The potential medicinal value of Ma bamboo (Dendrocalamus latiflorus), one of the most popular and economically important bamboo species in
China, has been underestimated. In the present study, we found that D. latiflorus leaf extract (DLE) reduced
fasting blood glucose levels,
body weight, and
low-density lipoprotein cholesterol with low
liver toxicity in db/db
mice. In addition,
gene expression profiling was performed and pathway enrichment
analysis showed that DLE affected
metabolic pathways. Importantly, DLE activated the AKT signaling pathway and reduced
glucose production by downregulating
glucose-6-phosphatase (G6PC) and
phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1) expression. Moreover,
network pharmacology analysis identified
rutin as an active component in DLE through targeting
insulin growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R), an
upstream signaling
transducer of AKT. Due to its
hypoglycemic effects and low
toxicity, DLE may be considered an adjuvant
treatment option for
type 2 diabetes patients.