Idesolide inhibits the adipogenic differentiation of mesenchymal cells through the suppression of nitric oxide production

Obesity is a major health problem worldwide and can increase the risk for several chronic diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In this study, we screened small compounds isolated from natural products for the development of an anti-obesity drug. Among them, idesolide, a spiro compound isolated from the fruits of Idesia polycarpa Maxim, showed a significant suppression of the adipogenic differentiation in mesenchymal cells, as indicated by the decrease in fat droplets and expression of adipogenic marker genes such as aP2 and adiponectin. Idesolide inhibits the PPARγ-mediated gene transcription in a dose-dependent manner, revealed by luciferase reporter gene assay. During adipogenic differentiation, idesolide inhibits nitric oxide production through the suppression of iNOS expression, and the increased adipogenic differentiation by arginine, the substrate for NOS, is significantly inhibited by idesolide, suggesting that the inhibition of nitric oxide production plays a major role in idesolide-induced adipogenic suppression. Taken together, the results reveal that idesolide has anti-adipogenic activity and highlight its potential in the prevention and treatment of obesity.