Increased glucose metabolism and alpha-glucosidase inhibition inCordyceps militariswater extract-treated HepG2 cells

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVESRecent living condition improvements, changes in dietary habits, and reductions in physical activity are contributing to an increase in metabolic syndrome symptoms including diabetes and obesity. Through such societal developments, humankind is continuously exposed to metabolic diseases such as diabetes, and the number of the victims is increasing. This study investigated Cordyceps militaris water extract (CMW)-induced glucose uptake in HepG2 cells and the effect of CMW treatment on glucose metabolism.MATERIALS/METHODSColorimetric assay kits were used to determine the glucokinase (GK) and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activities, glucose uptake, and glycogen content. Either RT-PCR or western blot analysis was performed for quantitation of glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 alpha (HNF-1α), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3k), protein kinase B (Akt), phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (pAMPK), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, GK, PDH, and glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK-3β) expression levels. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of acarbose and CMW were evaluated by absorbance measurement.RESULTSCMW induced glucose uptake in HepG2 cells by increasing GLUT2 through HNF-1α expression stimulation. Glucose in the cells increased the CMW-induced phosphorylation of AMPK. In turn, glycolysis was stimulated, and glyconeogenesis was inhibited. Furthermore, by studying the mechanism of action of PI3k, Akt, and GSK-3β, and measuring glycogen content, the study confirmed that the glucose was stored in the liver as glycogen. Finally, CMW resulted in a higher level of α-glucosidase inhibitory activity than that from acarbose.CONCLUSIONCMW induced the uptake of glucose into HepG2 cells, as well, it induced metabolism of the absorbed glucose. It is concluded that CMW is a candidate or potential use in diabetes prevention and treatment.

An insight into antidiabetic properties of six medicinal and edible mushrooms: Inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase linked to type-2 diabetes

“…Our study showed that methanolic extract of C. militaris did not inhibit the activity of α-amylase (Table 1), while it had inhibitory potential on α-glucosidase. A recent study showed that water extract of C. militaris had inhibitory activities on α-glucosidase with values of 45.77% with 0.1 mg/mL, 54.76% with 0.25 mg/mL, 58.74% with 0.5 mg/mL, and 60.5% with 1.0 mg/mL (Kim et al, 2017). The organic acid we found previously in higher amounts in C. militaris was citric acid 7.97 g/100 g (Bizarro et al, 2015).…”

Bioassay-guided isolation and identification of antidiabetic compounds from Garcinia cowa leaf extract

“…Compounds 2, 6, and 7 are the main compound with higher α-glucosidase-inhibitory activity than that of acarbose (the positive control). This finding suggested that these compounds may have antidiabetic efficacy and may be further developed as a drug supplement following additional investigation of their activities and safety (Kim et al, 2017).…”

Review: The endless nutritional and pharmaceutical benefits of the Himalayan gold, Cordyceps; Current knowledge and prospective potentials

“…Cordyceps are found to regulate and also lower the blood sugar levels by improving metabolism of glucose and conserving hepatic glycogen (Zhao et al 2002;El-Hagrassi et al 2020). Cordyceps can increase secretion of glucokinase and hexokinase which are glucose regulating enzymes secreted by the liver (Kim et al 2017). Polysaccharides are the key player in showing the hypoglycaemic activity of Cordyceps.…”