Effect of saponins from Helicteres isora on lipid and glucose metabolism regulating genes expression (original) (raw)

2009, Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Ethnopharmacological relevance: We characterized saponins as active constituents from traditionally used antidiabetic plant Helicteres isora. Aim of the study: To evaluate the changes in the gene expression of the glucose and lipid metabolism regulating genes in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice. Materials and methods: C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice were divided into four different groups; one diabetic control, the mice in other three groups were treated with methanol extract (100 mg/kg), saponins (100 mg/kg) and pioglitazone (30 mg/kg) for 14 days. After completion of the treatment period biochemical parameters and the expression levels of adipsin, adiponectin, glucose transporter 4 (Glut4), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPAR␥), fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) in adipose tissue and for liver RNA samples glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), glucose transporter 2 (Glut2) and acyl-co-enzyme A oxidase (ACOX) were determined by quantitative real time PCR and angiopoeitin like 3 (ANGPTL3), angiopoeitin like 4 (ANGPTL4) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPAR␣) by semiquantitative reverse transcription PCR. Results: Treatment caused a significant reduction in the serum lipid and glucose levels and increased the expression of adipsin, PPAR␥ and Glut4 while reduced expression of FABP4 and G6Pase, whereas there was no effect on the expression levels of adiponectin, LPL, PEPCK, ACOX, Glut2, ANGPTL3, ANGPTL4 and PPAR␣. Conclusions: Saponins are beneficial for improving hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia by increasing the gene expression of adipsin, Glut4 and PPAR␥ and reducing the gene expression of the enzyme G6Pase and FABP4 in C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice.