the similar effect with THX on regulating Gli1, Smo, PPARγ and C/EBPα expression, which led to the suppression of fat formation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Furthermore, we found that the inhibitory effect of THX on adipogenesis was derived from regulation of the early stage of adipogenesis. These results suggest that THX suppresses the differentiation of adipocyte through Hh signaling and may be considered as a potent agent for the prevention of obesity.