In silico design for adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase agonist from traditional chinese medicine for treatment of metabolic syndromes

Soyasapogenol C from Fermented Soybean (Glycine Max) Acting as a Novel AMPK/PPARα Dual Activator Ameliorates Hepatic Steatosis: A Novel SANDA Methodology

(1) Background: Soyasapogenol C (SSC), a derivative of soyasapogenol B (SSB), is specifically found high in many fermented soybean (Glycine max) products, including Cheonggukjang (in Korean). However, the biological activities for preventing and treating hepatic steatosis, and the precise underlying mechanisms of SSC, remain to be explored. (2) Methods: A novel SANDA (structural screening, ADMET prediction, network pharmacology, docking validation, and activity evaluation) methodology was used to examine whether SSC exerts hepatoprotective effects in silico and in vitro. (3) Results: SSC had better ADMET characteristics and a higher binding affinity with predicted targets chosen from network pathway analysis than SSB. SSC induced the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and stimulated the nuclear translocation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), further enhancing PPAR response element (PPRE) binding activity in HepG2 cells. Concurrently, SSC significantly inhibited triglyceride accumulation, which was associated with the suppression of lipogenesis genes and the enhancement of fatty acid oxidation gene expression in HepG2 cells. (4) Conclusions: Soyasapogenol C, discovered using a novel SANDA methodology from fermented soybean, is a novel AMPK/PPARα dual activator that is effective against hepatic steatosis. Dietary supplementation with soyasapogenol C may prevent the development of hepatic steatosis and other diseases associated with fat accumulation in the liver.

The effects of naringenin and naringin on the glucose uptake and AMPK phosphorylation in high glucose treated HepG2 cells

Background

Naringin and its aglycone naringenin are citrus-derived flavonoids with several pharmacological effects. On the other hand, the mechanism for the anti-diabetic effects of naringenin and naringin are controversial and remain to be clarified further.

Objective

This study examined the relationship between glucose uptake and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation by naringenin and naringin in high glucose-treated HepG2 cells.

Methods

Glucose uptake was measured using the 2-NBDG fluorescent D-glucose analog. The phosphorylation levels of AMPK and GSK3β (Glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta) were observed by Western blotting. Molecular docking analysis was performed to evaluate the binding affinity of naringenin and naringin to the γ-subunit of AMPK.

Results

The treatment with naringenin and naringin stimulated glucose uptake regardless of insulin stimulation in high glucose-treated HepG2 cells. Both flavonoids increased glucose uptake by promoting the phosphorylation of AMPK at Thr172 and increased the phosphorylation of GSK3β. Molecular docking analysis showed that both naringenin and naringin bind to the γ-subunit of AMPK with high binding affinities. In particular, naringin showed higher binding affinity than the true modulator, AMP with all three CBS domains (CBS1, 3, and 4) in the γ-subunit of AMPK. Therefore, both naringenin and naringin could be positive modulators of AMPK activation, which enhance glucose uptake regardless of insulin stimulation in high glucose-treated HepG2 cells.

Conclusions

The increased phosphorylation of AMPK at Thr172 by naringenin and naringin might enhance glucose uptake regardless of insulin stimulation in high glucose treated HepG2 cells.

Enhanced phosphorylation of AMPK by lutein and oxidised lutein that lead to mitochondrial biogenesis in hyperglycemic HepG2 cells

The stimulation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a prime target to decrease the hyperglycemic condition, hence it is a lutein (L) and oxidised lutein (OXL) is a target molecule for the treatment of type II diabetes. In the current study, a plausible interaction of L and OXL with AMPK was investigated by molecular docking. In addition, the effect of L and OXL for the activation of AMPK that triggers the downstream regulator peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α), TFAM expression, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), mitochondrial biogenesis and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) in high glucose treated HepG2 cells were investigated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. Molecular docking reveals higher binding affinity of L (ΔG = -6.3 kcal/mol) and OXL (ΔG = -15.5 kcal/mol) with AMPK, compared with metformin (ΔG = -5.0 kcal/mol). The phosphorylation of AMPK increased by 1.3- and 1.5-fold with L and OXL treatment, respectively, in high glucose induced HepG2 cells. The activation of PGC-1α is significant (P < 0.05) in OXL group than L. Similarly, TFAM expression is increased with L and OXL compared with the high glucose group. Further increase in SOD2 and mtDNA, confirms the efficacy of L and OXL in restoring the mitochondrial biogenesis in high glucose induced cells through AMPK, PGC-1α, and TFAM.

The effect of flour from the rind of the yellow passion fruit on glycemic control of people with diabetes mellitus type 2: a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

The single or combined use of herbal and dietary products with medications has shown benefits in the metabolic modulation of carbohydrates, in the restoring of the function of pancreatic beta cells, and in insulin resistance. To analyze the effect of the use of flour made from the rind of the yellow passion fruit on the glycemic control of people with diabetes mellitus type 2.

METHODS

An open, prospective, randomized clinical trial was undertaken with 54 participants over an eight-week period. The participants from the case group were advised to ingest 12 g of the flour, three times daily; before breakfast, lunch and dinner.

RESULTS

After eight weeks of use of the flour made from the rind of the yellow passion fruit, we did not identify significant statistical differences in the values for capillary blood glucose (p = 0.562), fasting blood glucose (p = 0.268) or glycated hemoglobin (p = 0.229) between the study groups. In the case group, we identified an increase (29.6%-37%) of the people with normal HbA1_c; however, this did not have statistical relevance (p = 0.274).

DISCUSSION

Based in our findings, we believe it is important to extend the time of exposure to the intervention and increase the rigor in the monitoring of adherence in future studies on this topic. Only in this way will we be able to make confident inferences in relation to the use of flour made from the rind of theyellow passion fruit as a therapeutic tool for glycemic and/or metabolic control in persons with DM 2.

CONCLUSIONS

In the sample in question, the use of the flour made from the rind of the yellow passion fruit, over an eight-week period, did not improve the glycemic control of people with type 2 diabetes. Trial registration: U1111.1187.3616. Registered 6 September, retrospectively registered, in the Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry.

System analysis of LWDH related genes based on text mining in biological networks

Liuwei-dihuang (LWDH) is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), but its molecular mechanism about gene interactions is unclear. LWDH genes were extracted from the existing literatures based on text mining technology. To simulate the complex molecular interactions that occur in the whole body, protein-protein interaction networks (PPINs) were constructed and the topological properties of LWDH genes were analyzed. LWDH genes have higher centrality properties and may play important roles in the complex biological network environment. It was also found that the distances within LWDH genes are smaller than expected, which means that the communication of LWDH genes during the biological process is rapid and effectual. At last, a comprehensive network of LWDH genes, including the related drugs and regulatory pathways at both the transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels, was constructed and analyzed. The biological network analysis strategy used in this study may be helpful for the understanding of molecular mechanism of TCM.