Insulin‐like activities of chalcone derivatives, xanthoangelol (XA) and 4‐hydroxyderricin (4HD), from a Japanese herb, Angelica keiskei : Induction of adipocyte differentiation and enhancement of glucose uptake in adipocyte

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that is characterized by hyperglycemia caused by insufficiency of the insulin action. If we could find out edible ingredients from food that can complement insulin action, it is ideal to prevent and ameliorate diabetes. So, we have explored various edible plants to find out substances with insulin-like activities: induction of adipocyte differentiation and enhancement of glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 preadipocyte and adipocyte cells. It was eventually confirmed that the extract of Angelica keiskei (“Ashitaba” in Japanese) contained two major chalcone compounds XA and 4HD specific to “Ashitaba” that showed strong insulin-like activities. These chalcones also showed ameliorative and preventive effects on diabetes in animal experiments with KK-Ay mice. It was also found that more chalcone fractions TB1-TB9 in A. keiskei extracts exerted similar activities. In consequence, several chalcones extracted from A. keiskei exerted these activities, and the structure-activity relationships of chalcone derivatives were elucidated. Our results suggest that chalcone derivatives may be leading compounds to the new type medicine for diabetes mellitus, and daily consumption of this herb, A. keiskei, may be useful to prevent and ameliorate this disease.