Umbelliferone increases the expression of adipocyte-specific genes in 3 T3-L1 adipocyte

Umbelliferone (UMB), a natural product of coumarin family, has been shown to reduce blood glucose and to improve lipid profiles in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Our objective was to examine the effect of UMB on adipogenesis by investigating its stimulatory effect on lipid accumulation and mRNA expression of adipogenic transcription factors and adipocyte-specific genes in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte culture.An Oil Red Ostaining was used to monitor lipid accumulation, and we found that UMB treatment at concentration range of 10-100μMsignificantly increased lipid accumulation of differentiating 3T3-L1 cells.At the molecular level of adipogenesis, we examined themRNA expression of adipogenic transcription factors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α, and sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c. Those transcription factors were increased by UMB at 10-100/μM. Interestingly, UMB also stimulated the mRNA expression of adipocyte-specific genes, adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein, lipoprotein lipase, fatty acid synthase, fatty acid translocase, and adiponectin. Our findings indicate that the stimulatory effect of UMB on adipocyte differentiation likely occurs through up-regulation of adipogenic transcription factors and downstream adipocyte-specific gene expression.