Abstract
Pueraria lobata (Wild.) Ohwi. (P. lobata) flowers known as ‘Kudzu flower’ contain isoflavonoids and essential oil components. They have a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities, including protective effects against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, hyperglycemia, and hypolipidemia, anti-mutagenic effects, and benefits for weight loss. However, the molecular mechanism of these effects remains unclear. Our study aimed to systematically examine the effects of flos puerariae crude extract (FPE) as an anti-diabetic agent using in vitro assays. The cytotoxicity of FPE was evaluated using MTS assay in L6 rat myocyte and 3T3-L1 murine fibroblast cell lines. PPARγ binding activity and adipogenesis were examined using dual-luciferase and differentiation assays, respectively. For investigating the anti-diabetic activity, glucose utilization, including GLUT4 protein expression, glucose uptake assay, and GLUT4 translocation using immunofluorescence microscopy were conducted in L6 cells. Furthermore, we assessed the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of FPE. Our results demonstrated the ability to augment glucose uptake in L6 cells and enhance glucose utilization activity by increasing the expression of glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4). In summary, our findings suggest that FPE may be a potential anti-diabetic substance for the treatment of diabetic patients and can prevent inflammatory or oxidation-related diseases.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic condition with a rapidly increasing prevalence worldwide, currently affecting hundreds of millions of people
Three different doses of flos puerariae crude extract (FPE) were tested for their peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) binding activity and it was found that FPE displayed PPARγ binding activity in a dose-dependent manner
PPARγ acts as a receptor for molecules with anti-diabetic properties and is capable of modulating adipogenesis; plant extracts as well as single compounds are assayed for their PPARγ binding activity to screen those with a potential role in controlling diabetes
Summary
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic condition with a rapidly increasing prevalence worldwide, currently affecting hundreds of millions of people. This multifactorial disease is characterized by hyperglycemia, insulin deficiency, insulin resistance, and/or abnormal insulin secretion. Diabetes can be classified into four categories: type 1 diabetes (T1DM), type 2 diabetes (T2DM), gestational mellitus (GDM), and other specific types of diabetes due to other causes. T2DM is characterized by impaired insulin-mediated glucose clearance in the skeletal muscle, but not always accompanied by dysregulation of hepatic glucose production by insulin. Insulin has dual roles in controlling postprandial glycemia response to a meal and activation of glucose transport into skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, both of which are impaired in T2DM [1].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
