Dieckol, a phlorotannin isolated from a brown seaweed, Ecklonia cava, inhibits adipogenesis through AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes.

Highlights: [•] The Ecklonia cava extract tested herein evidenced profound adipogenesis inhibition. [•] The three polyphenol compounds of phlorotannins were isolated from E. cava. [•] Dieckol exhibited greatest potential adipogenesis inhibition. [•] Dieckol significantly reduced the expression of adipogenic-specific genes and proteins. [•] Dieckol inhibits adipogenesis by activating the AMPK pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]