Abstract
Propolis is a honeybee product with various biological activities, including antidiabetic effects. We previously reported that artepillin C, a prenylated cinnamic acid derivative isolated from Brazilian green propolis, acts as a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) ligand and promotes adipocyte differentiation. In this study, we examined the effect of baccharin, another major component of Brazilian green propolis, on adipocyte differentiation. The treatment of mouse 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with baccharin resulted in increased lipid accumulation, cellular triglyceride levels, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, and glucose uptake. The mRNA expression levels of PPARγ and its target genes were also increased by baccharin treatment. Furthermore, baccharin enhanced PPARγ-dependent luciferase activity, suggesting that baccharin promotes adipocyte differentiation via PPARγ activation. In diabetic ob/ob mice, intraperitoneal administration of 50 mg/kg baccharin significantly improved blood glucose levels. Our results suggest that baccharin has a hypoglycemic effect on glucose metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Highlights
Propolis is a sticky, resinous material that honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) collect from plants and mix with wax and other secretions to maintain hive temperatures and seal cracks in the hive [1]
3T3-L1acid preadipocytes treated zilian green propolis on adipocyte differentiation, 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were treated with baccharin, drupanin, or artepillin C (Figure 1) in the presence of insulin
Artepillin C, and drupanin are the main cinnamic acid derivatives found in Brazilian green propolis
Summary
Resinous material that honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) collect from plants and mix with wax and other secretions to maintain hive temperatures and seal cracks in the hive [1]. Propolis has a complex composition that includes beeswax, resin, and volatile compounds as main constituents [7]. The biological activity of propolis is attributed to plant-derived substances. Baccharis dracunculifolia is the main botanical source of Brazilian green propolis, which characteristically contains cinnamic acid derivatives, such as p-coumaric acid, baccharin, drupanin, and artepillin C [8,9]. The worldwide prevalence of type 2 diabetes is increasing annually [10,11].
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