Scientific Reports (Apr 2017)

Modulation of glucose metabolism by a natural compound from Chloranthus japonicus via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase

  • Rongkuan Hu,
  • Huan Yan,
  • Xiaoyan Fei,
  • Haiyang Liu,
  • Jiarui Wu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-00925-y
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 7, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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Abstract AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key sensor and regulator of glucose metabolism. Here, we demonstrated that shizukaol F, a natural compound isolated from Chloranthus japonicus, can activate AMPK and modulate glucose metabolism both in vitro and in vivo. Shizukaol F increased glucose uptake in differentiated C2C12 myotubes by stimulating glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4) membraned translocation. Treatment of primary mouse hepatocytes with shizukaol F decreased the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 2 (PEPCK), glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and suppressed hepatic gluconeogenesis. Meanwhile, a single oral dose of shizukaol F reduced gluconeogenesis in C57BL/6 J mice. Further studies indicated that shizukaol F modulates glucose metabolism mainly by AMPKa phosphorylation activity. In addition, we also found that shizukaol F depolarizes the mitochondrial membrane and inhibits respiratory complex I, which may result in AMPK activation. Our results highlight the potential value of shizukaol F as a possible treatment of metabolic syndrome.