PPARγ transcription effect on naturally occurring O-prenyl cinnamaldehydes and cinnamyl alcohol derivatives.

Background: PPARγ is known to be a key regulator of metabolism and storage of lipids and glucose and to be implicated in the pathology of severe syndromes like obesity, diabetes, atherosclerosis and cancer. Methods: As a continuation of the authors' studies on oxyprenylated secondary metabolites as effective PPARγ agonists, the authors describe herein the chemical synthesis of natural O-prenyl cinnamaldehydes and cinnamyl alcohols and preliminary data on their in vitro effects on PPARγ transcription. Results: Among the panel of eight compounds tested, three - namely, (2E)-3-(4-((E)3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienyloxy)-3-methoxyphenyl)acrylaldehyde, (2E)-3-(4-((E)3,7-dimethylocta-2,6-dienyloxy)-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-en-1-ol and boropinal A - exerted activity in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: O-prenyl cinnamaldehydes and cinnamyl alcohols have the potential to effectively interact with PPARγ receptor.