Methyl Caffeate Isolated from the Flowers of Prunus persica (L.) Batsch Enhances Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion

Abstract

Phenolic compounds from natural products are considered effective enhancers of insulin secretion to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The flowers of Prunus persica (L.) Batsch also contain many phenolic compounds. In this study, the extract of flowers of P. persica (PRPE) exhibited an insulin secretion effect in a glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) assay, which led us to isolate and identify the bioactive compound(s) responsible for these effects. Compounds isolated from PRPE were screened for their efficacy in INS-1 rat pancreatic β-cells. Among them, caffeic acid (5), methyl caffeate (6), ferulic acid (7), chlorogenic acid (8), naringenin (11), nicotiflorin (12), and astragalin (13) isolated from PRPE increased GSIS without inducing cytotoxicity. Interestingly, the GSIS effect of methyl caffeate (6) as a phenolic compound was similar to gliclazide, an antidiabetic sulfonylurea drug. Western blot assay showed that methyl caffeate (6) enhanced the related signaling proteins of the activated pancreatic and duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX-1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), but also the phosphorylation of the total insulin receptor substrate-2 (IRS-2), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), and Akt, which influence β-cell function and insulin secretion. This study provides evidence that methyl caffeate (6) isolated from PRPE may aid in the management of T2DM.

Exploring the molecular mechanism of Gan Shuang granules for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis using network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental verification

“…Among them, nicotinic acid and resveratrol ( Che et al, 2020 ) were able to significantly improve the pathological changes in NAFLD and reduce lipid accumulation in the liver ( Kashyap et al, 2019 ; Tejada et al, 2021 ). Methyl caffeate ( Shin et al, 2004 ; Jantas et al, 2020 ; Lee et al, 2021 ), chlorogenic acid ( Shi et al, 2013 ; Shi et al, 2016 ; He et al, 2021 ; Shi et al, 2021 ), and trigonelline ( Zhang D. F. et al, 2015a ; Afifi et al, 2017 ; Costa et al, 2020 ) have good biological properties of anti-inflammation, antioxidation, increased insulin secretion, protected liver function, and improved liver injury.…”

Identification of a Hydroxygallic Acid Derivative, Zingibroside R1 and a Sterol Lipid as Potential Active Ingredients of Cuscuta chinensis Extract That Has Neuroprotective and Antioxidant Effects in Aged Caenorhabditis elegans

“…Astragalin (kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucoside) is a naturally occurring flavonoid that has been isolated and identified in several plants [ 129 ], such as Prunus persica [ 130 ], Lespedeza cuneata [ 131 ], Moringa oleifera Lam [ 132 ] Astragalus membranaceus root [ 133 ], Allium ursinum [ 134 ], C . chinensis and Cuscuta australis [ 135 ].…”

Targeting the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in pancreatic β‐cells to enhance their survival and function: An emerging therapeutic strategy for type 1 diabetes

“…These agents have been shown to protect β‐cells from injury and apoptosis in vivo, such as in high‐fat‐diet (HFD) 77 and HFD/STZ 78‐80 murine models, and in vitro under pro‐inflammatory conditions following exposure to STZ 81 or inducers of oxidative 82,83 and endoplasmic reticulum stress 75 . They also exert beneficial β‐cell effects under basal conditions by enhancing glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion 84 . All these positive effects were mediated by regulation of PI3K/Akt signaling and its associated pathways.…”

“… 75 They also exert beneficial β‐cell effects under basal conditions by enhancing glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion. 84 All these positive effects were mediated by regulation of PI3K/Akt signaling and its associated pathways.…”