Cimifugin inhibits adipogenesis and TNF-α-induced insulin resistance in 3T3-L1 cells

To investigate the effects of cimifugin on adipogenesis and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α)-induced insulin resistance (IR) and inflammation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with 3-isobutyl-1-methyl-xanthine, dexamethasone, and insulin or cimifugin and then Oil Red O staining and intracellular triglyceride content detection were performed to assess adipogenesis. Subsequently, after cimifugin treatment, TNF-α was used to induce IR and inflammation. The results showed that cimifugin reduced intracellular lipids accumulation of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Cimifugin improved IR of 3T3-L1 adipocytes induced by TNF-α, as reflected in decreased adiponectin, GLUT-4, and IRS-1 mRNA and protein expression. Moreover, cimifugin reduced TNF-α-induced pro-inflammatory factors production and phospho-P65 expression, and MAPK pathway activation in the 3T3-L1 adipocytes. These findings suggested that cimifugin might be useful for the prevention and therapy of obesity-related IR and inflammation.