Syringic acid (4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoic acid) inhibits adipogenesis and promotes lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Increase in adiposity is associated with obesity and obesity-related complications. Syringic acid (SA), a phenolic acid facilitates oxidation, polymerization, and condensation reactions, may function as an effective anti-adipogenic agent. This study examined whether SA inhibits adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes by inhibiting differentiation and controlling lipid accumulation. Ten days of SA treatment suppressed differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte to mature adipocytes in a concentration-dependent manner as determined by Oil Red O staining. Suppression of adipogenic differentiation by SA was primarily from inhibition of mitotic clonal expansion during the early stages of differentiation. Treatment of adipocytes with SA reduced triglyceride production (lipogenesis) and increased glycerol release (lipolysis). The addition of SA to the adipocytes attenuated in vitro ROS production. These results indicate that SA inhibits the adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, reduces lipid accumulation, and attenuates ROS accumulation, suggesting for the first time that SA has an anti-obesity effect in vitro.