Hypoglycemic effect of berberis microphylla G forst root extract

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of the root extract of Berberis microphylla on glucose uptake and AMPK-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity in non-resistant and insulin-resistant HepG2 cells. Methods: B. microphylla root was extracted with absolute ethanol, filtered, concentrated and lyophilized. Subsequently, liver cells, HepG2 (resistant and non-insulin resistant), were exposed for 24 h to different concentrations of the extract (10, 5, 2.5 and 1.25 x 10-3 μg/μL) to determine the stimulation of glucose uptake and phosphorylation of AMPK. Results: In HepG2 cells without resistance exposed to B. microphylla root extract, glucose uptake varied from 34 to 59 % of the available glucose while AMPK phosphorylation was 1.9 to 3.6 times the phosphorylation of the control. In insulin-resistant HepG2 cells, glucose uptake varied from 68 to 95 % of available glucose while AMPK phosphorylation was 1.8 to 3.3 times the phosphorylation of the control. Conclusion: The root extract of B. microphylla possesses hypoglycemic effects and stimulates glucose uptake in HepG2 cells with and without resistance by activating AMPK protein.