Selective elevation of adiponectin production by the natural compounds derived from a medicinal herb alleviates insulin resistance and glucose intolerance in obese mice.

ABSTRACT: Adiponectin is an adipocyte-derived insulin-sensitizing hormone with antidiabetic, antiinflammatory, and antiatherosclerotic properties. A decreased serum level of adiponectin in obesity has been identified as an independent risk factor for diabetes and cardiovascular complications, suggesting that pharmacological intervention aimed at elevating adiponectin production might hold promise for the treatment and/or prevention of these diseases. Here we report the identification of two structurally related natural compounds (astragaloside II and isoastragaloside I) from the medicinal herb Radix Astragali that possess such an activity. Astragaloside II and isoastragaloside I selectively increased adiponectin secretion in primary adipocytes without any obvious effects on a panel of other adipokin

SUBMITTER: Xu A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2732290 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature