β-Catenin mediates the anti-adipogenic effect of baicalin

β-Catenin reportedly inhibits adipogenesis through the down-regulations of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)α. We report that baicalin, a natural flavonoid compound, inhibits adipogenesis by modulating β-Catenin. During 3T3-L1 cell adipogenesis, β-Catenin was down-regulated, but baicalin treatment maintained β-Catenin expression. Anti-adipogenic effects of baicalin were significantly attenuated by β-Catenin siRNA transfection. β-Catenin siRNA rescued the reduced expressions of PPARγ, C/EBPα, fatty acid binding protein 4 and lipoprotein lipase by baicalin. Furthermore, baicalin modulated members of the WNT/β-Catenin pathway by maintaining the expressions of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6, disheveled (DVL)2 and DVL3. These findings suggest that β-Catenin mediates the anti-adipogenic effects of baicalin.

Research highlights
► Baicalin maintains the levels of β-Catenin during adipogenesis.
► β-Catenin mediates the anti-adipogenic effect of baicalin.
► Baicalin maintains the WNT/β-Catenin pathway during adipogenesis.