A comparative analysis of various flavonoids in the regulation of obesity and diabetes: An in vitro and in vivo study

• Published in: Journal of functional foods 2019-08, Vol.59, p.194-205
• Main Authors: Varshney, Ritu, Mishra, Rutusmita, Das, Neeladrisingha, Sircar, Debabrata, Roy, Partha
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Diabetes; Flavonoids; HFD-STZ mice; Obesity
• ISSN: 1756-4646; 2214-9414
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2019.05.004

Graphical representation showing the anti-obesity and antidiabetic activities of various flavonoids. [Display omitted] •In vitro data showed that kaempferol and quercetin had highest glucose uptake activities.•In vitro data showed that kaempferol and rutin had highest inhibitory effects on adipogenesis.•Kaempferol exhibited the most promising anti-obesity and antidiabetic effects in vivo. In this study, we screened some flavonoids for their anti-obesity and antidiabetic activities. We report that all tested flavonoids were effective in inhibiting the differentiation of pre-adipocytes to mature adipocytes. Additionally, all tested flavonoids were found to be effective in significantly up-regulating GLUT4 expression and glucose uptake, out of which, kaempferol and quercetin showed the best activities. Myricetin and rutin treatment exhibited increased expression of p-Akt whereas, kaempferol and quercetin showed a significant increase in the expression of AMPK phosphorylation (Thr172), indicative of the role of AMPK in inducing glucose uptake. In vivo (HFD-STZ induced diabetic mice), all flavonoids showed a marked reduction in serum triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL and non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) levels in treated mice. Moreover, blood glucose level, glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were significantly improved in response to flavonoids treatment. The present study thus suggested that among above-selected flavonoids kaempferol had most potent antidiabetic and anti-obesity activities.