RESUMO
Objective: To research the effects of astragaloside IV (AST IV) on improving insulin resistance in HepG2 cells, and predict and verify the AST IV possible targets based on pharmacophore model matching and molecular docking. Methods: HepG2 cells insulin resistance model was induced with high concentration insulin. After being interfered by AST IV, the glucose consumption was characterized by glucose test, AST IV possible targets were predicted by pharmacophore model matching and molecular docking, the expressions of related pathway protein were detected by Western blotting. Results: AST IV significantly increased the glucose consumption in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells, the possible target of AST IV may be related to tyrosine phosphotase 1B (PTP1B) based on pharmacophore model matching and molecular docking. The Western blotting results showed that, the level of PTP1B was significantly increased and the levels of p-IR and p-IRS-1 were significantly decreased in insulin-resistant HepG2 cells. The intervention of AST IV decreased the levels of PTP1B, and increased the levels of p-IR and p-IRS-1. Conclusion: AST IV can significantly improve insulin resistance of insulin induced HepG2 cells, and its mechanism is related to inhibiting PTP1B and activating insulin signaling pathways.
