Ginkgolide C, isolated from Ginkgo

Ginkgolide C, isolated from Ginkgo biloba leaves, is a diterpene lactone derivative [corrected] reported to have multiplebiological functions, from decreased platelet aggregation to ameliorating Alzheimer disease. The study aim was toevaluate the antiadipogenic effect of ginkgolide C in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Ginkgolide C was used to treat differentiated3T3-L1 cells. Cell supernatant was collected to assay glycerol release, and cells were lysed to measure protein andgene expression related to adipogenesis and lipolysis by western blot and real-time PCR, respectively. Ginkgolide Csignificantly suppressed lipid accumulation in differentiated adipocytes. It also decreased adipogenesis-relatedtranscription factor expression, including peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor and CCAAT/enhancer-bindingprotein. Furthermore, ginkgolide C enhanced adipose triglyceride lipase and hormone-sensitive lipase production forlipolysis and increased phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), resulting in decreased activity ofacetyl-CoA carboxylase for fatty acid synthesis. In coculture with an AMPK inhibitor (compound C), ginkgolide C alsoimproved activation of sirtuin 1 and phosphorylation of AMPK in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells. The results suggest thatginkgolide C is an effective flavone for increasing lipolysis and inhibiting adipogenesis in adipocytes through theactivated AMPK pathway.