Abstract

Protective and Curative Effect of Scoparia dulcis Leave Extract Against Free Fatty Acid Induced Insulin Resistance in Rat L6 Myotubes

Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate the insulin sensitizing effect of Scoparia dulcis (L) leave extract (SDE) against free fatty acid (FFA) induced insulin resistance in an in vitro L6 myotubes.
Materials and Methods: The rat L6 skeletal muscle cells were differentiated to myotubes by treating it with DMEM containing 2% horse serum for 12h. For generating an in vitro cellular model of insulin resistant condition, L6 myotubes were treated with FFA (palmitate) for 4h. Insulin resistant L6 myotubes were either pre- or post treated for 1h with SDE and its insulin sensitivity activity was assessed by measuring cellular glucose uptake and the activation status of insulin signalling pathway molecules. Results: SDE significantly stimulated glucose uptake in L6 myotubes in a dose-dependent manner with maximal effect at 50μg/ml. To investigate the underlying mechanism of effect SDE, we examined the expression and activity of insulin signalling pathway molecules. We found that the SDE treatment notably increased insulin signalling pathway by inducing activatory phosphorylation status of IRS-1 and Akt without altering expression levels of these proteins. The comparative analysis revealed that SDE is more potent than known insulin sensitizer, pioglitazone. Conclusion: These results suggest that induction of insulin signalling pathway and increased glucose uptake activity of SDE will aid in the treatment of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Future studies on the isolation of bioactive components and a detailed investigation in the animal model of insulin resistance may be promising to find out a novel type 2 diabetes drug.


Author(s): Triveni Borgohain, Bhaskarjyoti Gogoi, Alak K. Buragohain and Suman Dasgupta

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