Inhibition of Lipid Synthesis of Bacteria, Yeast and Animal Cells by Anacardic Acids, Glycerol-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase Inhibitors from Ginkgo

Abstract

The effects of anacardic acids (Ana), glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH) inhibitors from ginkgo, on growth and lipid synthesis ofBacillus subtilis, Lipomyces starkeyiand 3T3-L1 cells were examined. Ana inhibited growth ofB. subtilis, and the inhibition was reversed by phosphatidic acid or monoacylglycerol. Ana-a (100 μg/mL) inhibited lipid accumulation inL. starkeyi, but not growth, when it was added after 40 h of incubation. Ana did not inhibit the adipose conversion of 3T3-L1 cells, as their inhibitory activity against GPDH of the cells was weak. © 1997 Academic Press Limited.