Mol Nutr Food Res. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2018 May 11.

Gingerenone A, a polyphenol present in ginger, suppresses obesity and adipose tissue inflammation in high-fat diet-fed mice

Sujin Suk,¹ Gyoo Taik Kwon,² Eunjung Lee,¹ Woo Jung Jang,¹ Hee Yang,¹ Jong Hun Kim,³ N. R. Thimmegowda,^4,** Min-Yu Chung,¹ Jung Yeon Kwon,⁵ Seunghee Yang,¹ Jason K. Kim,^1,5 Jung Han Yoon Park,^2,3,* and Ki Won Lee^1,3

Abstract

Scope

Ginger exerts protective effects on obesity and its complications. Our objectives here are to identify bioactive compounds that inhibit adipogenesis and lipid accumulation in vitro, elucidate the anti-obesity effect of gingerenone A (GA) in diet-induced obesity (DIO), and investigate whether GA affects adipose tissue inflammation (ATI).

Methods and results

Oil red O staining showed that GA had the most potent inhibitory effect on adipogenesis and lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells among ginger components tested at a single concentration (40 μM). Consistent with in vitro data, GA attenuates DIO by reducing fat mass in mice. This was accompanied by a modulation of fatty acid metabolism via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, GA suppressed ATI by inhibiting macrophage recruitment and downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Conclusion

These results suggest that GA may be used as a potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of obesity and its complications by suppressing adipose expansion and inflammation.