Apios americana Medik flower extract protects high-glucose-treated hepatocytes and Caenorhabditis elegans

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic metabolic disease related to glucose metabolism disorders. Increasing evidences indicate that flavonoids obtained from plants have beneficial effects on T2D. Apios americana Medik, originally cultivated in North America, is rich in flavonoids. In this study, A. americana flower extract (AFE) was purified and flavonoids were identified. The beneficial effects of AFE on glucose metabolism disorders were investigated. Results showed that AFE protected hepatic cells from oxidative stress caused by hyperglycemia and increased glucose consumption and glucose uptake. The AKT pathway was involved in AFE-mediated hypoglycemic action in LO2 cells, accompanied by phosphorylation of FoxO1, Gsk-3β and AMPK. In vivo, AFE protected Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) from oxidative stress under hyperglycemia and restored the expressions of PMK-1 and SKN-1. Furthermore, AFE decreased excessive glucose and lipid accumulation and extended the lifespans of high glucose (HG) treated C. elegans. AFE might be beneficial to decrease glucose metabolism disorders and T2D.