Abstract
Sophoricoside, an isoflavone glycoside isolated from Sophora japonica (Leguminosae), has been widely reported as an immunomodulator. In this study, the effects of sophoricoside on lipogenesis and glucose consumption in HepG2 cells and C2C12 myotubes were investigated. Treatment with sophoricoside at concentrations of 1–10 μM inhibited lipid accumulation in HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. At the same concentration range, no effect on cell viability was observed in the MTT assay. Inhibition of lipogenesis was associated with the downregulation of SREBP-1a, SREBP-1c, SREBP-2 and their downstream target genes (FAS, ACC, HMGR) as revealed by realtime quantitative PCR. The lipid-lowering effect was mediated via the phosphorylation of AMPK. Further investigation of the activities of this isoflavone showed that sophoricoside has the capability to increase glucose uptake by C2C12 myotubes. It also effectively inhibited the activities of α-glucosidase and α-amylase in vitro and remarkably lowered postprandial hyperglycaemia in starch-loaded C57BL6/J mice. These results suggest that sophoricoside is an effective regulator of lipogenesis and glucose consumption and may find utility in the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Highlights
IntroductionType 2 diabetes (T2DM) is becoming a serious threat to human health in all parts of the World, placing an enormous burden on national healthcare systems, in developing countries [1,2]
Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is becoming a serious threat to human health in all parts of the World, placing an enormous burden on national healthcare systems, in developing countries [1,2].Modernized lifestyles featured by over-nutrition and less-exercise stimulate the increase in the prevalence of obesity and associated metabolic disorders including T2DM
We investigated the effects of sophoricoside on lipid accumulation and glucose consumption in HepG2 cells and C2C12 myotubes, to find potential utility of sophoricoside in the prevention and treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes
Summary
Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is becoming a serious threat to human health in all parts of the World, placing an enormous burden on national healthcare systems, in developing countries [1,2]. Decreasing lipid accumulation in liver through inhibition of lipogenesis or stimulation of lipolysis is beneficial for the prevention and treatment of T2DM. Studies on obesity and diabetes focus on discovering natural functional molecules that have the capability of suppressing the fat accumulation in liver tissues. Previous investigations have demonstrated several biological effects of sophoricoside, such as estrogenic activity [12], anti-oxidation [13], anti-inflammation [14], stimulation of osteoblast proliferation [15], and immunomodulative activity [16]. We investigated the effects of sophoricoside on lipid accumulation and glucose consumption in HepG2 cells and C2C12 myotubes, to find potential utility of sophoricoside in the prevention and treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes
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