Rhaponticin from Rhubarb Rhizomes Alleviates Liver Steatosis and Improves Blood Glucose and Lipid Profiles in KK/Ay Diabetic Mice

Abstract

We isolated several stilbene compounds including rhaponticin (3',5-dihydroxy-4'-methoxystilbene 3- O-beta- D-glucopyranoside) from extracts of rhubarb rhizomes. These compounds showed significant hypoglycemic effects in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetic rats and mice. In this study, we investigated the effect of rhaponticin on glucose utilization, lipid metabolism, and liver and heart function in a KK/Ay type 2 diabetic mouse model. The results showed that oral administration of rhaponticin (125 mg/kg) significantly reduced blood glucose levels and improved oral glucose tolerance of KK/Ay diabetic mice. Elevated plasma triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), cholesterol (CHO), non-esterified free fatty acids (NEFA), and insulin levels were also markedly attenuated. Serum enzymatic activities of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) in the rhaponticin-treated group significantly decreased in comparison to the untreated model group. Livers of rhaponticin-treated mice had relatively normal cellular size and decreased fibrosis and steatosis. In addition, rhaponticin administration caused a remarkable increase in the hepatic glycogen content and a significant reduction in the hepatic triglyceride content. These results indicate that rhaponticin has a noticeable antidiabetic effect and could be potentially used as a new agent to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus and its complications.

Global metabolite profiling and diagnostic ion filtering strategy by LC–QTOF MS for rapid identification of raw and processed pieces of Rheum palmatum L.

“…ex Balf and Rheum officinale Baill, has been used for thousands of years in many countries due to its variety of functions (Huang, Lu, Shen, Chung, & Ong, 2007), such as purgative, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antioxidant, and antitumor (Jelassi et al, 2013;Qin et al, 2011;Suboj et al, 2012). Chemical and pharmacological investigations revealed that phenolic compounds, including anthraquinones, sennosides, stilbenes, and tannins are responsible for its overall therapeutic effects (Chen et al, 2009;Cheng, Wu, Ho, & Yen, 2013;Li, Pan, & Sweet, 2013). Because of its popularity, rhubarb has been officially listed in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, United State Pharmacopoeia and Japanese Pharmacopoeia, etc., named as Radix et Rhizoma Rhei (Pharmaceutical & Food Safety Bureau, 2006; The State Pharmacopoeia Committee of People's Republic of China, 2010;The United States Pharmacopeial Convention, 2010).…”

Adipogenic constituents from the bark of Larix laricina du Roi (K. Koch; Pinaceae), an important medicinal plant used traditionally by the Cree of Eeyou Istchee (Quebec, Canada) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes symptoms

“…Although compounds 2 and 7 were previously identified (Pichette et al, 2006;Chen et al, 2009), this is the first report of such antidiabetic activity. Indeed, there is currently no reported biological activity for 13-epitorulosol (compound 2).…”

“…In addition, significant amounts of rhaponticin (compound 9) were obtained from the fraction LLE-10. The known compounds 2-10 were identified by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those already reported in the literature (Nair and Von Rudloff, 1959;Caputo et al, 1973;Mills, 1973;Markham, 1976;Kashiwada et al, 1984;Rajasekhar and Subbaraju, 2000;Xie et al, 2003;Xue et al, 2004;Yang et al, 2005;Pichette et al, 2006;Chen et al, 2009;Pacheco et al, 2009). The identification of the new compound (compound 1) was conducted by 1D NMR ( 1 H, 13 C, DEPT) and 2D NMR (NOESY, COSY, HMQC and HMBC) analysis, as described further below.…”

Rhapontin ameliorates colonic epithelial dysfunction in experimental colitis through SIRT1 signaling

“…In the present study, rhapontin (3, 3′, 5-trihydroxy-4′-methoxystilbene-3-O-glucoside) is a natural stibene-type compound isolated from the Chinese medicinal herb Rheum undulatum L. and distributed widely in medicinal plants in the Rheum genus (Polygonaceae) [20,21]. Previous studies have shown that rhapontin possesses anti-allergic, anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory activities [22,23,24]. However, the protective effect of rhapontin on colitis has not been reported.…”