Research article summary (published 30 Aug 2005):

The hypoglycaemic activity of fenugreek seed extract is mediated through the stimulation of an insulin signalling pathway.

Full Abstract

The in vivo hypoglycaemic activity of a dialysed fenugreek seed extract (FSE) was studied in alloxan (AXN)-induced diabetic mice and found to be comparable to that of insulin (1.5 U kg(-1)). FSE also improved intraperitoneal glucose tolerance in normal mice. The mechanism by which FSE attenuated hyperglycaemia was investigated in vitro. FSE stimulated glucose uptake in CHO-HIRc-mycGLUT4eGFP cells in a dose-dependent manner. This effect was shown to be mediated by the translocation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) from the intracellular space to the plasma membrane. These effects of FSE on GLUT4 translocation and glucose uptake were inhibited by wortmannin, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) inhibitor, and bisindolylmaleimide 1, a protein kinase C (PKC)-specific inhibitor. In vitro phosphorylation analysis revealed that, like insulin, FSE also induces tyrosine phosphorylation of a number of proteins including the insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate 1 and p85 subunit of PI3-K, in both 3T3-L1 adipocytes and human hepatoma cells, HepG2. However, unlike insulin, FSE had no effect on protein kinase B (Akt) activation. These results suggest that in vivo the hypoglycaemic effect of FSE is mediated, at least in part, by the activation of an insulin signalling pathway in adipocytes and liver cells.

Author information

Author/s: Vijayakumar, Maleppillil Vavachan (MV); Singh, Sandeep (S); Chhipa, Rishi Raj (RR); Bhat, Manoj Kumar (MK);

Affiliation: National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind, India.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: British journal of pharmacology (Br J Pharmacol), published in England. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2005-Sep; vol 146 (issue 1) : pp 41-8

Dates: Created 2005/09/01; Completed 2005/12/09; Revised 2009/11/03;

PMID: 15980869, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/3/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

3T3 Cells Alloxan Animals Blood Glucose - drug effects Cell Line, Tumor Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - chemically induced; metabolism Glucose Tolerance Test Humans Hypoglycemic Agents - pharmacology

Hypoglycemic Agents - pharmacology Insulin - metabolism Male Mice Plant Extracts - pharmacology Protein Kinase C - metabolism Seeds - chemistry Signal Transduction Trigonella - chemistry

Associated Chemicals: Blood Glucose (0) ; Hypoglycemic Agents (0) ; Plant Extracts (0) ; Insulin (11061-68-0) ; Alloxan (50-71-5) ; Protein Kinase C (EC 2.7.11.13)

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