β-Catenin mediates the anti-adipogenic effect of baicalin

beta-Catenin reportedly inhibits adipogenesis through the down-regulations of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)gamma and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP)alpha. We report that baicalin, a natural flavonoid compound, inhibits adipogenesis by modulating beta-Catenin. During 3T3-L1 cell adipogenesis, beta-Catenin was down-regulated, but baicalin treatment maintained beta-Catenin expression. Anti-adipogenic effects of baicalin were significantly attenuated by beta-Catenin siRNA transfection. beta-Catenin siRNA rescued the reduced expressions of PPARgamma, C/EBPalpha, fatty acid binding protein 4 and lipoprotein lipase by baicalin. Furthermore, baicalin modulated members of the WNT/beta-Catenin pathway by maintaining the expressions of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6, disheveled (DVL)2 and DVL3. These findings suggest that beta-Catenin mediates the anti-adipogenic effects of baicalin.