Cerulenin is a widely used natural inhibitor of fatty acid synthase (FAS).

In primary rat aortic endothelial cells, the inhibitor of fatty acid synthase and HMG-CoA reductase, Cerulenin (5 μg/mL) and Lovastatin, are used before palmitic acid added. The mRNA expression of IL-1β, TNFα, VCAM-1 and IL-6 are reduced while NO production is recovered with inhibitor treatment[2].

In ob/ob mice, cerulenin effectively depletes fat content in the steatotic liver, which trigger a series of reactions: Decreased expression of PPARα and γ reduced UCP2 levels, increase liver ATP content, and reduce ROS production. Elevated intracellular ATP levels and reduced ROS ultimately improved liver function.

References：

[1]. Bitencourt T A, et al. Trans-chalcone and quercetin down-regulate fatty acid synthase gene expression and reduce ergosterol content in the human pathogenic dermatophyte Trichophyton rubrum. BMC Complement Altern Med, 2013, 13(1): 229.

[2]. Tian D, et al. Overexpression of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein in rat aortic endothelial cells attenuates palmitic acid-induced inflammation and reduction in nitric oxide bioavailability. Cardiovasc Diabetol, 2012, 11(1): 144.

[3]. Cheng G, et al. Cerulenin blockade of fatty acid synthase reverses hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice. PLoS One, 2013, 8(9): e75980.