Acanthopanax trifoliatus (L.) Merr polysaccharides ameliorates hyperglycemia by regulating hepatic glycogen metabolism in type 2 diabetic mice.

Introduction: Drug monotherapy was inadequate in controlling blood glucose levels and other comorbidities. An agent that selectively tunes multiple targets was regarded as a new therapeutic strategy for type 2 diabetes. Acanthopanax trifoliatus (L.) Merr polysaccharide (ATMP) is a bio-macromolecule isolated from Acanthopanax trifoliatus (L.) Merr and has therapeutic potential for diabetes management due to its anti-hyperglycemia activity. Methods: Type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced in mice using streptozotocin, and 40 and 80 mg/kg ATMP was administered daily via the intragastric route for 8 weeks. Food intake, water intake, and body weight were recorded. The fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FINS) and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were performed. Histological changes in the liver and pancreas were analyzed by H&E staining. The mRNA and the protein levels of key factors involved in glycogen synthesis, glycogenolysis, and gluconeogenesis were measured by quantitative real time PCR and Western blotting. Results: In this study, we found that ATMP could effectively improve glucose tolerance and alleviate insulin resistance by promoting insulin secretion and inhibiting glucagon secretion. In addition, ATMP decreases glycogen synthesis by inhibiting PI3K/Akt/GSK3ß signaling, reduces glycogenolysis via suppressing cAMP/PKA signaling, and suppresses liver gluconeogenesis by activating AMPK signaling. Conclusion: Together, ATMP has the potential to be developed as a new multitargets therapeutics for type 2 diabetes.

Immunoregulatory Effect of Acanthopanax trifoliatus (L.) Merr. Polysaccharide on T1DM Mice.

BACKGROUND: Acanthopanax trifoliatus (L.) Merr. is a medicinal plant found in Southeast Asia, and its young leaves and shoots are consumed as a vegetable. The main bioactive components of this herb are polysaccharides that have significant anti-diabetic effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the immunoregulatory effect of A. trifoliatus (L.) Merr. polysaccharide (ATMP) on a mouse model of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). METHODS: The monosaccharide composition and mean molecular mass of ATMP were determined by HPLC and HPGPC. T1DM was induced in mice using STZ, and 35, 70 and 140mg/kg ATMP was administered daily via the intragastric route for six weeks. Untreated and metformin-treated positive control groups were also included. The body weight of the mice, food and water intake and fasting glucose levels were monitored throughout the 6-week regimen. Histological changes in the pancreas and spleen were analyzed by H&E staining. Oral glucose tolerance was evaluated with the appropriate test. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) mRNA and protein levels in the spleen were measured by quantitative real time PCR and Western blotting. IL-10, IFN-γ and insulin levels in the sera were determined by ELISA. The CD4+ and CD8+T cells in spleen tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC). RESULTS: ATMP and metformin significantly decreased fasting blood glucose, and the food and water intake after 6 weeks of treatment. In contrast, serum insulin levels, glucose tolerance and body weight improved considerably in the high and medium-dose ATMP and metformin groups. T1DM was associated with pancreatic and splenic tissue damage. The high dose (140mg/kg) of ATMP reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells into the pancreas and restored the structure of islet ß-cells in the diabetic mice. Consistent with this, 35, 70 and 140mg/kg ATMP increased IL-10 levels and decreased that of IFN-γ, thereby restoring the CD4+/CD8+ and Th1/Th2 cytokine ratio. At the molecular level, high-dose ATMP up-regulated PPARγ in the splenic cells. CONCLUSION: ATMP exerts a hypoglycemic effect in diabetic mice by restoring the immune balance in the spleen.

Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and hemostatic activities of Acanthopanax trifoliatus (L.) merr.

Acanthopanax trifoliatus (L.) Merr (AT) is a medicinal and edible plant with high nutritional value. The biological activity of A. trifoliatus (L.) Merr and its basis for injury treatment are explored in this paper. AT was ethanol-extracted then refined separately with petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol. Active ingredients were analyzed, and anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and hemostatic effects were explored. Petroleum ether layer (PEL) extract produced the strongest antibacterial effect. Ethyl acetate layer (EAL) extract had the highest active substance content, with strong hemostatic and analgesic activities. Chloroform layer (CL) extract had the strongest anti-inflammatory effect and significantly reduced IL-1ß protein expression. Active ingredients were analyzed using HPLC and UPLC-MS to determine saponin, polyphenol, flavonoid, and characteristic ingredient contents. EAL extract had the highest polyphenol and flavonoid levels, including rutin, chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, and isochlorogenic acid C, which may contribute to its nutritional activities. The study provides a reliable theoretical and practical basis for the applications of AT nutraceutical products.

Isolation, purification and anti-oxidant activity of polysaccharides from Acanthopanax trifoliatus / 中草药

Objective To extract, isolate and purify the polysaccharides from Acanthopanax trifoliatus (ATP), determine the monosaccharide composition and molecular weight distribution of ATP, and evaluate its anti-oxidant activity in vitro. Methods ATPs were prepared by water extraction ethanol precipitation. Sevage deproteinization, DEAE-cellulose 52, and Sephadex G-50 column chromatography were applied for the further isolation and purification of polysaccharides. Then, the monosaccharide composition and mean molecular mass of ATP were analyzed by HPLC and HPGPC. The antioxidant activity of ATP was evaluated through the scavenging capabilities of DPPH∙, ABTS+∙, ∙OH and O[a formular is presented] free radicals. Results A neutral homogeneous polysaccharide (ATP1-1) and two acidic polysaccharides (ATP2 and ATP3) were obtained by column chromatography. According to the HPLC analysis, ATP1-1 consists of glucose, galactose, mannose and rhamnose. ATP2 consists of glucuronic acid, glucose, galactose, arabinose, mannose, and rhamnose. ATP3 was composed of rhamnose, glucuronic acid, glucose, galactose, and arabinose. ATP1-1 with the average molecular mass of 2 310, had obvious effect on scavenging ability of DPPH∙, ABTS+∙, ∙OH and O[a formular is presented] free radicals, with IC50 values of 0.042 4, 0.007 9, 2.313 6, and 1.753 0 mg/mL, respectively. Conclusion ATP1-1 displayed obvious anti-oxidant activity with a good dose-effect relationship.