Sesquiterpenoid Derivatives Having Adipocyte Differentiation Inhibitory Effect

Abstract

The objective of the present invention is to identify compounds having an inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation, and to provide pharmaceutical compositions and food compositions for prevention, improvement, or treatment of obesity or obesity related diseases. By enthusiastically studying natural products that inhibit the differentiation induction of adipocyte precursors into adipocytes, sesquiterpenoid derivatives, which are extracts from a Compositae plant, Calea , growing in Central and South America, were demonstrated to have an excellent inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation induction. Calea extract or the sesquiterpenoid derivatives are expected to be used in pharmaceutical compositions and food compositions for prevention, improvement, or treatment of obesity or obesity related diseases.

1 . A method for the prevention, improvement, or treatment of obesity, or an obesity related disease, wherein said method comprises administering, to a patient in need of such prevention, improvement, or treatment, an effective amount of one or more of the following:
 a) a  Calea  extract having an inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation; and   b) a sesquiterpenoid derivative having an inhibitory effect on adipocyte differentiation.   
     
     
         2 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of heart disease, vascular disorders, diabetes, gout, hyperlipemia, fatty liver, gallstone, pancreatitis, osteoarthritis, and hernia. 
     
     
         3 . The method, according to  claim 1 , wherein said  Calea  is selected from the group consisting of  Calea urticifolia, Calea pinnatifida, Calea uniflora, Calea axillaris, Calea insignis, Calea integrifolia, Calea nelsonii, Calea peduncularis, Calea pringlei, Calea purpusii, Calea sabazioides, Calea savannamm, Calea scabra, Calea sororia, Calea standleyi, Calea tejadae , and  Calea zacatechichi.    
     
     
         4 . The method, according to  claim 1 , which comprises administering a compound having any one of structural formulae (1) to (7):