Insulin-Mimetic Activity of Herbal Extracts Identified with Large-Scale Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence Microscopy

Cathrina Neuhauser, Bettina Schwarzinger, Clemens Schwarzinger, Michaela Feichtinger, Verena Stadlbauer, Verena Arnaut, Ivana Drotárová, Bernhard Blank-Landeshammer, Julian Weghuber

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a spreading global pandemic. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the predominant form of diabetes, in which a reduction in blood glucose uptake is caused by impaired glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation to the plasma membrane in adipose and muscle cells. Antihyperglycemic drugs play a pivotal role in ameliorating diabetes symptoms but often are associated with side effects. Hence, novel antidiabetic compounds and nutraceutical candidates are urgently needed. Phytogenic therapy can support the prevention and amelioration of impaired glucose homeostasis. Using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM), 772 plant extracts of an open-access plant extract library were screened for their GLUT4 translocation activation potential, resulting in 9% positive hits. Based on commercial interest and TIRFM assay-based GLUT4 translocation activation, some of these extracts were selected, and their blood glucose-reducing effects in ovo were investigated using a modified hen’s egg test (Gluc-HET). To identify the active plant part, some of the available candidate plants were prepared in-house from blossoms, leaves, stems, or roots and tested. Acacia catechu (catechu), Pulmonaria officinalis (lungwort), Mentha spicata (spearmint), and Saponaria officinalis (common soapwort) revealed their potentials as antidiabetic nutraceuticals, with common soapwort containing GLUT4 translocation-activating saponarin.

Original languageEnglish (American)
Article number2182
JournalNutrients
Volume16
Issue number14
Publication statusPublished - 9 Jul 2024

Keywords

  • Acacia catechu
  • GLUT4 translocation
  • Mentha spicata
  • Pulmonaria officinalis
  • Saponaria officinalis
  • diabetes mellitus
  • insulin-mimetic compounds
  • modified hens egg test (Gluc-HET)
  • total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM)
  • Protein Transport/drug effects
  • Humans
  • Glucose Transporter Type 4/metabolism
  • Animals
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/drug therapy
  • Blood Glucose/drug effects
  • Insulin/metabolism
  • Mice
  • Plant Extracts/pharmacology
  • Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacology
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence

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